“Success happens not by chance, but because you were given a chance and took advantage of it.” – Kevin Geary

Knowing where and how to apply for a job is just as important as whether or not you’re qualified. Campus career centres are the best, even after you graduate. They’ve got connections with companies that recruit graduates and often have all the information you need. It’s advisable to speak to some of your professors and their colleagues who tend to be quite clued up. Of course, newspapers, websites, and recruitment agencies can be a great help too.

When applying to multiple jobs, it’s important to think of each one separately. That may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people use the exact same materials for all submission. While some aspects (such as work experience) are always relevant, others need to be changed. Customisation is the key! It helps to keep track of all the applications you’ve completed and changes you’ve made (make sure you follow up to get confirmation), together with offline copies of everything you submit.

The same goes for the cover letter. This one-page introduction must be specifically tailored to the job, specifically addressed to whoever will be reading it (with their name and designation correct if you can find that out in advance), and specify the position you’re applying for (or a reference number if you have one).

Different companies want different things and so you should highlight only what is relevant to them is a must. You’ve got to match what you have to offer with what they want by explaining why you want to work in that particular area and how doing so will benefit you both. Research the company beforehand so you can mention something specific that makes you want to work there as opposed to somewhere else.

What’s really important in this day and age is to keep the tone formal even when submitting online. That means using a greeting, short sentences, simple words, and including your contact details at the end of each email (so the search for your number doesn’t turn into a scavenger hunt). It also means NO emoticons or using an email alias like sexyboy86. (Besides, I think it’s taken.)

“People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get.”

Author's Bio: 

About Me

I have been an active writer for over a decade and published my first book in August 2007. This marked the start of Varsity Blah, a personal development blog that has now received almost 250,000 hits from over 120 countries worldwide. This article is one of almost 100 posts that were compiled into my upcoming book, which was reviewed on Authonomy.com: “This is some very insightful stuff… The way the book is structured, paired with your capabilities of drawing great narrative, leads this on the right path. This cleanses the mind.”

For more free chapters and special reports, please email editor@varsityblah.com.

About My Services

Graduating from college with distinctions in financial accounting and classical piano has given me a uniquely creative approach to all I do. As a personal development copywriter, I specialise in creating content on improving health, relationships, finances, and career. This includes writing and editing articles, papers, blog posts, web copy, and much more. My professional background in marketing (as well as my extensive experience as one of the first external bloggers for the World Advertising Research Centre) means I can also provide case studies, company profiles, and whitepapers focused on branding, communications, digital media, and market research.

For more information on the services I provide and to discuss your project needs, please email editor@varsityblah.com.