how to make your job application stand out

Copyright Automotive & Technical Personnel 2001 Ltd 2007-2008 ©

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“How to make your application

stand out on the crowded

Recruiter's desktop?”

An E-Book by

www.autojobs.co.nz www.marinejobs.co.nz www.printjobs.co.nz


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“How to make your application stand out

on the crowded Recruiter's desktop?”

Job Application Goal: To secure the best recruiter for your skill set and have the recruiter commit to work on your Application “until you get the job you want”. This will save you time and effort and ensure the best possible representation to the industry. Desired Outcome: A “face to face” interview, quickly with the specialist recruiter so you can be assessed. So they can start to work hard for you. “Until they get you get the job you want”.


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Problem: Recruiters are busy people often handling hundreds of enquiries by multiple channels i.e. Phone, Fax or email and even the occasional walk-ins to the office.

Your opportunity to make an impression is very short so you need to make it count

The Solution: this E Book

How to make your application stand out on the crowded

Recruiter's desktop? By

www.autojobs.co.nz www.marinejobs.co.nz www.printjobs.co.nz

“Thank-you for all your effort in getting so much accomplished

in such a short time. I arrived back in SA yesterday, and was quite exhausted after the 2 long flights. I received the final offer

from last week” Offshore Candidate

“A very easy, stress free process with proven results."

Dave. Design Draughtsman.

“The process on my part was relatively easy having only to have an interview with Autojobs and send them my CV. they

sorted out all the bits and pieces and set up the interview with the company for me.

I went for that interview and got the job. I feel that because of my busy schedule, I probably would not

have been so proactive with trying to find jobs and chase interviews. But with their help everything came together nicely

and I now have a new job to go to" Local Candidate


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Goal 1: Get your Application to them quickly Tip 1: Today the preferred Application method for us and most recruiters is to use the Application Forms located on their own web site, So even if you find the job elsewhere it is best to record the Job Reference number and go to the recruiter’s site and apply from there i.e. Autojobs.co.nz, Marinejobs.co.nz or Printjobs.co.nz Why?: These forms have been carefully constructed to gather the information that is vital for them to work effectively on your behalf, and often will integrate with database candidate software thus saving valuable processing time. Applications from commercial job sites usually arrive as an email to a central processing person to be entered in to the candidate management system manually immediately creating delays for you.


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Goal 2: Get your Application Read Tip 2: Fill in all fields accurately and completely. Be concise and accurate. Even if you see no reason for the information, a complete Application will go straight to processing ahead of all incomplete applications saving you time. Why: This will save your recruiter valuable time because having the information only in the CV requires the recruiter to open the attached documents to understand your skill set. A professional recruiter will scan the day’s applications and WILL act on the ones that meet the most important Priorities first, without resorting to attachments - Unless you get their interest first. Example 1: an email with the subject “see attached CV” and no message in the body will be looked at after a complete Application detailing who you are and the position you wish to apply for in the subject. Example 2: an email with the subject “FW see attached CV” and no message in the body containing another forwarded email with an application will be looked at with suspicion as a candidate who applies to every job going but is not serious about a change.


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Goal 3: Get the Recruiter on your Side You only need the support of one good recruiter to secure you the position you need. Lots of people working badly for you may spoil your chances. It is better to have one professional working for you, representing you well to client sectors they are a specialize in. Tip 3: Make sure your application is personal and you are applying to a single individual - recruiters are human too! Recruiters choose who they work hardest for! Why: Specialist recruiters are looking for candidates that they can represent to the market exclusively. They know the market and can find you jobs with companies that are not even advertising. Applicants that have applied to many companies will be a low priority as the chance of being the first to market them to clients will be diluted. We only get a fee when we introduce people to our clients they have not already had applications directly from. If you have already made lots of unsuccessful applications how do you think we view your capabilities when we are considered a last resort?


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Goal 4: You want to be considered for all jobs that match your skill set and needs. Tip 4: If applying for many positions or any position that matches your skill set only send one application. Make this clear, by listing all relevant reference numbers or stating “any relevant position” on your application. Why: Multiple applications cause confusion. Different recruiters within the same organization with access to the same vacancies and client base waste time working on your file. The end result may be that no one picks up your file and it is overlooked. You want the most experienced recruiter, in your area of specialization to work on your file, not necessarily the person who gets to the first of your multiple applications.


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Goal 5: You want us to be able to get back to you Tip 5: Give us all your priority contact channels. Use only one e-mail address (use only one for your job search) and make sure you can check it remotely i.e. by webmail. Check it regularly, Make sure you provide complete country and area codes for your Phone and Mobile, especially if offshore. Why: If you are of interest for an urgent position or a closing position, we may need to contact you quickly. Make this easy for us and check the email address often for communication. If enquiring to checkthat your application has arrived please know the email address you have sent it from to make the search quicker for you.


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Goal 6: You want your attachments to be read Tip 6: Send attachments in a common document format like Word, a Text File or as a PDF. Limit the file size, and at first approach don’t include space-consuming scans of certificates or masses of images. If they are required, you will be asked for them, or you can bring them to the interview. Why: Most good recruitment companies process literally thousands of applications, and file sizes can be a concern. Ideally your format should be easy for us to CUT and PASTE from, so that we can get the information into our systems quickly and efficiently for you. For example we have 12 workstations networked to a central server and due to the robustness of the systems we often need, to switch the latest software platforms after they have been in well proven in the market for some time. Obscure or specialist formats are a problem if we don’t have the software; Graphics people are the worst at this. Obscure formats can also trigger email virus scanners resulting in additional delays for your application.


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Goal 7: You want your attachments to be understood Tip 7: Format your CV in a logical style. As outlined on the following 2 pages, brief but complete We have had 60+ page CV’s in which by page 12 we still didn’t know what the candidate did. Most recruiters are busy and these will get put in the “too hard basket”. Or worse still, deleted. We use English if this is not your first language have your CV Translated professionally, Online converters produce surprising results. Why: We are looking for key information quickly. Remember, although you should portray yourself in the best possible light, you are by no means allowed to lie on your CV. This is a crime in New Zealand. People have gone to prison for this if they have secured a job under false pretences. All information should be up to date - remember to update details on old versions of your CV. Your CV should contain the information as in the example following on pages 11 and 12 and be formatted similarly


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Personal Information List your contact details correctly at the top of the page, include: Full Name: ( and please make your First and Last Names very clear) Email address Postal address Phone number (s) – Landline and mobile After you have applied, check your voicemail and email regularly Nationality Country of origin and countries you hold citizenship for Immigration Your current immigration status i.e. NZ Citizen Work Permit holder Permanent Resident In New Zealand as a visitor require job offer for work permit. Offshore wishing to work in New Zealand Offshore wishing to immigrate to New Zealand permanently Work History List work experience from your current job in reverse chronological order – List MOST RECENT JOB FIRST to oldest job LAST For each job, include: Company name: Position held: Accurate Dates you were there: Key responsibilities and tasks in the role Key achievements ( ideally two or three things where you made a difference For example Work History could look like this: I WORKED HERE COMPANY 2 LTD Supervisor Jan 2000 – Current

• Reported directly to GM • Had 30 direct reports • Managed daily operations • Staff supervision & training • Set Budgets

Achievements • Achieved 120% of Budget • Reduced Costs by 15%


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I WORKED HERE COMPANY 1 LTD Leading hand Jan 1997 - Jan 2000

• Reported to Supervisor • Had 6 direct reports • Managed team of 6 • Staff supervision • Responsible for achieving Budgets

Achievements • Awarded salesman of the month 8 out of 12 months • Implemented health and safety policy

Include OE taken i.e. Travelling to Country A and B casual work as Barman, Fruit picker etc Include any work experience, internships or placements, but make sure that it is clear exactly what you were doing. Qualifications: List: Degrees, diplomas, certificates or other qualifications you’ve achieved, Where you studied and dates Education: List: Schools and colleges Where you studied and dates Drivers Licence: List: Classes or types of vehicles and country Additional Achievements:

• Achievements you may have accomplished • Computer skills, languages and your level of fluency • Things that are relevant to the job you are applying for

Education: Secondary High School attended and dates High School Qualifications obtained and dates University or Technical Qualifications Interests: Make a short list of your hobbies and interests. Other: May include a brief personal statement


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Tip 8: Format your CV simply. Complicated Tables and embedded graphics make it hard to cut and paste the information in to database or CRM systems.

• It is better to use bold and italic for emphasis.

• Create a balanced look. • Maximise the use of space but don't cram

things in too tightly either. • Leave enough space between each

section. • Clearly label each section with an

appropriate heading. • Try not to split sections across two pages.

If you need more room, move the whole section onto the next page.

Tip 9: Use a font that is both attractive, clear and simple and likely to be on the installed computer. e.g. “Times New Roman”, “Arial” or “Verdana” avoid small fonts - minimum is 10 point Tip 10: Always write in the third person, and in the past tense.


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Tip 11: Use clear concise language. Avoid, “we” use “I”. “We” can mean the company and not “you” we are interested in what “you” did not what the company you worked for did, you may have swept the floor or made the Tea for all we know, if you use we.

Good key words to explain what you did in your positions

• Achieved • Delivered • Exceeded • Assisted • Collected • Communicated • Created

• Demonstrated • Maintained • Organised • Produced • Represented • Scheduled • Wrote

Tip 12: Ensure there are no gaps in your work history.

Tip 13: Use a specialist in your area of expertise or in the area you wish to be employed who has worked as a recruiter for a considerable time.

Often the gaps identify some of the most interesting periods in your life. Tell us about them. If you don’t we will only have to ask you anyway.

Bonus Tip: Stay positive, work with your recruiter and they will work for you.

how to make your job application stand out

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