Applying for jobs online is a difficult process, especially now that there’s a lot of competition. You want to make sure that you do everything right and get noticed so that you can get the interview.
The good news is that there are things you can do to help yourself stand out from other applicants. Here are some dos and don’ts when applying for jobs on BrighterMonday Uganda
Table of Contents
The DO’s
1. Be Relevant for the job.
When you apply for a job, it’s important that you make sure you can do the job.
If you are applying for a cashier position at a supermarket, and your resume says that you have no experience in cashiering, then there’s no way they will hire you.
It is also important that if there are certain skills or qualities the employer wants in their employees (such as being punctual), then make sure those things appear on your resume.
For example: I am applying for a data entry position with BrighterMonday Uganda and my resume states that I have excellent computer skills and am very good at working with numbers.
2. Tailor your CV to the role.
When applying for a job, you should make sure that your CV is tailored to the role. This means that your CV should have the right keywords and skills in place.
It shows that you have had experience doing similar jobs before, or at least done activities related to what they want someone with your qualifications to do.
You can misrepresent yourself by having skills not listed on your CV and this will make it difficult for employers to find you when searching through their database.
3. Read the instructions carefully.
- Read the job description carefully.
- Check if you meet the requirements.
- If you do not have all of the requirements, do not apply for this job.
If you are close to meeting the requirements, but need some additional skills or experience in order to do so, it is still worth applying for the job with your current set of skills and experience. You can explain that in your cover letter and hopefully still be considered by the employer.
4. Check if you match the requirements of the job.
If you are close to meeting the requirements of the job but not quite there, don’t be afraid to apply. You may even have a chance of being selected for an interview if you can explain why you are a good fit for them and why they should hire you. For example:
I am very interested in working at your company because I believe I am able to fulfill all requirements for this position. I have been working as a sales associate at ABC Company since 2014 where I have developed excellent customer service skills and knowledge on how to track inventory levels through Excel spreadsheets.
My previous experience also includes managing multiple projects while maintaining strict deadlines which can be used here too! As part of my application process here at BrighterMonday Uganda I would like some guidance on how best to prepare myself in order to get ready for interviews so that when time comes around (which hopefully it will) we are both satisfied with our decision making process together.”
The DON’Ts
1. DON’T ignore the key words in the job description.
You should never ignore the key words in a job description. Keywords are the special words that employers use to describe what they want their employees to do on the job.
The reason why you should not ignore these keywords is because they show you exactly what your employer is looking for, and it will help you put together an application that clearly demonstrates that you have those skills and abilities.
2. DON’T Click “Apply” if you do not have what they are looking for.
Do not apply for a position if you do not meet the requirements in the job description. If this is the case, it means that you are not qualified for the job and therefore should not waste your time or theirs by submitting an application.
Even if you are very close to meeting their minimum requirements but can’t quite do so in all areas of skill or experience, don’t hesitate to still apply if possible!
In conclusion
Applying for jobs can be hard to do, but it’s important that you do it well so that you get noticed by employers. I mean quality is better than quantity.
When applying for jobs, make sure that you fill out the application completely and accurately. An employer might not hire someone if he or she doesn’t have complete information about them available online.
