Prepare Application Documents

In a land full of secrets and adventures, a brave soul embarks on an exciting quest – the search for the perfect job. But, as with any grand adventure, challenges and trials await. At the outset, a crucial decision must be made: Which path should the adventurer take? The direct application route, leading to an advertised position, or the mysterious path of speculative applications, where the goal remains hidden?

The Great Adventure of Application Begins:

Our brave traveller knows that preparation is the key to success. Without the right equipment, the journey to the goal will be rocky. But what does one need to win the heart of the HR department?

Speculative Application – The Expedition into the Unknown

Here, the adventurer steps into uncharted territory. There is no clear job posting, but with courage and skill, one can still make a compelling case without a direct invitation. The essential tools for this journey are:

• Cover Letter: Like a message to the rulers of the company, this single page explains why this particular kingdom is the right place. It shows that you have thoroughly prepared and studied the wisdom (information) about the company.

• One-Page CV: This magical scroll displays, on a single page, the skills and experiences you have gathered. Beware: superficial descriptions can jeopardize success. Each entry in the CV should clearly show what has been achieved.

• Certificates and References: The scrolls that attest to past achievements are indispensable. They prove the heroic deeds already accomplished and reveal to the company the strengths you possess.

Direct Application – The Targeted Attack on an Open Position

On this path, there is a clear goal: an advertised position. Here, the hero or heroine must proceed with precision. The tools for this route are:

• Cover Letter: This initial message is directed specifically at the job requirements. Unlike speculative applications, the focus here is on the job advertisement. Instead of uncertain words like "would" or "could," the applicant speaks confidently about their abilities.

• Job-Specific CV: The CV must be tailored to the requirements of the position. All relevant experiences and skills that match the advertised position are precisely listed.

• Certificates and References: As with speculative applications, evidence of past heroic deeds must not be omitted.

The CV – The Map of Past Adventures

The CV is like a treasure map that shows which paths and challenges the applicant has already navigated. Each skill and experience is clearly and understandably presented so that the HR guardians can immediately see what strengths are brought to the table. With the CV, your mission stands or falls!

But beware of the HR guardians. To convince them to let you proceed, you must speak the same language. If applicants come from a different professional land than the guardians, it often happens that they fail due to communication issues, as the HR guardians might not understand them. Applicants must therefore decode their treasure map using keywords so that even non-specialist guardians understand they may pass.

Be Cautious Here Too! In this world, there are automated systems known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan CVs for keywords. To overcome these machines, terms from the job advertisement (keywords) must be incorporated, so the CV is comprehensible to both humans and machines.

The CV is the most important key to new quests. In most cases, guild keepers only saw this magical parchment strip – no scrolls with reference spells or cover letters.

At first, guild masters were little interested in whether someone was particularly friendly or reliable. Their motto was: Time is gold. The more skills the adventurers already bring, the better. Even skills gained in training halls (university), as wandering helpers (working students), or during an apprenticeship (internship) were valued. It is important to mark these correctly.

Instead of presenting oneself as a master or mage, one could write: “Assisted companions with…” or “Contributed to…”. This way, they reach for the hidden keywords that show the guilds: “I may not be a master yet, but I already bring some skills.” This could give them an edge over other seekers who embarked on the journey without such knowledge.

On the list of required skills (keywords) are tools (tools) that are somewhat familiar and quickly learned because similar tools have been used before. For example:

“OpenOffice?”, is murmured while thinking of countless battles with Microsoft Office. “Almost like an old friend with a new face,” and the certainty is there that this skill can be quickly acquired.

With a steady hand, it is noted: “Document creation with Microsoft Office (similar to OpenOffice).” Similarly, for another tool – “GIMP” – the memory of training with Photoshop comes to mind. “Many images have already been edited with Photoshop,” it is confidently stated. “GIMP will not be unfamiliar.”

Next, “Jira”, a project management tool, is read. Experience with Trello comes to mind and it is cleverly written: “Project management with Trello (similar to Jira).”

An old rule, especially in the northern realms (DACH region), states: What you do not write in your CV, you have not accomplished.

Conclusion – The Journey to the Perfect Application

Whether speculative or direct application – each application tells a story. It shows the adventures, skills, and goals of the applicant. Honesty and clarity are crucial because only those who remain authentic will succeed in the quest for their dream job.

With this equipment and determination, the adventurer sets out into the wide world, ready to convince the HR guardians and find the company of their dreams!

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