The aim of the application is to convince the viewer of your abilities, present yourself in the best light and get an invitation to an interview. But how?
Writing a really good application is not that easy. Sometimes you have to overcome one or two hurdles beforehand: 42% of employees surveyed in a study conducted by Indeed stated that they had not applied for a position because the application process seemed too complicated.2 It is therefore essential that the documents are properly structured, especially for applications that have to be submitted via online portals and application forms. Incidentally, 55% of German companies still prefer e-mail applications.3 The order of the documents in the online version does not differ from that of the classic application folder:
There are no clear rules when it comes to formulation. A CV is necessary to present your skills and knowledge. This should reflect your academic and professional career. The cover letter supplements the CV with your personal motivation and is ideally tailored to the company in question. A common thread is crucial for comprehensibility.
In the case of an application, less is more - digressions and unnecessary details distract attention from the person applying. Documents that do not exceed the format of a DIN A4 page are advantageous.
It is advisable to enclose the certificate of the highest educational qualification and job-related attachments such as references. It is also important to upload or send all documents in one PDF file when applying online. This helps recruiters to keep track of several documents if necessary.
Do No. 2: Individual design
Sometimes you have to be bold. An interesting introduction, individual wording and a special design make the applicant stand out from the crowd. The appropriate design radiates individuality and creativity. The eye also eats with the application - so it is all the more important to pay attention not only to the content, but also to a proper design. The documents should be visually coordinated. A uniform and appealing layout goes down well. But be careful - the design should still be adapted to the job and employer - exaggerated application layouts are therefore usually not desired.
Do No. 3: Show motivation
The cover letter in particular offers the opportunity to get to know the person behind the application. However, for 55% of the professionals surveyed in a Germany-wide survey, the cover letter is the biggest hurdle when applying for a job. 57% stated that they did not know what exactly to write.4 This hurdle can be easily overcome with a few tips. It is important to establish a direct link to the company and to make your own ambitions for the future position clear. To demonstrate your professional aptitude, it is a good idea to mention any experience you have already gained in the relevant field.
Do No. 4: Interest in the company
The cover letter should also refer to the company. It is important for recruiters to find out what the applicant likes about the company and why they have chosen this company. The key question here is: Why should the recruiter choose this particular applicant?
If the company does not offer any suitable positions at the time of application, a speculative application for the dream job is an alternative. In a Jobware survey, 58% of HR professionals surveyed see this as an opportunity for exclusive access to positions that are not regularly advertised.5
Do No. 5: Preparation for the job interview
Every interview should be carefully prepared as another part of the application process. The introduction should outline the most important points of your career, experience and achievements in just a few minutes. You should also have your own documents and information about the company to hand. Further tips for the ideal job interview can be found here:
Don'ts when applying: what to avoid
If the application is not appealing, the applicant is in a bad position. In order to get the job of your dreams, there are a few don'ts that should be observed and ideally avoided.
Don't No. 1: Copy & paste is a taboo
To stand out from the crowd, standard phrases should be avoided. A standardized application letter also lacks a concrete reference to the respective job advertisement. 97% of HR decision-makers in a 2018 study stated that they would reject applicants if the criteria in the job advertisement were not met.6 The required qualifications and skills should therefore be prepared individually for the job and presented clearly. In addition, applicants often avoid a personal salutation and replace it with "Dear Sir or Madam". This is impersonal - so finding and identifying the right contact person can be worthwhile and signals the applicant's interest in the job.
Don't No. 2: Incorrect spelling and grammar
Probably the biggest no-go in applications are spelling and grammatical errors. If your application folder is full of mistakes, it doesn't make a good first impression. Understandable, isn't it? Proofreading by a third party can minimize the error rate. If there are more than three errors in the letter of application, the application only has a chance with 30% of recruiters.7 Incidentally, it is particularly embarrassing if the devil has already crept into the company name.
The subjunctive mood should also be avoided. Instead of "I could...", "I can..." is a better way of demonstrating self-confidence and determination.
Don't No. 3: Lies have short legs
Be it on your CV or at a job interview - lying never gets you far. Dishonesty about your own skills and competencies often comes to light very quickly. 81% of respondents to a survey believe that false information about training or studies on a CV is not okay. 69 % consider lying about professional experience or job title to be bad.8 A lack of professional experience can be compensated for by motivation, determination and willingness to learn, for example.
Conclusion
Sooner or later, everyone asks themselves the question: "How do I apply correctly?" And with a few tips and tricks, your application will be successful. HR managers and recruiters pay attention to certain aspects. Certain formalities should be adhered to. Individuality, clear interest and motivation earn you points and a possible ticket to the interview. No-gos such as spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and standard phrases tend to put recruiters off. With the dos and don'ts mentioned above, nothing should stand in the way of your dream job.
