WE ARE NOT PREPARING OUR FUTURE STARS

Abigail Stevens, Managing Director of Think Global Recruitment writes...

A recent survey has shown that 45% of potential graduate applicants are being rejected for mistakes on applications, lack of interview preparation or technique. 47% are being rejected for a lack of relevant experience.

School leavers and graduates are not preparing themselves well enough for the business world.  They are underestimating work experience and a large proportion of first job applications being submitted for vacancies are being rejected for very simple and avoidable reasons.

Covering notes are essential when applying for jobs, consider it the introduction to the Company and role you are applying for. It is not good enough to just blindly send a CV to someone and expect a response. Use the covering letter to entice the recipient to read your CV. Fiona Godsman, the CEO of the Scottish Institute for Enterprise says “We get a lot of applications for our positions. If there is no properly tailored application letter, then they rarely get interviewed. Even worse, they haven’t changed the letter, so it says “I really want to work for xxxx”, with xxxx being another organisation!”

Emma Marriott , Director at Contract Scotland Ltd   Agreed with Fiona stating ‘Whilst we are trying not to be overly picky about spelling/grammar, if our adverts demand a cover letter and nothing comes through it shows another churned out application, inability to digest information or even take instruction!’

I personally have reviewed and provided advice to enhance literally thousands of CVs in the 18 years I have been involved in recruitment and am amazed that applications have got worse, not better in recent years.  In an age when everyone uses a computer to create an application, there is no excuse for spelling mistakes.   

For those that successfully pass through the CV screening process, candidates are failing badly at the interview stage. Lack of preparation for interviews is very easy for any experienced recruiter to notice. This can demonstrate the individual is not really that keen on the opportunity, that they may cut corners in the work place, or have a lack of attention to details.  One of the most bizarre questions I have been asked in an interview situation was when the candidate was asked if they had any questions, the response was ‘Yes. Can you please tell me what your company does.’   It is important to ask questions to engage with your interviewer but ensure that the questions show enthusiasm for the job and not a severe lack of preparation.

We have our future generation of the business world coming out of University with very desirable attributes but are letting themselves down in areas that are inexcusable.  Below are what may seem to be very obvious hints and tips, but are essential when it comes to applying for your dream job;

• Use all the resources that your University offers you, placements/work experience in your area of study is absolutely priceless and shows a desire to work in that particular field, whether this is done through your University or off your own back.
• Always, always, ALWAYS add a covering letter/email tailored to the exact job that you are applying for, not just a brief ‘Please find enclosed my CV’
• Use the cover note as a sales pitch, it’s your 10 second introduction to entice the recipient into opening the Email and seriously looking a your CV.
• Get someone else to read and re-read your application to ensure that every statement is required and makes sense.
• Phone the company you’ve applied for a few days after you send your email, it puts a personality to your CV and makes you stand out, but always be polite.
• Research the company as much as possible prior to the interview, the Internet is a tool that should be exploited, there is no excuse. Do your research as this shows how much you want the job.
• Competency questions are as common as ever, research these to practice some answers in the line of work that you are applying for. This is a very good habit to get into.

 Top Ten application mistakes

10. Interview Technique – Interviewer ‘Please describe a time when you resolved a conflict situation and talked someone else around to your way of thinking.’ Interviewee: ‘At a night club last weekend, I had to talk a really aggressive guy around from hitting my mate’.

9. Application Mistakes – Application sales role.  Covering email said ‘CV attached’, they couldn’t even sell themselves.

8. Application Mistakes - Spelling mistakes on application covering email for PA role.

7. Interview Technique - Getting the interviewers name wrong at the start of the interview and continued to do so, but with different names each time.

6. Lack of Interview Preparation  - Applicant had final interview with the Managing Director. When discussing possible career progression, an organisation chart was produced. The applicant asked ‘so where do you fit on this chart?’

5. Interview Technique - Applicant asked why they wanted to work for the organisation they applied to. The reply was ‘because the agency told them to’.

4. Interview Technique - Interviewer asked applicant if they had any questions. Applicant ‘Firstly, what salary will you pay me? Secondly what hours do I have to work? I am looking for a life balance’. 

3. Lack of Interview Preparation  - Interviewee when asked if they had any questions about the job replied ‘yes can you tell me what your company does?’

2. Lack of Interview Preparation  - Financial Services professional thought he had the job in the bag. He was almost right. Being a specialist with highly sort after skills, moving from one major international firm in London to another. He turned up to his final interview late, with a black eye. No apology, but when asked said ‘I was out with a few of your staff last night and we got drunk, I fell over’. He really thought the name dropping regarding socialising with other members of their team would clinch the deal! The interview was keen to fill the position, but not desperate.

1.  Application Mistakes/Lies - An applicant had already applied to same company 2 years previously, but the process hadn’t moved to offer because they went elsewhere. The company was delighted to see they were applying again, until the original interview notes were pulled out. The dates on her previous CV and new one did not match. Whole jobs had been left out. Yes the new CV was more impressive; however it was a pack of lies.