Job applications: how should I start?

You have to convince the recruiter that you're the ideal candidate in just a few sentences, and you have to do this in your application letter. It seems so simple, but just how do you get started? Here are a few tips for you.

An application letter or covering letter needn't always be an actual 'letter'. It's best to send a covering letter with every job application you make, but you can either post it, email it or send it with an online form. For simplicity's sake, we just talk about a 'letter' in this article.

Complete your CV

Your CV has to summarise the facts: what you've studied, your experience and anything else that might be important to your career. You can use the letter to repeat information that's already in your CV, but then you can expand on the details. For instance, you can give some more information about your thesis topic, or the sort of work you've already done with another company. Only do so if it's relevant to the job you're applying for.

Write what the company wants to see

Limit yourself to information that will be relevant to whoever reads the letter. Don't bother to include any experience or facts that are irrelevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a job where one of the requirements is a thorough knowledge of Dutch, don't write too much about the fact that you're really good at French! You'll have mentioned all of your language skills in your CV, of course.

Supporting arguments

Be clear in your letter about the job you're applying for, and why you want to do that job. You might, for instance, have a specific interest in the sector the company operates in; if you do - say so. Maybe you've done a similar job in the past, or gained some relevant experience during an internship? All these can be important supporting arguments for you.

Provide some examples

Examples always have the biggest impact. Are they asking for experience of organising events for this job? Then give an example of an event you've helped to organise sometime, and maybe briefly describe exactly what you did yourself, how many people were involved and so on.

Show them who you are

You can describe your personality in a few words in your CV, but use your covering letter to expand on this a little. If, say, you're applying for a position in sales, you might say that you're strongly motivated when it comes to achieving sales targets and helping the company to grow.

Always send a covering letter

Always try to send a covering letter with your application, whether this is done by post, email or an online application form. Your covering letter can be really important. Maybe not every recruiter will read your letter, but that doesn't make it any less important. If a recruiter has any doubts after reading your CV, for example, your letter might still convince him to invite you for an interview.

Let's summarise this for you in a checklist:

• Have I mentioned the job I'm applying for?

• Have I been clear about why I want the job?

• Have I been clear about why I'm the ideal candidate?

• Have I given some examples?

• Have I given them a fairly clear picture of my personality?

• Have I re-read my letter thoroughly, and corrected any spelling mistakes?