Earlier this week, it was revealed that nearly a thousand people applied for 120 jobs at a new Wilkinson's in Norwich. At eight applications per job, this is by no means the most competitive we've encountered but, the sheer bulk of numbers involved demonstrates one thing: landing a job isn't getting any easier.
This is just the latest in a raft of similar stories, all pointing to a situation where there are simply many, many more jobseekers than there are jobs. This shouldn't make you despondent, though; look at it as a challenge, a chance to shine in an overcrowded job market. Read on to find out how to do it.
This is just the latest in a raft of similar stories, all pointing to a situation where there are simply many, many more jobseekers than there are jobs. This shouldn't make you despondent, though; look at it as a challenge, a chance to shine in an overcrowded job market. Read on to find out how to do it.
1. Find the right job for you
You can fix all sorts of things about your application, but one factor will see your application consigned to the bin quicker than any other: applying for jobs that you're patently not suitable for. It might sound agonisingly straightforward, but it's all too tempting to fire off a tranche of hastily prepared CVs and cover letters to as many employers as possible. Instead, use oursearch function to find the jobs that you're really after, and if you're struggling for inspiration, our location pages will help you pinpoint roles in your area.
2. Develop a killer CV
In most instances, your first opportunity to sell your talents to prospective employers is on your CV. Send them a sloppy, half-hearted document, and you can feel fairly certain that you'll shine like mud. Our dedicated section contains advice onsuccessful CVs, and provides you with a number of CV templates to help you grab recruiters' attention like never before. The basics you should always be aware of, though: keep it to two pages, make sure you've eliminated all spelling mistakes before you send it, and tailor it to the job in question.
3. Tailored your cover letter
If you want to sell yourself short and ensure that you completely fail to stand out, then send your CV along with a two-line generic cover letter, preferably littered with errors as well. To shine like the star you are, put some real effort into your cover letter; sure, your CV will contain the bulk of any information you send to the recruiter, but a well-written cover letter can make all the difference. Personalise it with details on why you want to work for this particular company, and of course why you're perfect for this specific job. Read more at our cover letter clinic.
4. Go the extra mile
If a company is receiving nearly 1,000 applications for a round of vacancies, then even the occasional good CV will fall by the wayside. To make sure that you keep your name at the forefront of the recruiter's mind, and your application at the top of the pile, give the company a call a couple of days after they receive your CV. Use the contact from the job ad, so you know you're not bothering the wrong person. Ask if they received your application, then offer them the chance to ask you a few questions. The chances are that they won't have seen your CV at all, but they'll pay much more attention to it when they do after this call.
5. Be prepared
If you make it to the interview stage, then you have your best opportunity yet to shine above other candidates. Like above, go that extra distance when it comes to research and preparation; shrugging your shoulders and looking clueless when they ask what you know about their company will guarantee you a rejection letter. Spend time finding out everything you can about the job and the company; appearing prepared and interested will only work in your favour. And if you really want to stand out, prepare a few killer questions to ask of the interviewer; many employers see this as a demonstration of your desire for the job, so check out our examples of questions to ask at interview.
