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The Job Writing Application Process – from start to finish The job writing application process no easy task. It is made up of many elements that all need to be completed in order to secure the elusive job you desire. In fact, the job writing application process is becoming more and more complicated each year with some organisations requiring multiple interviews, personality tests and /or comprehension / maths tests just to name a few. So how do you navigate the job writing application process from start to finish? Here is a step by step guide that may assist you to work through the process.
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1. Finding a suitable job to apply for: It is no secret that organisations are now using multiple ways to advertise their positions. It is important that you use all avenues open to you to search for the job application you want to apply for. As well as the traditional means of the newspapers, organisations now have a multitude of websites available to them to advertise on. The most common of these are seek.com, careerone.com and indeed.com. Branch out from these and you may find other opportunities that you did not know existed. There is also an increasing rate of organisations using social media including Facebook and LinkedIn to advertise their job opportunities. Make sure you have a profile on these pages and check them regularly. PA G E 3
2. Look at the details: Once you have found a job that interests you look carefully at the details of the job. There is no point putting a whole heap of effort into job application writing only to find out that the job is in NSW and you live in QLD. Job application writing sometimes involves a phone call to the organisation to clarify any questions you may have. For example, if the job application is asking for a specific qualification that you do not have however you have another qualification that is similar it would make sense to telephone and see if this is acceptable prior to writing the job application. Check all the details of the job application to ensure that your efforts will not be wasted.
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3. Spend time mapping out your job writing application: Spend some time mapping out your job writing application. Firstly, look at your resume and adjust it to reflect the qualifications and skills required for the particular job you are applying for. Ensuring that your resume is no more than two pages and only holds relevant details will show that you have put some thought into it rather than submit a standard version. Ask yourself whether you need a cover letter and if so map this out to include your skills backed by evidence of these skills. Some organisations have a set questionnaire that they require be filled in. This questionnaire may or may not be a substitute for the actual cover letter so it is important to clearly articulate what is required. PA G E 5
Look at the job application’s selection criteria and jot down points on how you can address these prior to writing them out in full. These points should include actual evidence that can back up what you say. For example, you may have excellent leadership skills but writing this alone really means nothing. However, if you back this up with how you have led a large team, supervised staff or managed a project, you have the evidence to back up the skills you say you have. Writing the selection criteria can be difficult so ask for help if you are unsure what is being asked of you.
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If a job application requires you to complete a questionnaire, personality test, comprehension or maths test make sure you spend some time thinking this through and completing it as accurately as possible. Some job writing applications require these things prior to interviews and at other times these are completed during or after the interview process. Whatever the case may be don’t rush! Take the time you have to ensure that the documents are completed as accurately as possible.
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4. Proof read: Ensure that you proof read all your written job application, from your resume through to your selection criteria, in order to correct any spelling mistakes and punctuation errors. Consider asking a family member or friend to read through it for you in order for them to pick out any mistakes you may have missed. There is nothing more off putting than a written job application that if full of mistakes. This is a sure-fire way to see your application end up in the ‘no’ pile.
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5. Send your job writing application to the correct place: Once you have completed your job writing application it is vital to send it to the correct person or place. There is no point putting in all that effort only to realise down the track it was sent to the wrong email address. This point ties back to our first point of checking all the details. Do you need to send it via email? Does it need to be hand delivered or send by post? Who is the correct contact person? Make sure to check and double check this and get it to the right place!
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Sometimes the thought of the job writing application process can be overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Red Tape Busters has been operating for over 15 years and has hand-picked its consultant to ensure that they have all the job application writing skills mentioned above. Each consultant has worked in the industry for several years and will work with you to produce the best job application possible.
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Get professional help
Visit http://www.redtapebusters.com for more information. We are specialists in providing the following services: • • • • •
Lobbying; Tender Writing; Grant Writing; Resumes/Job Applications; Organisational/Business Development.
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Thank You!! PA G E 13