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Tips For Job Hunting: Follow Instructions!

Many people just don’t pay attention to the details when applying for jobs, andit will cost them every time. This, however, is excellent news for you. Here’swhy:

If other people who apply for the job can’t follow initial instructions, they likelywon’t get anywhere near the next stage of the hiring process.

This reduces the competition and thins out the herd. Stage by stage, yourchances get better and better.

Employment advice: Always look at the initial advertisement closely for anyEmployment advice: Always look at the initial advertisement closely for any“next step” instructions to follow.“next step” instructions to follow.

Recently a company I was working with advertised for an Operations Managerposition.

The advertisement was placed in the local newspaper. This was a seniormanagement position, and the successful candidate would report directly tothe CEO.

The instructions in the advertisement were to contact the Human Resourcesdepartment in the first instance for an application package.

The application package contained some further information about theposition, along with selection criteria.

Here’s one of my major tips for job hunting: selection criteria are important,Here’s one of my major tips for job hunting: selection criteria are important,because they give you a heads-up on what sort of things are important to thebecause they give you a heads-up on what sort of things are important to thedecision-maker.decision-maker.

In fact, this stuff is golden because the more clues you have about whatmatters most to them, the more you can tailor your application to give themwhat they want.

It takes the guesswork out of job hunting and the process of applying. You don’tmake stuff up of course, but you can legitimately put emphasis on your skillsand working experiences that speak to the needs of the employer.

By being relevant, you create a favourable impression.

So you think most people would pay attention to what’s in the applicationpackage, yes?

Apparently no.

In this case, the selection criteria needed to be addressed in writing, plusinclude their resume and a cover letter, sent to the Governance Manager.

These instructions were very clear in the application package.

As applications came in, some of them failed to address the selection criteriaat all, and were sent to the wrong email address, and the wrong person.

They hadn’t read the instructions because they weren’t paying attention.

Needless to say, if these applicants couldn’t get these simple instructions right,they weren’t going to be invited to an interview. They had wasted their time.

Ouch.

By Vicki Theobald

Best-Selling Author, Get That Job NowGet That Job NowThe Essential Job Search Guide For Your Career Success!www.GetThatJobNow.net

Post filed under: job hunting, employment advice

Post !led under: tips for job hunting, employment advice

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