Most people who apply for jobs don’t necessarily feel that they are qualified for the position, but may feel that the job is a step up in their career. The employer may not necessarily think the same, and will be more than likely skeptical about the applicant’s claimed qualifications.
When you are writing a job application for someone else, there are certain specifics you need to follow. Different organizations and employers can have different expectations regarding the standard of work, so ensure that your writing matches their expectations.
The objective should be to persuade
The purpose of your application is to persuade the reader that you are the person for the job. To achieve this, you need to write your application as though you are speaking to someone who is already thinking about the position, but has not yet made up their mind. You are looking for a way to convince them that you are the best person for the job, and that they should hire you.
The better you write, the more convincing your application will be. Bear in mind that there is limited information available regarding the job beyond what is in the advertisement, so you need to put in the effort to make yourself stand out. Make sure that your application includes all the relevant details regarding your experience, and that it is formatted in a professional manner. Your application is your first impression, and you will have nothing to compare it to later on. Ensure that you make the right impression – shine!
The style should be concise and to the point
The English language has evolved over the years to become a bit more concise and to the point. When writing, make sure that your language is not so flowery that it becomes difficult to understand. Conciseness allows for greater clarity of thought, and your application will be much easier to understand. It’s always better when communicating with others when you can make your point efficiently and effectively. Conciseness allows the reader to absorb your thoughts more easily, and it makes your writing more professional. In short, conciseness makes you sound smarter! Concise writing also makes your writing much easier to read and much more pleasant for the reader. Your writing will not sound like a piece of fluff with several grammatical errors, but instead will flow smoothly and be easy to understand.
Know your audience
Know who you are writing for and what they want. This is most important because you cannot write for everyone. You need to write for specific people who are responsible for making the decision regarding your application. To achieve this, you need to find out what qualifications they look for in an applicant, and incorporate these into your application. If you are unsure of what these are, ask someone who is familiar with the position – preferably someone who has previously held the position themselves. Some of the things you might want to include in your application are education, certifications, special skills, work experience, and any other relevant information. Ensure that you tailor your application to the specific job you are applying for.
Keep it factual
Your application should be filled with only relevant and factual information. You do not need to include information that is not pertinent to the job on which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for a job as a barista at a coffee shop, you do not need to include your culinary skills, as they are not relevant to the job. Inclusion of irrelevant information can make your application less concise and easy to read. Ensure that everything you include is relevant to the position you are applying for. The more you include, the more complete your application will be, but the more there is, the more there is to go wrong. Too much information can sometimes hurt your application rather than help it. You need to find the right balance. A coffee shop is not going to be impressed by your culinary skills, and neither is the other way around. Irrelevant information can sometimes put you at a disadvantage because you are not being truthful either. If you think that your experience qualifies you for a position, but the advertisement specifically states that the person hired will have experience, including sales experience, you might want to exclude your experience because it does not fit the position.
Formatting and proofreading
The English language can be difficult to read and write, and that is why there are so many instances of spelling errors and grammatical errors. When writing, you must make sure that your English is perfect. To improve your writing, you must practice and, most importantly, you must correct your errors. Only then can you start to see improvements in your writing. If you want to take your writing to the next level, you must have a pro edit your work. When making an application for a job, whether it is for another organization or company or an individual, you must ensure that your English is perfect. Spellings, punctuation, and grammar all need to be correct, as well as any other relevant information you included in your application. If you followed the tips discussed here, and applied them to your own writing, you will undoubtedly see improvements in your application. You will also enjoy writing much more because you will be communicating with the reader on a professional level.