We’ve all been there. Looking through countless company websites for internships or jobs. ‘How to stand out from a pile of job applications? Are we missing something in our job application? What are employees looking for in a CV and cover letter?’ There are a lot of questions that run through our minds.
When a recruiter receives hundreds of applications that look and read the same, it can be really difficult to know how to make yours, you and your credentials for the job stand out among the masses. Emaan Abbass, the founder of Ketish, and Daisy Raffan, the founder of Beachy City explain what they look for in a potential employee and how to build a perfect CV and cover letter.
Cover letters are more important than you think
CVs only give employers information about your past work experience and skills. On the other hand, cover letters share a glimpse of your personality and how keen you are on working with the company. You can elaborate further on your experience and how it fits with the job position. Pro tip: Personalize each cover letter according to the respective company.
Your dream job is just a click away
Remember when we said the initiative is key? Well, employers love when you go out of your way to apply for your dream company or job. Test your luck and send that CV to the company even if they haven’t listed out job positions. (Xanax bars) This gets your application or their database in front of some eyeballs in the hopes that they will reach out to you when a position is available.
Create a CV that checks all the boxes
A clear and concise CV with enough information on your strengths, skills, education, and work experience is a dream application for any employer. If you’ve achieved a specific goal during your previous job or internship, write that down.
The mistakes to look out for in your CV and cover letter
No one likes mistakes in job applications so here’s your checklist (approved by our experts) to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes:
1. Don’t send a cover letter with an incorrect company name (yes, it happens)
2. Don’t add filtered or inappropriate pictures on your CV and cover letter
3. Mention reasons for any big gaps in your employment history
4. Avoid extremely colourful CV or cover letter
5. CVs have to be in reverse chronological order
Want to know more? Watch the full conversation from our Cosmo Careers session here: