CRAFTING EFFECTIVE JOB APPLICATIONS
STEP 3 If you have 30 minutes: • Draft a cover letter, but try not to copy a generic template – employers can spot these letters a mile away. Write a new one for each position, and your application will be received positively • Take time to read up about your chosen career sector in the news. Understanding more about the industry will help you get the hang of tailoring your applications to fit a desired position • Use the time to thoroughly proofread your resume as well
If you have an hour: • Visit your career services centre and attend a session with your advisor that can help you increase your employability • Begin an application from scratch. If you do not have the time to finish it, save it to complete later. Avoid trying to rush through it as you’ll be more prone to making mistakes or leaving out something important
Be positive and keep applying Remain upbeat when applying for jobs as you stand a very high chance of facing rejection – you aren’t the only one applying! Do your best in any interview session, and remember there’s no need to feel disappointed if it isn’t followed by a letter of offer. Keep in mind that at the end of the day, you’ll be able to get a job that’ll suit your personality and skill set!
STEP 4 Get a foot in It can be frustrating if you don’t get an offer letter from your desired company, but if another job in the same industry comes your way – perhaps from a company or for a position you’re not particularly enthusiastic about – what do you do? Gaining experience is definitely high on the priority list, but at the same time, nothing about the job might actually be your cup of tea. One solution to this is to take the offer that comes your way. As difficult as it may sound, it’s not so bad when you realise that you’ll be able to pick up or hone skills. For instance, if you’ve applied for a business development position but end up getting a marketing role, grab it! You’ll not only pick up tech-savvy skills such as creating online marketing brochures to sell a particular product, but you’ll also have the opportunity to build your network, something which can come in useful later in your career.
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