Job Application Response Within 10 Minutes? How? [April 2 eColumn]

A reply within 10 minutes of sending job application? How?

Last year I wrote a CV for a South African living and working in the Middle East. She’s into IT system integrations and Finance etc. So yesterday she e-mails me in a panic: she’s applying for a job in Singapore and is trying to put a cover letter together, “can you help?”

She’d written a letter but she wasn’t happy with it. And when I read it, to me, it was a bit clumsy and didn’t do much to convey the value and high quality that she represented.

So I rewrote it in about 10 minutes and sent it back to her, and went out to an appointment. When I got back there was an e-mail from her:

“I just sent off your cover letter version & got a response within 10mins.”

What was it that helped get that kind of response? 3 Things, I think.

1. A recruiter who could read. And who received the e-mail at a convenient moment. And who received the e-mail at a time when the position being applied for was on his/her mind, or something of a priority.

[From this you'll see there is a lot that's left to chance. It's NOT like "if you do it THIS way - you'll get a certain result" - although there are good and bad ways of doing things, there are many uncontrollable factors, which is why persistence is so important.]

2. Our job applicant was actually great for the job – that always helps! She has the experience, qualifications and has been trusted by good companies in doing her job.

[BUT - what so many good people do is to hide their 'great' profile away. They do so by never actually saying that they're great for the position. They spread their message over 8 pages of CV, 2 page-long cover letters, 10 line paragraphs - just too many words, too many pages. Never really getting to the point.]

3. My version of the cover letter got to the point and used the following formula:

• Clearly established the job being applied for [I used a bold heading for this]
• Used a 3 point bulleted list then to present the ‘hard’ items that would impress. Started the list with the word “offering”. Makes sense … the reader wants to know, “what are you offering me?? tell me now or go away”
• I went completely without the following: promises to “revolutionize” the company and bring in “higher profits”. Those may well be the end result – but come on, it sounds too much like sales talk. Sometimes its appropriate. Absolutely. But when there are ‘hard’, good skills, qualifications and experience then that’s what needs to feature strong. It’s about establishing credibility. That’s what gets the calls and quick response.

[Reality check - remember what I said earlier - "there are many uncontrollable factors" - just because you're the best person for the job, doesn't mean you're going to get the job! Just because you have a great cover letter, doesn't mean you'll get the quick response. There's all sorts of 'stuff' that goes on. So again, persistence is crucial - it's the big equalizer! (For "persistence" read, "keep trying, keep improving, keep targeting")]

Here’s the actual letter (without the frills, etc)

Application for Position: Great Plains Consultant – Singapore

Offering …

• 9 Years International Experience in ERP Consulting and Implementation Roles – Delivering Projects and Reporting in at CFO and SVP of Finance Level
• In depth knowledge of Great Plains Dynamics and Microsoft Business Solutions – Certified Great Plains Consultant, and MCSE
• Strong Management, Technical, Business and Training Skills Supported by a BComm Accounting Degree and Advanced IT Training and Knowledge

Now, don’t try to copy this letter – it was right for her, it won’t necessarily be for you. But pay good attention to the principles outlined above. Then tailor your letter to suit if you have a similar situation. One other thing was that I had the advantage of seeing the job advert first – which gave some insight on what they were looking for.

So there are some ideas on how to get quick response from your job applications. Hope it works for you. “Keep trying, keep improving, keep targeting.”

Interesting Things

www.debtcounsellingsa.co.za – if you’re under debt pressure go here. On the site it says: “No more letters you are too scared to open. No more phone calls you are too nervous to answer. Dealing with the problem rather than ignoring it gives you an instant feeling of relief.” They can help.