The age old phrase “first impressions count” has never had more meaning than it does in today’s competitive job market. With hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants for each online advertisement, I am continually surprised by the many job seekers that don’t seem to consider the importance of making that initial contact.
A recent graduate writing for the Evening Standard this week describes his encounter with a recruitment consultant in addition to the joys of online job applications. The ever successful Reed website, kindly informs the user of the number of applications made for each particular vacancy, including the 587 applications in 48 hours for the role of Office Assistant.
Rightly or wrongly, my automatic reaction upon reading that was poor recruiter!
As a recruiter I have never been under any illusion about the general perception of our industry. Every individual you speak to has, at some point in their career, had a bad experience with a recruitment consultant. It’s exactly the same type of dislike that we all seem to have for Estate Agents, fundamentally they can’t do right for doing wrong. I would however argue, that in the current economic conditions, being the bearer of negative news is challenging even for the most hardened recruiter.
Advertising that role generated 587 emails over a two day period, which is a mountain to climb, even for a speed reader. Literally hundreds of people desperate to gain that foot in the door and more importantly, the guarantee of cash at the end of the month. So if your CV was one of the many hundreds that arrived, what steps should you be taking to make sure you are in with a shot?
Going back to my initial point, first impressions do count and as much as we dislike recruiters or feel that their place within the recruitment process is merely operational, never forget that they are an important decision maker. Not only that, they are often highly pressurised, target driven, time poor decision makers who will see reasons to reject you quicker than Sir Alan can shout “You’re fired!”.
Email salutations, spelling, grammar and a polite approach should all be essentials when applying online. Far too many people skim over these details when hurriedly typing their application and each day it is normal to come across one or two who manage to spell their own name wrong! Consider how your attention to detail is viewed when you send your covering letter detailing the incorrect job title or company name!
These small details are never going to secure you a job, nor will they guarantee you an interview, but in a market when applicants far out number the job vacancies, you would do well to double check everything within your control to maximise your chances!
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