Responding to advertisements
Most people know that there is a lot of competition with advertised vacancies:
- 15% of applicants are offered an interview
- 5% make the shortlist
- only one person gets the job
…but if you have the required skills, you have a good chance of making the shortlist.
The secret of success
Too many people apply for too many of the wrong jobs. How can you avoid falling into this trap?
With advertised opportunities, remember:
- every word is there for a reason.
- read the text carefully and be honest with yourself about how you match the job profile and candidate spec.
- do not waste your time (or the recruiter’s) by applying unless you match at least 90% of the key points in the candidate spec. If you are not sure about your fit, call and ask for clarification.
Don’t neglect the basics
Other simple but important points are:
- always attach a covering letter or e-mail (just one page) with your CV.
- follow the response instructions exactly, including reference numbers, salary details, location preferences as requested.
- make sure you can be contacted easily: mobile phones (sort out the voicemail message) and e-mail are the main channels.
