THE JOB APPLICATION

Your written application should be a professional document that includes a cover letter and resume.

The covering letter attached to your resumé is your means of self-introduction. It is a chance to capture the attention of the reader and provide a snapshot of the skills and qualities that set you apart from all the other applicants.

A covering letter is generally used when responding to positions advertised through the print media or the internet. It is an important selling tool for those occasions when you want to approach a prospective employer directly. It should be written so that the reader cannot possibly pass it over without opening the resumé document itself. If you are not sure of the qualities or competencies required, try to work out what they are likely to be or consider a similar position you have seen in operation elsewhere.

Include the name, title and address of the contact person (check all spelling) in the organisation to which you are applying and address your letter accordingly. Begin the letter with an introduction that identifies the position (name and reference number) and includes your qualifications and reasons for applying.

Your covering letter should complement your resume by highlighting the most relevant aspects relating to the position. Make a draft, then when you are satisfied that it reads well and will get the reader interested, get a second opinion by asking a friend to review it. Don’t forget to include your contact details.

 

  • Keep it succinct (no more than one page)
  • Tailor each letter to suit the job
  • Proof read very carefully

This is a document that a potential employer uses to make their first judgement about you. Be careful to provide information that ensures this judgement will be a positive one!

Format

Companies will only accept resumés submitted electronically, so create your resumé in a common program such as MS Word so it can be opened and read by recipients easily. Don’t send your CV as a PDF.

Content

First, include basic information as your name, address and contact details (telephone numbers and email address). Make sure the email address you use appears professional.

Next list your education (secondary and tertiary) and qualifications.

Career objectives should be clear and unambiguous. Writing things like, “I want to be able to make a significant contribution…” doesn’t say very much. It would be better to say, “I am looking for a senior design structural engineering position with an EPCM company in the mineral processing sector…” Statements like these give a clear picture of what you are looking for.

List your work experience in chronological order, beginning with the most recent. Include employer names, positions held and primary responsibilities. Also, where appropriate, include an indication of salary level achieved and reasons for leaving each position.

Do not leave gaps in your resumé. If you took a year out, carried out an interim assignment or traveled for six months, say so. If you do include gaps, potential employers can suspect the worst. Stating the years, rather than the months you started or finished a role can also send off alarm bells. Writing “2002 – 2004” could be interpreted as employment from December 2002 to December 2004 unless you say otherwise.

If you have your own website profiling your work, include the URL on your resumé, however do not simply submit the URL address instead of a proper resume.

It is also important to include the details of three referees, such as former employees. If you are a graduate with no work history, include details of a former lecturer.

Unless otherwise stated, you do not need to attach copies of certificates relating to educational and/or professional qualifications (including recent academic transcripts) or any references from previous employers to your resume. You should instead bring these to your job interview.

Presentation

Ensure the information is correct and complete. Check your resumé for errors in grammar and spelling. If possible, get someone to proof read your resume.

When formatting your resume, ensure there is plenty of white space and use a simple font. Don’t place too much information on one page. Do not use graphics or small fonts that are difficult to read as they distract from the content.

Attach your resumé to an email, rather than pasting the text into the body of your email message as this sometimes causes text to appear badly formatted, making it very difficult to read.

Resumé Dos

 

  • Make sure your resumé is easy to read, concise and to the point.
  • Address each selection criteria listed in the job advertisement.
  • Take the time to create a resumé that suits each new position you apply for.
  • Only include information that is relevant to the position on offer.
  • Stick to short sentences and include keywords.
  • Divide large paragraphs into smaller ones.
  • Be sure to focus on what you can do for the employer. Include specific examples from your previous experiences and then relate these to the role you are applying for.
  • Presentation is everything – keep your document simple and neat.
  • Create a professional look by maintaining consistent headings, spaces and font throughout your resumé.
  • Use the correct tense… present tense when referring to current experiences and past tense when referring to past experiences.
  • Your resumé needs to be perfect so check and double check it.
  • Update your resumé regularly to ensure all information is current.

Resumé Don’ts

 

  • Never use anything lower than a ten point font just to fit everything into a few pages.
  • Never capitalize your wording. Use sentence case.
  • Don’t be vague. Be specific but concise.
  • Don’t include your picture.
  • Don’t use words that you are not familiar with.
  • Don’t use exclamation points.
  • Don’t lie about or exaggerate experiences.
  • Don’t clutter your resumé. Balance the text with white space.
  • Don’t use clip art or other graphics.
THE INTERVIEW