English for Job Application
Job application preparation
Job search, advertisement analysis, cultural difference awareness, etc.
When you want to find a job, no matter whether you are a fresh graduate or a worker who wants to change your present occupation, the following are several important issues which you need to pay attention to.
Section A: Job search
The process of looking for a job may be intimidating and challenging. However, if you prepare well and consider the following aspects, you will find this process much easier for you.
1. Understand yourself
Analyse yourself to find out which type of occupation is suitable for you and you would like to be engaged in. Ask yourself the following questions:
• What type of person are you? – You need to know your own personality.
• Which type of job are you interested in? – Take your interests into account.
• What strengths do you have? – Consider your skills.
• How much salary do you want? How much workload can you endure? – Establish your expectations.
Then, you will have a clearer mind about what you are searching for.
2. Prepare your cover letter and resume well
If you are writing to different companies to apply for a job, make sure that you prepare your cover letter and resume according to the requirements of each company so as to let them know that you are a suitable candidate for them. Do not send the same one to every company you are writing to.
3. Use different media to search for jobs
Use different methods to look for jobs:
- You can read the newspaper, and use search engines such as jobsdb.com, cpjobs.com, careerjet.hk, etc.
- You may also post your intention of finding a job on the social media to let more people know your situation.
- Some companies regularly post their vacancies on their own websites. Therefore, you may see if there are any suitable ones for you there.
- Another way to find jobs is to attend job exhibitions. Many companies have counters for candidates to acquire information about their vacant positions.
- One more method is to make use of your networking to see if there are any people who can give you information in this aspect.
4. Equip yourself
The prospective employer will not reply to you at once. During the period of waiting, prepare yourself well. Do research on the companies you have written to: find out what type of business they are doing, what their mission is, what they are specializing in, what type of people they are looking for, etc. After this, you can think of what types of questions they will ask you during the job interview and prepare for your answers.
You can also make use of this waiting period to learn the suitable skills the companies want their employees to possess.
5. Make a table
Create a table for the companies you have sent application to including the company names, the addresses, the fields of businesses, and the dates you sent the application. In this way, you will know which companies have replied to you later and prepare well for the questions in the interviews.
6. Send a thank-you letter or email
After the interview, send a thank-you letter or a thank-you email to your prospective employer to show your gratitude in order to leave a good impression on him/her.
Section B: Advertisement analysis
A job advertisement shows a company’s culture including its aims and values. If a job seeker can analyse a job advertisement well, it can help him/her write a good cover letter and resume suitable and attractive to that company. The following are some tips on how to analyse a job advertisement:
1. What type of position is advertised
What is the position required by the company?
What is the job title?
Is there any description on the role played by this position?
2. What duties are there for the position advertised
What responsibilities does the vacant position carry?
Are you able to fulfil all those responsibilities satisfactorily if you are employed?
3. What are the qualifications, skills and experience
Notice the qualifications, skills and experience required by the company for that position. Can you meet these requirements?
Look for words such as “the suitable candidate should/must have…” or “must possess the knowledge of …”.
4. How much salary
Does the job advertisement contain any information about the salary of the position?
Does it match your expectation?
5. Promotion prospects
Does the advertisement state any promotion prospects: any advancement in the career path which you can consider?
6. The application process
Read the advertisement carefully to find out how to apply for the job. Besides the cover letter and the resume, does the company require the applicant to send anything else such as a photo or a copy of your certificates?
Is there any application form which you need to download and fill in?
Do not miss any of these; otherwise, they will think that you are a careless person and will not consider you as a suitable candidate for the position.
Section C. Cultural difference awareness
If you are applying for a job from an international company, you need to be aware of the culture of the country that the company comes from to understand the correct etiquette including writing the application letter and attending the interview.
1. Body language
People from most countries shake hands as a form of politeness. However, in some countries, people put their palms together when they meet others.
2. Introducing yourself
In some cultures, it is normal to talk about your strengths and of course your weaknesses. Nevertheless, in other ones, it is regarded as boasting when you mention your strengths in a straightforward manner, while it will give the interviewer(s) a negative impression if you talk about your weaknesses.
3. Career goals
People in some cultures can discuss their own career goals directly and openly. On the other hand, people in other cultures just follow the goals set by their companies.
4. Asking questions
During the interview, it may be good to ask questions in some cultures to express your interest in the position, but in other cultures, having queries seems to be quite a disrespectful behaviour.
5. Gender
Some occupations are more suitable for men while some are more suitable for women. In some cultures, higher positions are reserved for males and females are not considered. You need to think about this aspect when you apply for a job.
Section D. Other issues to consider for job application preparation
- Make your social media profiles systematic. If the prospective employer wants to view your profiles, you can give him/her a good impression.
- Remember to update your resume from time to time. There may be new skills you have acquired and new courses you have completed. Make sure that you have added these into your resume. On the other hand, delete old information which you think is not useful to you for the current application of jobs.
- Always keep your certificates in a safe place and ensure that you know where to find them when necessary. Make enough copies of them for you to use.
- Notice if there are written tests for the job applicants before the interview. Don’t arrive late for the tests.
Exercise
Watch a YouTube clip about some tips of job search (0:56-6:43) and answer the questions.
In your professional network
Pinpoint positions you would like to apply for or companies you’d like to work with.
Sharing your thoughts, your ideas and your opinions with others inside private groups
Get your career documents ready.
To make sure it aligns with your resume, your LinkedIn profile and your cover letter.
To conduct informational interviews
Talk about a birthday they had or something they were doing with a family member.
Further References
1. How to Analyse Adverts for Job Applications
This webpage gives information on the steps of how to analyse advertisements on the application of jobs.
https://www.wikihow.life/Analyze-Adverts-for-Job-Applications
2. 8 Simple Ways to Organise Your Job Search
This website provides information on why organising job search is important and how to organise your job search.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/organize-job-search
3. 15 Job Search Strategies and Tips for Getting Hired
In this video, the speaker talks about how important job search strategies are and shares his tips on a variety of job hunting techniques.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl4nXynsWF4