Let’s talk about applying to enter the world of work

IT’S APPROACHING the time of the year when many school leavers will be vying to enter the working world.

Undoubtedly many of them may have already started applying to companies and organizations hoping to be considered for employment. I still remember many moons ago, how the month I spent at home after graduating college seemed like an eternity. Job hunting can be a daunting and an exhausting process. However, I want to share a few tips with you that could help you transition from job seeker to new employee faster.

I’ll start with a story, some years ago.Whilst interviewing for a position, I came across someone I would consider a ‘bright blub’. Sometimes I would meet a young person that stands out above the rest. Their light seems to burn brighter, and I would say to myself, I can’t wait to see what that person becomes.

She was one of those people. The interview panellists all agreed that she was the one we wanted on the team. From all indications, she supported the impressive CV submitted, and she was rewarded with the position. A couple weeks before the agreed start date, I went to an establishment and saw someone with a striking resemblance to the young lady. In a conversation with her subsequently as we finalized the employment process, I mentioned that I had seen someone who had a striking resemblance to her and asked if she had a sister working there. She said no and dismissed the topic. I thought that was strange but also dismissed the topic with the thought that maybe it was a sister she did not know about.

Fast forward, two days on the job, I learnt that the ‘bright blub’ was too bright for her own good. She cunningly misrepresented herself in her application and was the person I saw with a striking resemblance and thought it was a sister. Flabbergasted. I sought to understand what could have motivated her to misrepresent herself and to further cover up the lie when she was asked about it. The relationship with my company ended swiftly.

Be authentic in your application. In any new relationship, authenticity and honesty are key.

Quite often I receive an application and think, this person could have at least researched how to write a cover letter. Sometimes the letter is addressed to some other company, makes no mention of the job that they are applying for or of any of the applicant’s personal attributes.

I suggest that you spend some time thinking about why you are applying for the job or to the company and about what you have to offer – why you think you can be an asset. Customize your application.

If you are applying to an organization, you should at least take the time to find out the name of the person you should address the application to and address that person by name. Highlight the qualifications or experience you have that are applicable to the position you are applying for or to the company.

Do not lie about your qualifications and experience. What you consider a small lie would haunt you for the rest of your life. Some years ago, a position was being advertised in a company I worked for, an employee who was in one of the departments I managed was interested in the position and applied for it using qualifications she had falsified. She had used those same qualifications previously to land the position with the company and the documents were never authenticated. This time, someone who was also interested in the position and knew of her educational career raised an alarm. She lost her job and gained a criminal record.

Date your application and absolutely do not forget to include contact information. I have received many applications with no telephone number or email address and felt like my time was being wasted.When searching for a job, many people apply for every job vacancy they come across hoping that they will get lucky. Keep in mind that you may not always get acknowledgement if you apply for a job that you do not have the basic qualifications and experience for.

If you have applications out, then you should always be expecting a call. Some people have a habit of ignoring calls from unknown numbers or numbers they are unfamiliar with. Why apply for jobs and be selective who you take calls from. Also, some people answer all calls in a casual and unprofessional manner – again, if you are expecting to be contacted then you should always be presenting your best self.

Next week, we’ll discuss preparing for an interview and, how to present yourself or an interview