8 Tips for Your Next Job Application From a Former HR Manager.

As a former Human Resources Manager, I have reviewed thousands of job applications and recruited hundreds of people. I have seen it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have been asked on numerous occasions to help friends with their job applications, and I find that I always give the same advice, more or less.

Key takeaways.

• Be an opportunist and use the ‘third door’.
• Lead with value and make it easy for them to say yes.
• Go above and beyond in your application, don’t use the scattergun approach.

These are 8 tips that will help you next time you apply for a job.

The Third Door.

In life, business, and almost everything, there is always more than one way to achieve our goals. In his book, The Third Door, Alex Banayan explains how the world’s most successful people launched their careers by taking an unconventional approach — the third door.

“There’s the First Door: the main entrance, where the line curves around the block; where 99 per cent of people wait around, hoping to get in. There’s the Second Door: the VIP entrance, where the billionaires, celebrities, and the people born into it slip through. But what no one tells you is that there is always, always…the Third Door. It’s the entrance where you have to jump out of line, run down the alley, bang on the door a hundred times, crack open the window, sneak through the kitchen — there’s always a way. Whether it’s how Bill Gates sold his first piece of software or how Steven Spielberg became the youngest studio director in Hollywood history, they all took…the Third Door.” — Alex Banayan in The Third Door.

When applying for a job, many people go to a job board, search for the position they want, and begin applying. This is known as the “first door” approach. However, this means that you will be in a metaphorical line with 99% of other applicants, all waiting to enter the club. Most employers post a job and then check it a few days later, only to find that they have to sort through hundreds of applications. There are two ways employers tend to handle this: (i) they use an Applicant Tracking System (explained below) to sort through the applications for them, or (ii) they spend the next few days trying to skim-read hundreds of cover letters and CVs. You don’t want to be just one application among hundreds that a busy employer will quickly skim over. So, avoid taking the “first door” approach.

When applying for a job through a job board, you may be one of hundreds of applicants. However, most job ads list a contact person whom you can speak with if you have any questions. Use this opportunity to introduce yourself and ask a question, making this your first touch-point with the employer. This way, you can make a better impression before the employer comes across your application after reading dozens, if not hundreds, of applications that day.

So, what exactly is the “third door”? It involves being an opportunist. If you wait until a position has been advertised, you’ll likely be competing with hundreds of other applicants. The ideal situation is to apply before the job is even advertised, to get ahead of the competition.

Some time ago, I received a message on LinkedIn from someone who had seen an opportunity that my business had not capitalized on. They messaged me, offering to take advantage of the opportunity if I hired them. They sold themselves to me before I even realized I needed them. Although I did not hire them immediately, they messaged me again a few months later, and I ended up hiring them.

Unfortunately, LinkedIn is now full of spam, and most people rarely check it. As Alex Banayan says, LinkedIn is like banging on the side door; if it were that easy, everyone would be doing it. To get noticed, you may need to try multiple times. Consider sending a cold email or reaching out to them on Instagram, where they are likely to receive fewer messages. Even if they do not reply, it is not a problem; you can try again in a few months. However, be careful not to cross the line between selling yourself and being annoying.

I can’t tell you specifically how to do this; you’ll have to figure this out yourself. Here’s an example: if you’re a video editor, find a medium-sized YouTuber and explain why they should outsource video editing. Explain to them how you can make their videos look better than they currently do and how outsourcing editing will allow them much more time to film more videos.

Do the thing really well and build a portfolio.

According to Charlie Munger, the billionaire investor, businessperson, and former attorney, the best source of new business is in the work that is already on your desk. Focus on doing your work really well and make it obvious to those you work with that you are an A-player. By performing exceptionally, you will naturally connect with other A-players, who almost always want to work with other top performers.

“It’s the work on your desk. Do well with what you already have and more will come in” — Charlie Munger in Poor Charlie’s Almanak.

Be a great person to work with and make this obvious to everyone around you. By doing so, you will naturally receive references from previous employers, clients, or colleagues. If you excel at what you do, people will mention you to others, and you’ll never need to apply for another job again. The positions will come to you.

If work isn’t coming to you, as is the case for most people, then building a portfolio to showcase your skills and assets is essential. Remember, the work starts before you even apply for the job. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, create a portfolio of your work. If you’re a student, start a blog and write about the courses you’re taking. Make sure to emphasize this in your job application, as it demonstrates your ability to do the work they’re hiring for.

Make it easy for them to say yes.

If you take the third door approach, you need to make it easy for employers to say yes to hiring you. Recruiting is difficult, and finding the right person involves a lot of effort. Employers often struggle to identify the right person for the job. If they hire the wrong person, it can cost them up to 2.5 times their salary. To make it a no-brainer for them, showcase why hiring you is the best choice. If someone with the right skills approaches a recruiter and says, ‘Hey, I want you to give me a shot’, it’ll make it super easy for them to say yes.

Naval Ravikant, an entrepreneur and angel investor, believes that if he were to end up broke in a new city, he could become wealthy again within ten years. His strategy would be to build up his portfolio, approach people, and offer to work for free for a couple of weeks. This would make it easy for them to say yes. However, be mindful that offering to work for free can lead to being exploited. On the other hand, it can also be the difference between getting a chance and being ignored.

If someone were to approach me with an offer like the one below, I would give them a shot and pay them for their work, even if it didn’t work out after a month. If you’re in a position to try it, give it a shot. It may not work every time, but you might be surprised by the results.

“Give me a shot for a month, and if you don't like my services at the end of the month, you don’t have to hire me. It will have been a learning experience for both of us”.

Lead with value and cut the BS.

When writing your job application, focus on what you can do for the employer rather than fluffing up your experience and qualifications with a thousand words. Employers can see through unsubstantiated and overly flowery language, so avoid spewing hot air without any substance. Additionally, avoid jamming as many buzzwords and BS as possible. Do not use something like the following example:

“I will shortly be completing the second year of my degree, and I’m very eager to gain experience working in this industry during the semester break. My academic achievements and previous experience have prepared me to succeed in this position. While at University, I have spent time building teamwork and time management skills. I am focused and diligent when managing workloads and prioritising tasks to meet deadlines. I thrive in environments where I can make a positive impact around me, and I like complex problem-solving to find solutions to achieve results.”

The example above states the reasons why the applicant wants the position, why it is good for them, and includes some unsubstantiated buzzwords. Reading countless applications similar to this can become tedious. Employers are not particularly interested in how the position benefits the applicant, but rather how giving the position to the applicant benefits the company.

When applying for a job, keep your message brief and to the point. As George Orwell suggests, use simple language instead of complex words. Clearly state why the company should hire you, and focus on clarity rather than impressiveness. You want to come across as a clear communicator, not just an intelligent one. Here’s an example of what you could write when applying for a job:

“Working in this position over the semester break would be a dream come true! There are five reasons why I believe I am perfect for this role.”

Follow this up with reasons why hiring you will be valuable to them. This is easy to read. You’re saying, “here’s what I’m good at, and here’s evidence to prove it”. Substantiate this by using examples from your previous experience, and use metrics if possible.

Keep it short and tailor your application.

Opening an application that is several pages long can be overwhelming for an employer. Most employers prefer a concise CV that can be easily scanned to find the necessary information. To make it easy, keep your CV to one or two pages. If you have limited employment experience, keeping it short is easy. If you have more experience, you do not need to include everything you have ever done. Remove anything that is irrelevant and only include information that communicates value. Remember, write for clarity, not to impress.

Tailor your application to the position and the organization. Avoid the scattergun approach of submitting the same application to a thousand positions. Although it may seem time-consuming, taking the time to tailor your application can make the difference between success and failure. To do so, research the organization, read the position advertisement and job description, tailor your career profile and skills, and write a custom cover letter.

Layout and typography can make or break a CV. A poorly laid-out CV with confusing typography is difficult to read; you don’t want your application to be difficult. Luckily, there’s a quick and easy solution — use a template. Whether you’re using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, there are plenty of good-looking, well-designed free templates available.

Before starting to write your application, it’s important to understand the culture of the organization you’re applying to. Is it a “Dear Sir/Madam” or a “Hey friend” kind of place? A big part of what employers look for is cultural fit. It’s important to ask yourself if you fit in with the colleagues you’ll be working with. If you submit a formally worded application to a casual workplace, they may think that you don’t understand the vibe and that you’re not a good cultural fit. The same goes for more formal workplaces; take the time to adjust your writing style accordingly.

Go above and beyond in your application.

If you’re applying for many jobs, it may be difficult to do this. However, if there’s a position you’re particularly interested in, make sure to go above and beyond to stand out from the crowd. By doing so, you’ll catch the employer’s attention. Employers want to hire skilled individuals who are also passionate about their work. The way you demonstrate this will vary depending on the position you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for a copywriting job, ghostwrite a blog post that the employer could publish. If you’re applying for a graphic design job, create an animation that the employer could use. This is your chance to show the employer that you have great skills, passion, and deserve their attention.

Consider video applications.

Recording a video has become incredibly easy these days. You can learn the basics of videography, such as lighting and audio, as well as video editing, in just a single weekend. As an employer, reading dozens of applications can make them all blend together. However, a video application can help you stand out. It allows the employer to almost meet you and get to know you much better in a short video rather than a written CV.

Video applications can go both ways. Make sure you feel comfortable in front of the camera and aren't nervous, and pay attention to lighting, audio, camera angle and background.

Don’t forget the Applicant Tracking System.

Many recruitment agencies and large employers use automated software to pre-screen job applications. An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) functions as a robot that sorts through hundreds of applications and matches them to the job ad or description. A human will only review the applications that the ATS has determined to be a high enough match.

Here are some quick do’s and don'ts to help get your application past the ATS.

Do

• Use keywords from the advertisement or description in your application.
• Use text, not graphics. The ATS doesn’t pick up graphics.
• Write out acronyms. For example, write “Applicant Tracking System (ATS)” rather than just writing “ATS”.
• Use typical headings such as ‘Education’, ‘Qualifications’, ‘Experience’, ‘Skills’. This makes it easier for the ATS to categorise the sections of your application.
• Use an elevator pitch rather than a ‘career objective’. Include some key points from the advertisement in the elevator pitch.

Don’t

• Go overboard with too many keywords. The employer and a good ATS will see through this.
• Use images, graphics, shading or symbols. Most ATSs won’t pick be able to make sense of these.
• Answer mechanically. Don’t just select “Yes” or “No” to questions. If there is a text box, use this as an opportunity to sell yourself.
• Leave out the jargon. Include the terminology relevant to the position, especially if you’re applying for a technical position.
• Make spelling or grammatical mistakes.