It is only once their job application has been rejected, that most job seekers get an insight in why their job application failed. In Part 1, we covered how the job search process starts, you within it, and how you found jobs to apply for. In this second part, we will address the actual job application process.
The jobs you choose to apply for
This one as a recruiter is a constant insight into people, as it is the greatest volume point along the job application process of rejection. If you don't have the skills to do the job, as defined by the job advert, then don't apply. To pass this stage: read the job advert three times; then take a highlighter pen and outline the required skills/qualifications/experiences; now highlight the exact same phrases in your CV. If you can't find them, then don't apply.
Yet everyday, I know that around 1/3rd of job applicants to the positions we post will not have the required minimum skills, qualifications and experiences. Why do job seekers do this? I assume that they can all read as they have a CV, but I presently conclude that this is man's (and woman's, the statistics are almost equal but slightly less; women are still more cautious) age old need to move forward. These job seekers hence they see this as measured risk: I get rejected, what did I lose? The number of rejected job applications at this stage has risen in the jobs board age, but I personally conclude this is as a result of the ease/lack of cost of multiple job applications. If your ratio at this stage of the job application process is less than 1 telephone interview in 20 job applications, then your job search has gone wrong in one of the preceding stages.
Telephone Interview
Statistically, the equal greatest point of job application rejection, together with the jobs you choose to apply for. The simple guidance is that the moment you put in a job application, you need to be prepared for a telephone interview. The purpose of the telephone interview from the employer's viewpoint is to confirm that you as the job applicant have the claimed skills/qualifications/experiences to the required depth of the job description, and that you have some social fit with the organisation. If you have spent a lot of time putting a great CV together, then you need to spend as much time in the modern job application world on your telephone interview technique. Secondly, if you are getting constantly rejected at this stage, then it is either that: you are choosing the wrong jobs; your CV is over written; or you don't telephone interview well.
Job Interview
Almost there, but this is not as most job seekers think the final point of rejection. The job interview is the point at which to close the job search circle, and prove that you can fulfil the business need of the job, and get on with the team manager. What about fitting the job description? As a recruiter, I know that the more senior the position, the less important the job description is in who is chosen as the final successful job applicant. As I said at the start of this article, the job application is a personnel thing, but it is about human beings: forget that, and prepare to be rejected.
Package negotiation
While most job seekers leave this like packaging for their summer holidays to the last minute, the seasoned traveller and the seasoned job seeker know that package negotiation starts at the start of the job application process, not as an after thought at the end. A new employer wants you to start yesterday, so firstly know when could you start the job by knowing the contract notice period on your existing contract of employment. Secondly, know that the pay level you seek is above the minimum you need to live on. The bigger the employer, the more likely they are to have a well-defined corporate pay structure, the less room there is for manoeuvrability. Thirdly, focus on the soft issues in negotiation and hence total package vale, over direct pay. HR teams have soft and often unspent budgets in training, moving assistance, car allowances, etc. Don't lose a job application because you thought the job paid more, and you then focused on getting the pay level upwards.
Job application confidence
As I covered in part1, this is the last point of job application rejection, and it is a general issue throughout the current job-seeking world: personal confidence. Job seeking in itself is a job, and it is a tough one. I haven't yet met an unsuccessful job seeker who was in some way lacking in self-confidence. If you read through this article, and are still wondering why you are rejected, then after looking in the mirror get out with friends and family and remember what's important. After taking a break for a day or two, then go back to applying for jobs with renewed vigour, and seek some help in your job search.
A job application is as easy as you make it for yourself, but the one big piece of inside advice you should take to avoid job application disappointment: if you don't know you, what you offer, and what you want to do, then you will be: REJECTED!
Good Luck!
Ian R McAllister is the founder of a UK group focused on recruitment and employment in skills-short professional employment sectors, presently covering IT, telecoms and project management. The group also provides professional candidate information and services via a series of online resources, including the Professional CV [http://www.professional-cv.co.uk/] and Executive CV services.
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