SENDING YOUR APPLICATION VIA EMAIL

As more and more companies accept applications via email, it is important to know what to outline in the email and what attachments to include. Take a few moments to read the checklist below before you send out your application.

CVs
Send your CV as part of an email so that Page Personnel and your potential employer can read it on screen if they wish and as an attachment for them to print out. Make sure that you keep to the same format as a printed CV Don't try to do fancy things with your CV as these are often lost in the transmission stage.

Covering letters
Do write a covering letter. Make it shorter in an email as people are likely to be reading it on the screen. It is recommended that one or two paragraphs are sufficient. Use the same format as you would for your hardcopy. Never sacrifice quality for speed.

Communication
Remember that email communication in the application process requires careful attention as emails can often be misread. Make sure you write your email as per written letter. Do not treat it differently. For example, start your letter with: "Dear Mr Hughes, I am writing with reference......." and sign off with: "Yours sincerely".

CV do's
Communicate your strengths, your achievements, your initiative and your personality; in short, your credibility and suitability.
Your CV should be no more than two pages long. Think quality, not quantity. On average, readers absorb 60% of the first page, 40% of the second, and the third is generally a waste - this has been proven time and time again.
Aim to make an impact on the reader.
Put the greatest emphasis on your most recent positions. Summarize older roles. Include dates and months of employment for each.
Include your competence in foreign languages (basic, good, fluent), but be honest.
Be positive - don't be too modest and don't lie about your experience. Positive thinking is vital to secure that next position.
Tailor your CV to each job application. Tailor the CV to the company/department and position whenever possible. Although this may be time-consuming, it could just help you clinch that job! You could include a 'position sought' section in your CV for this purpose.

CV dont's
A badly prepared CV undermines the credibility of its contents.
If you cannot produce a professional document about yourself, an employer may conclude that you are unlikely to have the competence to fill an important job.
Don't make false/exaggerated claims: honesty is always the best policy. If the interviewer spots inconsistencies in your CV you won't be successful.
Don't provide personal information such as weight, height, and place of birth. You can include information about your interests, but keep it short.
Don't enclose a picture.
There is no need to include your 'hobbies'. If you have some outstanding achievements, such as 'Olympic Rower', there is clearly no harm in mentioning this: it may enhance the interview.
Don't include your required rate/salary. You cannot win - the figure will often be too high, or sometimes even too low. Negotiate this after you've got the job!

CV Content
Make sure your CV has a clear structure - include career overview, skills overview, qualifications (education/professional) and employment history.
Employers often make up their mind from reading the initial summary and key skills. Create a compelling summary on the first page and include a list of your key skills and key applications in bold. Note the quantity of experience you have for each key skill, e.g. Business Analysis (5 Years), Database Design (4 Years), etc.
Bullet points break up a CV well. Employers want to get straight to the salient points so direct them there. Important information should stand out but avoid using just one or two words.
Each bullet point should give the reader a feel for:
• When you instigated a particular idea/project. (Self-starter)
• When you are/were responsible for a particular task. (Primary influence)
• When you assisted on a particular task. (Secondary influence).
Give the reader a feel for the type of tasks and responsibilities that you can cope with and how proactive you have been.
Think about how you can break projects down into specific tasks. Any ad hoc projects must be backed up with examples of issues that were tackled on this basis.
Highlight achievements to demonstrate your successes.