Putting it all together

Once you have gathered all the information you can about your suitability for the position, you can prepare your CV and application.

Make sure you have a copy of the Role Description for the position you wish to apply for.

 

How closely do you match the requirements?

List the requirements of the job that you are applying for - in the priority that the employer (not you) would consider most important.

Rank them according to their importance, e.g. essential, desirable, optional. 

Now match these to the qualities that you have and see how they compare.  This is sometimes called Job & Skills Gap Analysis.  A worksheet you can use is included below.

Also list the objectives and impressions that you want to convey in your first contact. 

 

What should you ask about the job?

List any questions that you may want to, or feel that you would be expected to, ask should you be offered an interview. 

Add to them as and when they come to mind.  Make sure you have the Correct Position Title, Location and Reference Number for the position.

Job & Skill Gap Analysis Worksheet
Format Tips

Job & Skill Gap Analysis Worksheet

The Job & Skill Gap Analysis Worksheet is available as a PDF file, here, and is included in the Resources and Guidelines for Job Applicants Microsoft Word Document, here.

 

back to top

Format Tips

Most interviewers spend 30 seconds scanning a CV before deciding to continue or to reject the applicant.  Appearance and content count.

Clear

Use clear and readable words.  A word is a symbol of a thought, concept or idea.  Choosing the right words conveys information accurately and this is very important to the readability of the message.

Don’t use abbreviations or jargon, e.g. “I was responsible for all Section 266’s” or “From 1980-82 I jerqued all Exports entries for the Port of Christchurch”.

Relevant

Your CV, skills and attributes must be current and relevant to the job.  An employer doesn’t care if you were blackboard monitor at Cricklewood Primary School in 1964.  However, they may want to know you were on the Board of Trustees for Cricklewood Primary School 96-99.

Properly Organised into Sections

Clear headings allow the readers to skim what they are not really interested in and to easily locate important parts.  It should follow a logical sequence.

Brief & To the Point

2-3 pages is optimum (not including competency statement).  Remember, if an employer has scores of CVs to read he/she is unlikely to read every one in detail.  If your CV is large it may pay to provide a summary.

Grammatically Correct

Simple spelling and grammar errors leave an impression of an unprofessional attitude.  All CV’s should be proof read (especially if typed by someone other than yourself).

Do not refer to yourself in the 3rd person (by name as if talking about someone else)

Attractively Presented

Should be typed and conservative in appearance, fonts, etc. – remember most employers are conservative.  Light coloured paper is best.

Use a serif style font for the bulk of text.  It is easier to read as the line strokes of many serif fonts provide a path for the eye to follow e.g. Times New Roman.

Contrast and add interest to your document with a different font for main titles etc., perhaps a bold sans serif font, make headings bigger than the text.

Use bold or reverse text to highlight points.  Italics can be hard to read.

Use Wingdings instead of conventional bullets to provide a graphic element without detracting from the text.

 

back to top