A job application can be one of the most stressful parts of the job-seeking process. No matter what kind of job you’re applying for, there are typical questions you will be asked and what kind of answers they want to hear.
Do you have a specific question about how to write a winning job application? Continue reading and we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
The Basics
Before you begin writing your job application, it is important to brush up on your general writing skills. Even if you feel you’re writing your application correctly, you might want to ask for some feedback from a professional. To ensure your document is error-free, you should also enlist the help of a freelance writer. A good writing sample can be very beneficial in showcasing your skills and experience. To show the employer that you are a reliable employee who can be trusted with certain responsibilities, you should include a sample of your work. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the basics you should know before diving into writing your job application:
The Purpose Of The Application
Before we begin, it’s important to state the purpose of your application. Simply put, your job application should serve as a short resume for the position you’re applying for. You should be concise but comprehensive enough to give the employer a clear picture of your skills. When writing your application, it is important to keep the employer’s needs in mind.
Your application should not be used to merely repeat information that is mentioned in your resume. If you are following the instructions carefully, your application will be much more effective.
Remember: the more you put in it, the more you get out of it. Do your best to leave out any unnecessary information or words that are not important to the employer. In other words, keep your writing sample concise, yet detailed enough to showcase your skills.
The Importance Of Clarity
One of the most important things to keep in mind while writing your job application is your own clarity. If you are applying for a specific job, make sure that you understand exactly what are the requirements for the position. If you are not sure, ask for clarification from the employer or recruitment agent. Sometimes, employers may not make it clear what they are looking for in a candidate. For example, if you are applying for a job in a call center, but the employer didn’t mention anything about being vocal about what they do, you might not be able to effectively communicate with customers.
When writing your application, you’re sure to come across words and phrases that you’ve never heard before. If you’re not certain about certain words and how to use them, look them up in a thesaurus or dictionary. The better your vocabulary, the better your application will sound. In addition, make sure that your spelling and grammar are up to par. If you’re worried about whether or not you’re proficient in English, don’t fret – the sample you’re writing is not supposed to be perfect. If it was, you wouldn’t need to be applying for a job in the first place.
The Style
After you’ve acquired the basics, it’s time to start laying down the basic format for your application. Many large companies and government offices use specific applications for various jobs. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the format of these applications.
If you’re applying for a traditional job, then you should include your resume in the application. For the most part, your resume will serve as the bulk of your application. There will inevitably be questions about why you’re applying for the job, so be sure to cover those in your application. Your cover letter should be short and sweet – around one or two pages. Despite the name, a cover letter is not the place to go into detailed explanations about why you’re applying for the job.
Your cover letter should not be too similar to your resume. Essentially, you’re using your cover letter to differentiate yourself from other candidates. In most cases, an employer will not have an opportunity to get to know you beyond your resume, so make the most of this chance and write something that will make them remember you.
The General Approach
Once you’ve finished writing your application, it’s time to set the date where you will be submitting it. The best time to do this is after you’ve pressed the send button. As soon as you’ve submitted your application, you should receive an email from the employer or recruiter notifying you of the status of your application. In most cases, you will have to wait several weeks to hear back from the employer.
If you haven’t heard from the employer in a while, it’s time to follow up. Maintain contact with the recruiter or employer to ensure your application is being processed properly. If you’ve applied for a specific job and haven’t heard from the employer, it might be time to assume that you’ve been rejected. However, this can also be a matter of job seekers unaware of the process or not following through correctly. In most cases, once you’ve applied for a job and been notified, you will have several weeks to prepare for the formal interview. The closer you get to the date of the interview, the more you need to be prepared. It is unlikely that you will get a call giving you the green light to show up to the interview unprepared. This would be a waste of both your time and the employer’s time. So, keep your calendars and phones charged and ready to go.
Key Facts
Apart from the above-mentioned details, you should also include any other relevant information in your application. This could include:
- Your education
- Your work experience
- Your eligibility for benefits
- Any other information that may be helpful to the employer
- Your references
- Your personal email address
Include everything you’ve got. The better you are at answering the questions the better you will do.
Make sure to proofread what you’ve written. In most cases, there will be several rounds of revisions before your application is finalized. In addition, you should send your application to at least three different people for external review. This way, you can ensure that everything is correct and there are no embarrassing errors. In most situations, the sample you provide will be used for reference. Bear in mind that different people have different writing styles and you want to make sure that what you’ve written sounds good to the person reading it. This may mean you have to go through several iterations of the application before it’s perfect.
The Final Step
Once you’ve received feedback and fixed all the errors, it’s time to submit the application. Make sure to save it in a separate document and attach it to an email. Remember to apply from a different email account than the one you’re using for personal correspondence. In addition, you should send a copy of the application to the recruiter or employer. You can also follow up with a phone call to make sure everything is okay. Finally, take a little gratitude with you and be sure to send a handwritten thank you note to the employer that hosted the interview. This will not only make you seem more genuine but you’re also showing that you’re capable of following through on things. Remember: a handwritten note is worth a thousand words.