What I Look for in a Job Applicant

I have run my company for 8 years now and have seen it grow from a 3-person company to a 25-person company today. Over the years, I have screened through thousands of CVs and have employed different types of people, both inexperienced and experienced. So what do I look out for in an application and a candidate?

Just imagine, each time we post for a position in the job portal or papers, we get tons and tons of email applications. I would classify these applicants into 3 broad categories: The Just-try-their-market-value-only, the Sincere ones and the quite Hard-up ones.

The Just-try-their-market-value-only applicant

These category of applicants are the most insincere ones who just want to see if there is any opportunity to change from their current jobs. They can be spotted by submitting their CVs which may not be relevant to the position advertised. Their CVs are always all ready to be sent out. Sometimes, their cover letter may even spot their intention with the wrong position in the title. It simply shows they have been conveniently submitting CVs to many companies. This category of applicants appear mostly in good times, when everyone is looking for career advancement.

The Sincere applicant

This category is of course the ones that employers seek. It is not easy to pick such CVs out. But putting effort in writing a good cover letter and concise CVs do help to play a part in catching the employer's attention.

Usually fresh graduates fall into this category as they have no working experience and are genuinely looking to start their career.

The Hard-up one

This category comprises those who are out of job or whose current job is in jeopardy. They are usually in the mid-career age and are married with children. Foreigners with work permit passes easily fall into this category because their permit expires within one month upon quitting their current job. These applicants come in hordes during bad times.

Tips to Landing an Interview:

1. Include your photo. Many people neglect this. Your photo is the first impression that the employer will get. A picture paints a thousand words.

2. Write a good and sincere cover letter. Write briefly about yourself and how you may be sutiable for the position.

3. Organise your CV layout well. Lay out your work experience in point form for easier reading. For each company you have worked for, you may want to classify the different projects that you have involved. Do not be too wordy because the employer has many other CVs to read.

4. To show your sincerity, you may want to be kaisu. Besides sending your application online, you may like to send a physical copy via snail mail. Remember, you are competing with hundreds of applicants out there. By sending another hard copy may give yourself more chance. It leaves greater impression of you if the employer has seen your email application and also received hard copy later. It also helps to create the impression of sincerity of the applicant.

5. Make a phone call to the company if you do not hear from them about 1 week after the closing date. Although it may sound bashful, it creates an impression to the employer. He may try recalling your application if you make the call. But don't overdo it. You may sound more like desperate than sincere.