Link: http://www.acetalentnet.com.au/role_application_tips.php

as published in the Professional Edge April08...

There is no doubt that it is a candidates market, with job ads and role vacancies still at historical highs. There is also little doubt that in the main, the recruitment industry can do better when it comes to managing candidate applications, feedback and the selection process in general.

aCE talentNET certainly strives to be different in this regard, having very clear service standards for both clients AND candidates. However, from our experience over the years in reviewing thousands of candidate/consultant/contractor applications we are constantly amazed and frustrated by a number of recurring practices from role-seekers.

The following identifies a few tips to help guide you when you next find yourself putting your CV out there for that next golden opportunity.

Always provide a covering covering letter or paragraph
- identifying why you are interested in the role and broadly summarise your skills and experience relevant to the specifics of the job ad or opportunity.

Provide a comment on availability / notice period
- particularly for contract opportunities.

Don't enter the process if you are not comfortable with the advertised salary / daily rate range
- it is rarely a good idea to head down the selection path on the basis that you will be able to negotiate a higher salary / daily rate at offer stage.

Ensure you have an up-to-date Professional CV
- you would be surprised how many times we advise applicants that they do not meet the pre-requisite role requirements for XYZ reasons, only to then be told they have done this but it's not in their CV.

Be flexible
- even if the diary is full!

Be prepared and dress appropriately
- should be a given, but alas, not.

Follow Up
- immediately following an interview contact the recruiter to get feedback re your performance and any next steps.

We hope the above helps...many of you reading this will think these all quite obvious points. But we're here to tell you we see these mistakes being made daily and not just by the younger generation. The majority of applicants for aCE roles would be aged 30+ so it seems we all have something to learn.

Click Here to get more detail around these 7 steps.