DESKTOP
It can be hard to know where to start when you are thinking of embarking on a new career. The transition from student life to a professional role feels like a big step and can often be a daunting one.
Careers fairs can be a good place to start as well as talking to people you know who already work in your industry of interest. Following through with some work experience or even a work placement can then give you an unbeatable insight into what that career might really look like on a day-to-day basis (for better or worse) and the different paths you could take within it. However, once you are sure that you would like to give it a try, how can you maximise your chances of winning a coveted role in your profession of choice?
In my years of working at Exploristics, I have held various technical and managerial roles and been closely involved in our recruitments drives. In doing so, I have attended numerous careers fairs and so have come to understand the trepidation that many people feel, as well as the pitfalls that that they can often fall into, when applying for their first professional position. Therefore, to help make this initial step a little easier I have tried to summarise the best approach to take if you choose to apply for a role at Exploristics.
Smoothing your path to a more successful application:
Firstly, read the job advert in full.
This will help you to gain a good understanding of what we do and what we’re looking for. We always give candidates the option to reach out to us for more information before they apply for any role. Do feel free to take us up on this. It is a useful way for you to find out more about what the role will involve and what we are like as a company before you apply. You can also learn more about us from our website or by following us on social media via Twitter or LinkedIn.
Check the essential and desirable criteria listed on the job role.
We are an equal opportunities employer and adopt employment policies which show our commitment to that principle. During the first round of recruitment, we will assess if your qualifications and skills fulfil the essential criteria listed in the job role to create our first shortlist. Therefore, for the best chance of success it is helpful to make sure that you review these criteria carefully and decide how well your skillset matches against them. We will only move to using desirable criteria for selection purposes if we receive a large number of applications from applicants who meet the essential criteria. Whatever desirable criteria is used will be consistently applied to assess all applications.
Make us feel special.
We all like to feel special, so for the very best chance of being selected for an interview with us you should tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight why you would be a perfect fit. While this might feel laborious when applying to multiple companies in your job search, it is well worth the effort whether applying directly or via an agency. It will help you both to gauge how compatible we really are and give you a chance to stand out from other candidates by showing off your interest and commitment.
To help with this, here are a few top tips for your CV and cover letter:
Your CV should be no longer than two pages
This means that while you should fully outline your career to date so that there are no blanks, it is best to provide extra detail only for positions or experience which are most relevant to the role you are applying for.
Spell out your applicable skills
The wording you use in your application should reflect what is listed in the essential and desirable criteria of the job role. It is best to directly reference your relevant skills and experience, highlighting the positive impact your work has had.
Your cover letter should include anything that’s not listed on your CV
This provides a valuable opportunity to express why you would like to work with us and what you could bring to the team. Make sure that you highlight how the benefits would be mutual and why you would be the perfect fit.
Teamwork counts
As a company full of talented people who drive innovation by a constructive exchange of ideas with each other and our customers, we prize great teamwork. Therefore, being able to highlight in your cover letter where you have worked as a team and how you have been able to make a positive contribution in doing this gives you an excellent chance to demonstrate that you share our core ethos and values.
Good written communication shows that you have what it takes
Many of our positions are highly technical but soft skills such as good communication are also essential for carrying out these roles. While an interview will give you the chance to demonstrate your verbal skills, your CV and cover letter provide a valuable opportunity for you to show us your written ones. Attention to detail in ensuring that your application avoids spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or even naming the wrong company can help to make a great impression and is the first step in showing us that you share the same exacting standards that our customers expect from us.
Be positive
Once you make it through to interview, a ‘can do’ attitude can show us that you really belong. At Exploristics, we value diversity and the different perspectives that people bring with them when they join us. However, as innovators what we all share is a positive approach to tackling each new challenge as it arises. So, even if you don’t seem to have all the ‘right answers’ or have limited experience at the start of your career, by being prepared to give it your best shot you can showcase your true potential. Exploristics could then be the right place for you to discover how best to unlock it.
Primed for success
By following this simple guide, you will be taking the first steps on your professional path to greater success. I wish you the very best of luck!
MOBILE
It can be hard to know where to start when you are thinking of embarking on a new career. The transition from student life to a professional role feels like a big step and can often be a daunting one.
Careers fairs can be a good place to start as well as talking to people you know who already work in your industry of interest. Following through with some work experience or even a work placement can then give you an unbeatable insight into what that career might really look like on a day-to-day basis (for better or worse) and the different paths you could take within it. However, once you are sure that you would like to give it a try, how can you maximise your chances of winning a coveted role in your profession of choice?
In my years of working at Exploristics, I have held various technical and managerial roles and been closely involved in our recruitments drives. In doing so, I have attended numerous careers fairs and so have come to understand the trepidation that many people feel, as well as the pitfalls that that they can often fall into, when applying for their first professional position. Therefore, to help make this initial step a little easier I have tried to summarise the best approach to take if you choose to apply for a role at Exploristics.
Smoothing your path to a more successful application:
Firstly, read the job advert in full.
This will help you to gain a good understanding of what we do and what we’re looking for. We always give candidates the option to reach out to us for more information before they apply for any role. Do feel free to take us up on this. It is a useful way for you to find out more about what the role will involve and what we are like as a company before you apply. You can also learn more about us from our website or by following us on social media via Twitter or LinkedIn.
Check the essential and desirable criteria listed on the job role.
We are an equal opportunities employer and adopt employment policies which show our commitment to that principle. During the first round of recruitment, we will assess if your qualifications and skills fulfil the essential criteria listed in the job role to create our first shortlist. Therefore, for the best chance of success it is helpful to make sure that you review these criteria carefully and decide how well your skillset matches against them. We will only move to using desirable criteria for selection purposes if we receive a large number of applications from applicants who meet the essential criteria. Whatever desirable criteria is used will be consistently applied to assess all applications.
Make us feel special.
We all like to feel special, so for the very best chance of being selected for an interview with us you should tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight why you would be a perfect fit. While this might feel laborious when applying to multiple companies in your job search, it is well worth the effort whether applying directly or via an agency. It will help you both to gauge how compatible we really are and give you a chance to stand out from other candidates by showing off your interest and commitment.
To help with this, here are a few top tips for your CV and cover letter:
Your CV should be no longer than two pages
This means that while you should fully outline your career to date so that there are no blanks, it is best to provide extra detail only for positions or experience which are most relevant to the role you are applying for.
Spell out your applicable skills
The wording you use in your application should reflect what is listed in the essential and desirable criteria of the job role. It is best to directly reference your relevant skills and experience, highlighting the positive impact your work has had.
Your cover letter should include anything that’s not listed on your CV
This provides a valuable opportunity to express why you would like to work with us and what you could bring to the team. Make sure that you highlight how the benefits would be mutual and why you would be the perfect fit.
Teamwork counts
As a company full of talented people who drive innovation by a constructive exchange of ideas with each other and our customers, we prize great teamwork. Therefore, being able to highlight in your cover letter where you have worked as a team and how you have been able to make a positive contribution in doing this gives you an excellent chance to demonstrate that you share our core ethos and values.
Good written communication shows that you have what it takes
Many of our positions are highly technical but soft skills such as good communication are also essential for carrying out these roles. While an interview will give you the chance to demonstrate your verbal skills, your CV and cover letter provide a valuable opportunity for you to show us your written ones. Attention to detail in ensuring that your application avoids spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or even naming the wrong company can help to make a great impression and is the first step in showing us that you share the same exacting standards that our customers expect from us.
Be positive
Once you make it through to interview, a ‘can do’ attitude can show us that you really belong. At Exploristics, we value diversity and the different perspectives that people bring with them when they join us. However, as innovators what we all share is a positive approach to tackling each new challenge as it arises. So, even if you don’t seem to have all the ‘right answers’ or have limited experience at the start of your career, by being prepared to give it your best shot you can showcase your true potential. Exploristics could then be the right place for you to discover how best to unlock it.
Primed for success
By following this simple guide, you will be taking the first steps on your professional path to greater success. I wish you the very best of luck!