Checklist for a successful job application

Having a checklist for a successful job application might seem a bit too much. However, it is not! Why? Well, because applying for jobs can be stressful, and having a checklist for a successful job application makes everything easier! Especially in today’s job market. Competition is tough.

And that is precisely why we will discuss the essential job application checklist. If you want your job application to be successful, make sure to go through all the points outlined below and make them work for you!

#1 Is your CV tailored for a specific job ad?

We can’t even begin to talk about a checklist for a successful job application without this. You need to check if your CV is tailored for a specific job.

This is actually one of the main reasons why job applications aren’t successful. CVs are not optimized (tailored) for the job ad.

Your CV has to match the job ad so read it carefully. Look at the phrases the job poster used and see if you can incorporate them into your CV. When introducing those phrases and keywords, make sure to use your judgment and only introduce them where and when it makes sense.

Remember, if you don’t tailor your CV, it will not seem relevant. The CV screening software will not deem it as a good match, and if a recruiter reads it, the result will be pretty much the same. We’ve talked about this previously so you can leverage some of our blog posts, for example, this one.

#2 Are you emphasizing relevant information?

The next thing on our checklist for a successful job application is emphasizing relevant information.

The logic is quite similar to tailoring your CV to the position. If you want your job application to be successful, you need to spoon-feed the reader with information relevant to the job.

What does this mean? It means that you need to make sure it’s super clear you do have the relevant skills, education, and/or work experience. Do not assume the reader will know what you mean with a super short bullet point. Be specific.

Choose your angle and stick with it. It can be your education, skills or experience you really want to emphasize. Whatever it is, make sure you’re consistent in your job application.

#3 Is your CV easy to read?

This might seem like an easy one, but we’ve seen so many poorly structured, badly formatted, hard-to-read CVs that you wouldn’t believe it.

Needless to say, it was very clear why they needed our help to get ahead.

So, to conclude, make sure your CV is easy to read. Do not use flashy colors, icons, photographs, diagrams, or charts. Use easy-to-read font with decent spacing. Use bullet points and avoid paragraphs. Do not use headers or footers to share relevant information. And lastly, do not combine columns with the usual (horizontal) way of writing. This can cause confusion and the reader doesn’t know where to look at first.

#4 Do you have a cover letter?

We’ve written about the importance of cover letters quite extensively so it’s no wonder they find a place in our checklist for a successful job application.

Remember to write a cover letter for every single job you apply for – it shows you’re really interested! Even if the cover letter is not mandatory, it’s always good to write a few lines.

If you need help with that, check out our blog posts about this topic, for example, this one or this one.

#5 Proofread

Never undermine the power of proofreading. Once your CV and cover letter are all done, give yourself a break and then come back for another read. Oftentimes, we are able to catch minor errors and potential issues if we apply this method.

Proofreading is important; you don’t want your job application to be ruined by a clumsy typo, a missing proposition, or an incomplete sentence.

#6 Double-check before submitting

And last but not least, take a moment before you hit that submit button. Check if your attachments are in the email or successfully uploaded to the site. Take a look at the document names and make sure everything looks right.

Are you ready?

Well, there you have it – the checklist for a successful job application. If you follow the items we listed, you should be seeing an improvement in your job search.

Of course, we’re here for you if you want to submit your CV for a free review or if you want us to take care of your CV and cover letter writing needs. For more information, visit our services page here.

We also have written a step-by-step guide for CV writing, so if you want to learn how to write CVs and cover letters like a pro – this is your chance! Order your copy here. Apply the principles outlined in it and change your job search forever.

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