Applying For a Job
Job adverts can appear in a huge variety of places, from shop windows, to job centres, from radio ads to newspapers. Wherever the advert is placed or heard, it should make it clear what the job is and how to apply. The simplest way of advertising a job, and finding potential employees may be just ‘apply within’ – just pop in for a chat, and maybe start work tomorrow. But applying for jobs can get a lot more complicated. Some employers may want a CV, plus completed application form, plus a letter of application. These documents need to be carefully prepared to give the candidate the best chance of winning an interview, and impressing the potential employer.
Letter of Application
Many jobs will require the candidate to complete a letter of application. This needs to be formally laid out, make clear the position applied for, and give a summary of why the applicant is suitable. The applicant needs to be careful with their spelling and language used; one definite way of turning off a potential employer is a series of spelling mistakes and the use of non formal language.
Look at the two letters of application below for the job advertised. Which candidate would you invite to interview, and why?
Advert
JUNIOR CLERK - We require. an enthusiastic junior assistant (16-18) for our office in Cardiff. This is a permanent position with very good career prospects. Attractive salary and conditions of service are offered. No experience necessary but some background in general office duties or qualifications in business skills an advantage.
Please send letter of application with copies of references. to:
The Personnel Officer
Cymru Enterprises
P.O. Box 100
Cardiff CF1
Closing date: 18th September
Replies
Applicant 1
The Personal Officer
Cymrus Ent
P.O. Box 100
Cardiff CF1
Dear Sir
JUNIOR CLERK
I wish to apply for the above job which you recently advertised.
I am a very enthusiastic young person who is keen in working for an big firm like yours. My references are in the envelope.
Thank you reading my letter
Yours,
Steve Humbolt.
Applicant 2
The Personnel Officer
Cymru Enterprises
P.O. Box 100
Cardiff CF1
Dear Sir/Madam
Refer to your advertisement in last Saturday's "Cardiff News" for the position of Junior Clerk, and I feel that I have the necessary skills for this position.
Spending several weeks during my school holidays on work experience, working in the offices of a large firm, I am confident that I am suited to this particular work situation. I have also studied for an OCR diploma in Business Studies, (full details in my enclosed CV). My references as requested are also enclosed. I look forward to the opportunity of interview
.
Please note that I can be contacted by telephone on 01792 2000033
Yours faithfully
Jayne Hughes
CV –Curriculum Vitae.
Both letters of application refer to the candidates CV. A CV is a record of a person’s educational and career achievements. So it will include all qualifications gained plus summary details of previous employment and the responsibilities held. It should contain personal details, plus a brief paragraph on interests outside of work.
A good CV will in a couple of pages paint a picture of the candidate. An example CV template is on page 4 of these notes.
Short listing
It will be the role of the personnel department to initially sort through the applications and to produce a shortlist for interview. A typical shortlist will probably be made up of the best 4 or 5 candidates and it is these applicants that are invited to interview.
Preparing for Interviews
You may have seen the interview section on The Apprentice—when candidates who have made it all the way to the last four are badly caught out because they know nothing about Alan Sugar’s businesses. Answers to questions on this subject have gained responses like—’I think he makes computers’, ‘electronics, his firm makes phones’. Both answers were completely wrong!
How can anyone be so unprepared? A simple internet search would have given them a depth of information, so the first thing to do before interview is research the company, find out what it does, how many people it employs, what products it sells, what service it provides.
Interviews
Interviews can be one-to-one, just the applicant and the interviewer, often a manager, or perhaps in a small business, the business owner. In big firms interviews are often best carried out by a panel consisting of a specialist personnel manager, a manager from the department the person is applying to and an independent member. This would allow an all-round picture of the candidate be arrived at. The actual choice of candidates may not just depend on interview, the application process can also contain tests for personality and aptitude- teacher interviews often include the presentation of a lesson to a class.
The interview is very important, those doing the interviewing should try to create a formal but non intimidating atmosphere, after all they want the candidate to show what they are capable of. An effective interview will allow the candidate to demonstrate their skills, and intelligence and their suitability for the work. Also the interview allows the candidate to find out a great deal more about the job and the tasks involved, the company and the people he or she is likely to be working with.
The interview will also allow the interviewers to judge the personality of the applicant, and come to an opinion whether the candidate is the type of person they want to work for the business. Some candidates find interviews very difficult, and for these their true abilities may be hidden by shyness or nerves.
After the interview the candidate may be asked to wait to hear a final decision, or be told to expect a letter saying whether they have been successful or not.