Written Applications

Have you ever wondered how long recruiters spend looking at your job application? Or if they really do look at your social media? Watch this video from SEEK to find out what recruiters really think about job seekers, so you can learn about common pitfalls:

What do employers want from you?

Employer’s requirements will vary, so it is important to read and understand what information and documents you will need to supply. When applying for work, one size does not fit all. Some of the most common requirements are:

• Cover letter (one page) and resume – although this may sound like an easy option, it means you must provide all of your information in a concise format whilst covering the essential requirements of the role, and demonstrating how you can meet those requirements.
• Cover letter (maximum two pages) addressing the key capabilities of the role and outlining your motivation and your resume – you will need to ensure you provide examples of how your skills, knowledge and attributes meet the role requirements, as well as demonstrating your motivation for joining the organisation in a cover letter format.
• Cover letter, resume, academic transcript, separate document addressing selection criteria, answering specific questions, or providing a pitch – this process is often used by government departments and large organisations and allows candidates to expand on information in their cover letter and resume by providing clear examples of how their skills and experience will assist them to be successful in the role.

Writing a job application

Developing a competitive written application is the first step in securing an interview. Successful job seekers know how to create an application that is tailored to the position and can clearly demonstrate the skills, knowledge and abilities relevant to the role.

Communication skills are rated highly by employers and your first communication with them – your job application – is your chance to demonstrate your skills and impress.

Many organisations use online applications in their recruitment processes to help them to manage the large number of candidates.

The key to success is to be prepared and targeted.

Here are some tips to help you with online applications:

• Applicants usually need to set up an account on the employer’s website.
• Some online processes require candidates to complete the application in one session, while others allow you to save your application and return to it later.
• Check if you can preview the application format before you begin. This will help you to gather all the relevant information you need. For example you will need to develop a resume targeted to the specific job requirements with details of your education, including your work integrated learning, internship, capstone projects, research projects, previous employment and extra-curricular activities, such as volunteering experience, involvement in projects, online platforms (e.g. GitHub).
• Prepare relevant examples of your skills, abilities and experience that relates to the role and demonstrates you are a competitive candidate.
• Target your responses to this role and this employer – do not cut and paste from previous applications.  You need to meet the employer’s specific expectations and requirements.
• Research the role and organisation and be ready to incorporate this into your responses.  You can also view their social media sites, such as LinkedIn and Facebook for information on their latest projects and staff development.
• Draft answers for possible questions into Word documents.  This will allow you to edit and spellcheck before pasting into the online form.
• Check word limits and try to be close to the limit (but not over). You want to give a full answer and not undersell yourself.  Answer all the questions, even optional ones.
• There could be questions similar to:
  • Tell us why you chose your discipline/field of study
  • Tell us what you can bring to our organisation

Writing job applications for robots to read

Employers may use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and you need to learn how to prepare your application to outsmart the robots.  ATS software is used to screen online applications and only those matching predetermined keywords and phrases will progress to the next stage of recruitment where a human will read the application.

Beat the robots:

• Research the employer’s website, the role description, and job advert to familiarise yourself with possible keywords. Use this language throughout your application – in your cover letter, resume and written responses. Make sure you include all the skills and requirements for the job – the higher the number of keywords, the better your chance of progressing, but take care not to over-do it. Some ATS software can assess the context of keywords and phrases, so your application must still make sense.
• Text not graphics – the ATS will be looking for matches for keywords. The software may not read text in tables, photos, Clipart, graphics, colours, or fancy fonts. The use of these could result in your application looking blank or unreadable.
• Simple, clean font and uncluttered format – this will increase the chance that the ATS will be able to read your application.
• Full words – do not use abbreviations, jargon or slang.
• Tailor your career objective/profile/summary to include keywords.
• Answer questions fully – some online questions will only allow a yes or no answer, but where there is a text box, try to answer with a well thought out response that includes some keywords.
• Check for errors – the ATS may not be able to work out what you are saying if the spelling is incorrect.