Breaking down the shortlisting barriers
Having read a study conducted by Unison, I can’t help but think they got it wrong. The study reveals that on average four people apply for each vacancy advertised in the UK but I hear stories of hundreds of applicants going for the same job.
Given the challenges of the jobs market, what can you do to improve your chances of getting yourself noticed by a prospective employer and placed on the shortlist for that vacancy?
I think being realistic is a key starting point. Before you apply for a job, have a look at the job description/person specification and ask yourself whether the job is a good fit for you. Preparing a good job application takes time and effort and if you don’t have the skills and experience that the role needs then this can be time wasted. It is tempting to apply for everything under the sun, but be selective and apply for those jobs that reflect what you can offer.
So you have found the ideal job that seems to have been created with you in mind. When potential employers shortlist applicants they are looking for those who show that they meet the criteria for the job. You have a limited amount of words and space to demonstrate this so make the most of it by providing evidence that you have the skills and experience required.
Do this by giving examples of the things you have done that reflect the job requirements; rather than just telling the shortlister that you have particular skills, show how you have applied these skills; that way you provide evidence that you know how to use them.
Using the STAR approach can help you to do this: Describe the Situation, Task, Your Action and the Result. Make sure you put more emphasis on your actions and the results of your actions though, as these are the most important bits.
Remember also to write in first person, rather than talking about ‘we.’ Even if you undertook a project as part of a team, focus on your contribution as it is this that shows you have the skills and experience that the shortlister is looking for.
Don’t forget to think about the presentation of your application. Use paragraphs and headings and explain yourself clearly in sentences. If you are asked to fill in an application form, don’t send your CV instead. On the other hand, don’t ask the shortlister to search for your information. I recently advertised for an Associate role and one applicant just signposted me to their LinkedIn profile, rather than providing me with a CV and a covering letter as I had requested. The LinkedIn profile may be useful but I was shortlisting against information provided in the CV and covering letter.
Finally, make sure you read and check your application for spelling and grammar; perhaps ask someone else to read it through as well. Remember you are looking to make an instant impression and errors in spelling and grammar make you look unprofessional.
This might all seem common sense, but sometimes it helps to have a reminder and it is surprising how many applications I have seen that don’t follow this kind of best practice.
Let me know if you have any other helpful tips or ideas on getting through the shortlisting process.
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