Top Tip for Tailoring your Job Applications
The problem
When hiring managers and recruiters look at a candidate’s CV there are a few things that they primarily look for. Years of relevant experience, time spent with a certain technology, tenure as a team leader etc. Of course all of these requirements change from job to job. A tech savvy Python programmer’s CV may have some difficulty in standing out in an application for an Inside Sales position or vice versa. Even if the candidate knows he has the right skills and the know-how, his CV goes to the bottom of the pile. Not out of disrespect for the work that applicant has done but for the lack of relevant experience. What did this applicant do wrong? This applicant most likely did not tailor their CV for the job they applied for.
Why is it a problem?
It's easy to see why this is an issue. When between jobs or seeking new employment, it's common practice to apply for a large number of roles at the same time. After all, why not improve your odds of getting a call back by spreading your bets like this. While this certainly is a good way to seek employment, it can often generate a poor response rate. This is likely caused by a CV being not quite right or relevant for the role at hand. However, editing your CV for every single application you make can seem a daunting task. How can we create more effective and relevant applications to employers without spending too much time, especially if seeking new work while still employed?
The Solution
As mentioned previous, when Hiring Managers review CVs, they look for key bits of qualifying information. Examples include years of experience, experience with certain software, technologies, management skills etc. Often this information is processed very quickly by the presence of specific keywords on the CV. Making sure you have the right keywords on your CV for the role you are applying for is key for your profile to be seriously considered. If a candidate wants to apply for a German speaking SaaS sales role without declaring their fluency in German or years of relevant SaaS experience, there is a slim chance that they will make it through to the next stage. So how do we figure out what keywords we need?
Why, from the job description of course!
Contrary to what many might think, job descriptions and specifications are usually quite carefully crafted in order to attract the most qualified and suitable candidates. They are even sometimes crafted to ensure that a candidate’s working culture and ethos is a match. Study job specifications well. Pick out key features such as details about day-to-day life in the role and specific requirements in the Qualifications section. In addition to this, adapt any details and experience that may be less relevant to better support your argument about why you should be considered. After all, the job of a CV is to get you to your first interview and nothing else. An employer, more often than not, wants cold hard facts about why you are perfect for the role. Give them this information while keeping it all relevant in the context of the role.
The results
Usually, adapting the text on your CV is quick depending on how much practice you get in doing it. CVs that contain bullet point summaries of work experience are helpful as they are not only easier to change but also can be processed far more quickly by hiring managers than a wall of text. There is no doubt that these adaptations do take a little time but they will inevitably result in more interest from Hiring Managers and more importantly, more Interviews.