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Original poster

Question for recruitment/HR/people in charge of hiring - the little details that get you noticed

43 replies

tectonicplates · 14/09/2020 12:45

Bearing in mind that I tend to work for small to medium private companies that ask for a CV and cover letter - I don't really apply for things like charities or public sector where they have more structured application forms, which is a very different world.

What are some of the little details that would make you accept or reject someone's application? I'm not talking about the big things like that the CV was full of spelling errors, or that the person was very obviously not suitable for the job. I'm talking about some little nuances, things along the lines of "I would've invited this person for an interview if it wasn't for this minor little thing that somehow put me off".

OP posts:
peachypetite · 14/09/2020 12:49

I’m recruiting at the moment. People who have spelling mistakes and bad grammar immediately go into the reject like. People who have not tailored their CV for the role. People who have not said why they are attracted to the role or anything about the company in the cover letter.

TempestHayes · 14/09/2020 13:04

I remain perplexed at the amount of CVs we are sent for software developer positions from people with no experience in software development, no knowledge of coding and no programming experience at all.

Maybe they just think it's all "sitting at a computer" and they'll just pick it up as they go.

Um, so my tip would be - have some experience!

wheresmymojo · 14/09/2020 13:13

Hiring managers spend about 15-30 seconds looking at your CV before deciding whether to reject it.

You want all your 'best bits', basically an Exec Summary of your best skills, qualifications and key (quantified) successes on the top half of the front page.

Why you are a brilliant fit for the role should smack them between the eyes.

Does your CV do this?

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wheresmymojo · 14/09/2020 13:15

If not then if you PM me I can share a template with you...

Twickerhun · 14/09/2020 13:17

Easy to read the main highlights. Your CV needs to be relevant.

People scan documents across the top line of any paragraph and then the first word on the left of each following line. So make the words there relevant.

Original poster
tectonicplates · 14/09/2020 13:25

@TempestHayes That's intriguing! What on Earth do their cover letters say? Dear X, I am writing to apply for the Software Developer position advertised on your website. I don't know the first thing about programming but I love messing about on Facebook so how hard can it be? I thought I'd give it a try.

I wonder if some of them are in a Jobcentre situation where they're told to apply for everything and anything. I know people are doing that anyway these days but I assumed it was for lower-skilled positions.

OP posts:
viccat · 14/09/2020 13:34

Understanding the role and organisation and tailoring what you write to that matters so much. So many people don't seem to do that at all. I can always tell if someone has applied because they really want to work for this particular organisation doing this particular role, or if they've sent out 10 other applications the same day and just changed the name they address at the top.

Really basic things like don't write a whole paragraph about how much you enjoy working as part of a big team if the role is going to involve working on your own for 90% of the time. Don't say you're great at managing people, leading teams and introducing new procedures if you're applying for a junior level role.

EmbarrassedUser · 14/09/2020 13:59

@peachypetite What’s a ‘reject like’ I’m changing careers soon. Interesting to know if I’m missing something here.

Twickerhun · 14/09/2020 14:16

Maybe consider auto correct options... pile and like could be easily mistyped.

Twickerhun · 14/09/2020 14:17

[quote EmbarrassedUser]@peachypetite What’s a ‘reject like’ I’m changing careers soon. Interesting to know if I’m missing something here.[/quote]
My last comment was in response to this... if not clear....

monsterad · 14/09/2020 14:21

@peachypetite

I’m recruiting at the moment. People who have spelling mistakes and bad grammar immediately go into the reject like. People who have not tailored their CV for the role. People who have not said why they are attracted to the role or anything about the company in the cover letter.
Irony!
monsterad · 14/09/2020 14:22

[quote EmbarrassedUser]@peachypetite What’s a ‘reject like’ I’m changing careers soon. Interesting to know if I’m missing something here.[/quote]
Reject pile I'm assuming

SeasonallySnowyPeasant · 14/09/2020 14:23

I'm a hiring manager. I like to see:

  • a covering letter stating exactly why you want this job in this company. Yes, I know it's because you need to pay the mortgage but some effort is appreciated.
  • a short, tailored paragraph highlighting your relevant experience and key skills.
  • work history in reverse chronological order, with a decreasing level of detail as you go further back. I recruit for special used roles so I really don't need to see the details of someone's Saturday job when they were at school, or to know about it at all really.
  • I might be odd in this but I do like to know people's pre-degree qualification grades. The roles I hire for require people to be sharp so I'll be more confident in someone who got 5 A-grades at A-level than a BCD. I don't need to know the subjects though.
  • a CV of no more than two sides of A4. I know it's tough but I will read the covering letter and profile carefully, skim-read the rest and assume the candidate doesn't know how to write concisely if it goes on much more than that.
Original poster
tectonicplates · 14/09/2020 14:25

To be fair, this is an online messageboard and not a job application.

OP posts:
SeasonallySnowyPeasant · 14/09/2020 14:25

Special used = specialist

peachypetite · 14/09/2020 14:31

Pile. On my phone.

Original poster
tectonicplates · 14/09/2020 14:31

Thanks everyone so far. I'm really looking for things like that the cover letter was fine, but there was one oddly-structured sentence in it that made you feel uneasy, or something like that. Not tailoring your application to the job still feels like a "big" thing if you see what I mean.

OP posts:
areallthenamesusedup · 14/09/2020 14:50

I love a cover letter that has two columns

Job requires. Here is my experience
xxxx. xxxx
yyyy yyyy

zzzz. zzzz

areallthenamesusedup · 14/09/2020 14:51

well, my previous attempt at layout didn't work....
but i hope you get the idea

EmbarrassedUser · 14/09/2020 17:34

@peachypetite Thanks. I had a feeling it might be that but wasn’t 100%. Glad I’m not missing anything out.

AlbaAlba · 14/09/2020 17:49

Don't mention your sideline or 'exciting business past' as an "ambassador for forever living" or whatever MLM, especially when presented as an unequivocally positive thing. In an otherwise decent CV for a high responsibility job, it really raises some questions about critical thinking (and whether you'll be pressurising other staff to join).

SimpleComforts · 14/09/2020 18:05

- I might be odd in this but I do like to know people's pre-degree qualification grades. The roles I hire for require people to be sharp so I'll be more confident in someone who got 5 A-grades at A-level than a BCD. I don't need to know the subjects though.

That is odd, I got great O levels then got "distracted" during sixth form.

A decade later I got a first in a very relevant degree but you'd right me off for my CEE?

You'd be missing out Wink And it's not helpful advice because who could change it anyway? Plus if you're using A level results to decide how "sharp" a person is, the subjects are very relevant.

SimpleComforts · 14/09/2020 18:11

OP, it really is the basics.

Even for quite high level jobs a huge % of applications are really badly done. Go through the person spec and make sure you've covered every aspect then get someone to check spelling and grammar, and you'll be well ahead of most.

Too many applications tell you why they want the job rather than why they'd be good at it.

ItchyScratch · 14/09/2020 18:19

When I read CVs I am sick of reading long paragraphs on their hobbies.

Example “I love the performing arts and recently started as the lead in a production of Oliver! And I also sing in a band every other weekend”

A simple “hobbies: acting/singing” Will be fine

DoubleHelix79 · 14/09/2020 18:27
  • be concise - two pages, focusing only on relevant information for THIS job
  • make extra sure there are no spelling, grammar or formatting isssues
  • use clear, precise language. Avoid waffle, repetition and clichés. Cut down the number of bullet points under each header to 3-6 at most. If within 30 seconds of picking up your CV i can't see that you tick most of the boxes then your application will be off the table.
  • research the job and the company. Tailor CV and cover letter accordingly. This should take at least an hour per application.this includes for example emphasising certain responsibilities or achievements over others in your career history.
  • in your cover letter cover the following topics: 1) why your experience and skills are relevant and valuable for this specific role 2) why your personality is a good fit for the role and the company 3) why you are interested in this particular role / company. Make sure you cover most major requirements outlined in the job description in the letter and/or the CV and give the impression that you're enthusiastic about the opportunity
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