Top 10 Ways To Make Sure You Are Shortlisted In Your Job Application

Do you apply for jobs without any response? How would you know if you’re eyeing the right job or you’re chasing a lost cause?
Many job seekers find themselves applying for so many that they meet most if not all the qualifications with high hopes of getting the job, but they never hear from employers. “Chances are the HR Managers think you could be wrong for the job, or your CV could reflect your qualification runs short from what the company is looking for,” explains Martin Githaiga, HR Officer at Corporate Staffing Services.
Companies will always want only the best people in their team. Someone who can get the job done, and perform any task outside the job description if need be, without any fail. To make sure that they only get the exact person they need, the hiring process starts with the creation of selection criteria list.
Mr. Githaiga explains that, the selection criteria “are standards that job applicants need to meet. These include qualifications, knowledge, skills, abilities and experience.” The selection will be based primarily on what criteria have been stated on the list, and people will only be considered if they meet all requirements, no buts, and no ifs.
How do find the selection criteria? “This may appear in advertisements, position descriptions or duty statements.” However, some employers do not use the label of selection criteria. You may need to analyse the job to find what the employer is looking for in candidates. For example, if the role involves dealing with clients, it implies the need for interpersonal and customer service skills.
Every job applicant has a responsibility to assess themselves first before applying for anything. “First you need to go through the job advert carefully and identify the key things that an advert seeks in a candidate,” explains Mr. Githaiga. He illustrates that if a company is looking for SAP Accountant, then knowledge of SAP packages is key for the post.
The other thing is to look if the position is in your line of career. “Find out if you are qualified for what the company you’re interested at is looking for,” adds Mr Githaiga. For instance, say the post requires knowledge of French language, can you speak in French?
After weighing your chances by keenly studying their hiring criteria, then you need to base your job application CV and cover letter based on what they’re looking for.
Samuel Njoroge, Regional Recruiter Path International advises on the need to tailor your CV in line with the requirements of the job, stressing the role required for the job. Let’s say the job requires 2-3 years work experience, good communication skills etc. If you meet the experience bracket, then you can to pick the strengths required in the job.
He further adds that where one has multiple work experiences; “you can position yourself for the job by leaving out experience that is not relevant.” For instance, say the job is for Admin Assistant and you have worked in Teaching, Sales, Customer Service and Administration. You may leave out the teaching experience and focus on the roles with transferrable skills.
Mr Githaiga recommends that, when writing a Cover letter it’s important to stress the experience and competencies required for the role. He illustrates that, if a company requires an accountant, who has worked in an a micro- finance, and you have worked in an bank, and may be dealing with micro finance, then you can stress it out on your cover letter.
In conclusion, Mr. Njoroge says that, “addressing the selection criteria is the most important part of your application.” The selection panels will use these to decide who to short-list for interview as well as base interview questions around the selection criteria. However, he warns job applicants against “giving false information that may put your integrity into question.”