Make Your Job Application Stand Out

First, let me show you how recruiters like me see your job applications. My team at ExeQserve and I receive hundreds of applications everyday, sometimes they even reach a thousand. In order to manage our work and our time, we need to implement methods for efficiently seeping through those bundles and bundles of job applications. We actually don’t get to see all of them. Most of the applications fail our auto-filter criteria and end up in a resume database which is a virtual junkyard that we mine from time to time, if we are not too busy with new applicants. Whose resumes are likely to end up there? Those who have no or poorly written application letters, those whose resume’s file name is “resume” and those whose resume contents are too far fetched for the job.

Here are a five  steps to what you can do to make your application stand out from thousands of other mediocre applications:

Step 1: Look closely at the requirements of the job as posted and ask yourself if there is indeed a match between what they are looking for and what you have to offer. Don’t bother sending your application if you yourself can’t find a match.

Step 2: So you believe there is a match, great! Now, write a good application letter that describes why you think you are suitable for the job. Putting your personal qualities there is cool but you need to do more than chest beating, you need to specifically mention relevant experiences and skills. Emphasize also your desire to contribute to the company’s productivity and profitability. The web is teeming with application letter templates, go Google.

Step 3: Work on your resume. First, change the file name. You won’t believe how many people use the file name “resume” on their resumes, it’s mind boggling! Let’s say I will apply for an HR Director position, I will name my file “ecebreo-hrdirector. If I apply for a Training Manager job, I’ll save my resume as ecebreo-trainingmanager. If a job you are looking for needs your Microsoft Certified Professional certification, you can save your resume file as “yourname-MCP. This will alert the recruiter that you have one of the critical requirements for the job.

Step 4: Work on your resume content for each application. Don’t send a one-size fits all resume when you are applying for different jobs. It’s lazy and ineffective. Be honest with your resume information. Save everyone some time and disappointment by not writing lies in your resume. The farthest it can get you is the first interview. If you get past all the screening with lies in your CV, you should change your career and consider becoming a con artist.

Finally, consider this. If you are good at what you do, someone will hire you. The application letters and resumes will get you through the door but it is your personal and professional qualities that will get you through and through. Invest in personal and professional development. Strive not to find a job but to build a career.

12 Responses to Make Your Job Application Stand Out
  1. JOB OPENINGS IN MIZAMIS
    May 7, 2009 | 1:57 am

    We also received piles of resumes from applicants whenever we join Jobfairs, and I tell you this jobseekers, your resumes should stand out from the rest. Remember that your not the only one who wants and clamor for a job position. Nice post Mr. Ebreo, I’m loving your site.

  2. jade
    May 30, 2009 | 10:26 am

    hi mr. Ebreo! i think you are absolutely correct. Thanks for the advice.i’ll do exactly what you are recommending.

  3. laurika gonzales
    June 30, 2009 | 1:31 am

    I failed three job interviews already. And i didn’t understand why. Thanks for the tips.

  4. Ninah
    June 30, 2009 | 2:14 am

    Hi Laurika. Do not feel too bad if you have failed several interviews. That is really part of being an applicant. There are times when the problem is not really with you. Perhaps there is simply no match between your qualifications and what the company is looking for. One of these days, you will find the perfect match.

    • laurika
      October 9, 2011 | 12:43 pm

      thank u so much for all your tips..i am now happily working in a small but progressive company for a year now..thank u so much..more power!

  5. jen
    July 7, 2009 | 7:29 am

    i am 27 yo/married…does my being married hinders my qualifications to be hired?Pls let me know how to handle tense during the interviews. pls send me tips…thanks

  6. Ninah
    July 7, 2009 | 7:28 pm

    Hi Jen. Thanks for your comment. I’ll try to answer your question as soon as I can

  7. Alec
    July 19, 2009 | 4:43 am

    Great advice! Another thing is to make sure and spell check even if you have words in your resume such as Perl which comes back as being spelled wrong. I also have my resume’s saved as a MS Word document’s as well as copies as PDF files, these days you never know which version you may need.

  8. Ninah
    July 19, 2009 | 11:58 pm

    Hi Alec. That’s really a very good tip. Sometimes Word automatically “corrects” what we type even if its correction is incorrect 🙂 Thanks for dropping by

  9. Edwin C. Ebreo
    November 8, 2010 | 2:46 am

    Hi, Ninah! I want to repost this in my new blog the Pinoy Career Coach http://pinoycareercoach.blogspot.com . I hope you don’t mind. I will make proper introduction and link back to your site. Let me know if this is ok.

  10. Ninah
    November 8, 2010 | 5:58 am

    Hi Sir Edwin. Sure thing sir. 🙂

  11. dennis
    February 27, 2011 | 3:27 am

    thanks for the tips Sir, it’s a big help. Keep up and God bless you always.

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