Experience
From Job Application to Job Interviews: Your Go-To Checklist
On average, around 24% of job applications at trivago get to the first round of interviews. This means that most candidates don’t get a first call from the hiring team. With the amount of applications received, companies usually can’t get to know everyone personally. But how can you stand out from the crowd and raise the recruiters’ attention? In this article, we share some of our insider knowledge from our recruitment specialists to help you get past a job application, to your first, and hopefully, more interviews.
✅ Customize your CV for impact.
A CV is the first filter in the very early stages of a recruitment process. For this reason, include only relevant information in it. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to what should go in the CV. Recruiters and hiring teams like to see a summary that tells us who you are and that is tailored to the position you’re applying for. Tell us why you’re the right person for the job. Keep your CV rather short (maximum 2 pages), don’t mention every single task that you’ve done in your previous positions, rather point out your experiences and skills, notable achievements, and educational qualifications. Use relevant keywords and active verbs in your CV. Of course, finding the right balance between selling yourself and overselling is something you should always keep in mind.
✅ Highlight your key soft skills.
Generally your hard skills will get you to the first steps, but your soft skills, those which relate to the position and the company’s values, will put you on the spotlight. Take a look at the soft skills required for the job and highlight your super skills that match correctly. From adaptability and self-leadership, all the way to creativity and critical thinking, show how these soft skills are used in your day to day.
✅ Pay attention to the detail.
Show that you have the skill of paying attention to detail, rather than merely listing it as a skill on your CV. Take the time to proofread your CV and other documents e.g. cover letter (if you choose to have one) to ensure there are no grammatical mistakes, wrong word choices, or illogical sentences. Make sure that you choose an appealing format, that is a pleasure to look at and read.
✅ Level up with the power of AI.
In today’s digital era, AI tools can be game-changers for both recruiters and candidates. If you’re not using them, you’re probably missing out on opportunities to shine as a candidate. Two of the AI tools we’re loving right now and can only recommend are Careerflow AI and ChatGPT. With Careerflow AI, you can create a compelling LinkedIn headline and professional summary with relevant keywords, significantly increasing your chances of getting noticed by recruiters who are actively sourcing for passive candidates. Then there’s the famous ChatGPT to help you check that your CV is optimized for the job opportunity you’re applying to. By putting in clear and concise prompts, you can direct the responses ChatGPT gives. Make the most of these AI tools, but remember to always present truthful information in your application documents. If it’s not true, don’t write it. If you can’t justify it, don’t say it.
✅ Focus on quality, not quantity.
If you’ve done the first four things and still aren’t getting called to an interview, you’re probably focused on volume applications, rather than narrowing down your focus to the jobs you have experience in, or transferrable skills for. Here’s the deal: it’s not about making more applications, but rather spending time making the right ones. Once you know where you want to apply to, take the time to match your application to the job opportunity, and you’ll increase your chances of securing interviews that truly align with your career goals. If you don’t have the required hard skills or experience, but believe that you can develop into that role, no worries. Instead, you can emphasize your enthusiasm for the position, explain how you will develop the required skills and make an impact.
Now, prepared with our ultimate checklist, you are ready to master your job application process and get to your first of many meaningful conversations with the hiring team. And if you’re looking for the right place to start, check out our open positions and feel free to share your success stories with us using any of our social channels. Good luck! 😉
