Successful applications

Throughout the application process: • Demonstrate that you have the desire to do the job; right mix of skills; and potential to grow and learn. • Explain clearly why you want to join their organisation; and how you fit both the role and the culture.

Successful applications therefore grow from enthusiasm for an organisation and knowing you would be happy doing the job. Invest time in identifying your preferences, motivations and skills. Research industry sectors to target your efforts better; try to understand the culture and style of different organisations and the skills and qualities sought. Talking to people working in the sector can really help to deepen your research. For more detailed advice, see our section on Developing Your Career Ideas.

Good research is vital and will help you stand out. It lays the foundation for communicating clearly how you meet the requirements for the role and fit the organisation. Before applying, analyse the advertisement or personal specification to understand: • What the job entails. • Which skills are most important. • What excellence might look like. All elements of your applications can then: • Actively promote your strongest relevant skills and abilities. • Present evidence showing where and how you have developed and applied these skills and abilities. • Persuade your audience of your interest, excitement and motivation for the role and their organisation. Identify and evidence the required skills

Identifying the skills and competencies required for a role can be straightforward because these are often listed in the job description and personal specification. Application forms often ask you to give examples of the specific skills sought. Even where these are not clear, or when making a speculative approach, you should try to identify which core employability skills are likely to be most important for the organisation.

Effective applications are supported throughout by evidence – it builds credibility. Simply asserting that you have a skill does not work, not least because anybody can make that assertion! Consider the opposite example in the ‘Assertion or evidence?’ box.

The examples you use in written applications and interviews can be drawn from a variety of activities, as transferrable skills are developed in many situations – through your studies, extra-curricular activities and work experience. Choose examples that: • Relate to what you actually did, rather than what you might do in a hypothetical situation. • Show your personal contribution, even within a team effort. • Had positive outcomes. • Are relevant to the employer – signpost this by mirroring the language used in the job description. • Are fairly recent (preferably in the last two to three years). • Allow scope for you to expand on if asked for more detail in an interview.

From building your CV to answering competency-based questions in interviews, you can add structure to your evidence by using the CAR or STAR mnemonics.

Assertion or evidence?

I will make a strong contribution at [company’s name] because I am a good team player and natural leader.

Last spring, my leadership enabled our student consultancy team to make robust recommendations to our client, a local charity, on how to increase volunteering amongst sixth formers based on over 100 survey responses.

Remember…

Lastly, remember that recruiters are not mind-readers, and frequently work to tight deadlines. Never expect recruiters to infer how you fit their criteria. Instead, make it easy for them to find the evidence they are looking for. • Be direct and state how you meet the criteria clearly, with lots of evidence to back up your claims. • Mirror the language used in their recruitment literature to: • Align your style to theirs. • Enable software used to scan applications to match your evidence to the key competencies and skills required. • Highlight relevant aspects of your background, knowledge and experience for each organisation and role. • Reflect how your aspirations and longer term goals align to the opportunity. Demonstrating commercial awareness

Good candidates are able to: demonstrate an understanding of an organisation’s core activities, products and services; the marketplace – including competitors; and how political and technological change might affect their sector in future. • Learn about the sectors you are targeting. • Attend company events and career fairs, talk to alumni, join relevant student societies. • Read journals and websites dedicated to the sector. • Find and follow professional bodies and opinion leaders as well as companies and organisations. • Be ready to discuss industry trends and how current issues might affect an organisation’s markets or strategy – and/ or their clients. • Read the (financial) news and follow one or two major current affairs over time. • Consider how organisations in the sector compete with one another. • Become comfortable with business terminology and financial measures relevant to the sector and role.

Gain first-hand experience and insight through our employability programmes and work experience. See our advice on Gaining Experience.