Modern Application: How to Really Convince Recruiters
The world of work is changing rapidly, and so are the requirements for modern job applications. What does a good application look like in 2024? A guide for orientation.
Whether it's your first real job or a change after a long time: Anyone facing the task of writing a convincing application has many questions in their head. What goes into the cover letter? Is that even necessary today? And how long can my resume be?
One thing that Berlin career coach Esther Kimmel suggests considering in every application is that the word "application" contains the word "advertising" - and that's in your own interest. Taking the time to make your application materials good is doubly worthwhile. After all, she says, good application documents also boost your own self-confidence. "Looking back on your own life with pride is always a good basis for the job interview."
So: get to work!
The resume: Focus on key qualifications
Candidates should formulate their resume or CV (Curriculum Vitae) in a performance-oriented manner and focus on clear key performance indicators, says Sebastian Kohler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at the personnel consulting firm Kempkens x Kohler. "What I have achieved should be reflected in three sentences like a pyramid."
This can look something like this:
- Responsibility: Was I a manager, team leader, or employee?
- Performance: What have I achieved in recent years? Have I been able to build a team? Or was I in a sales position and able to increase turnover?
- Personal contribution: Did I contribute something? Was I part of a team or did I have full responsibility for delivering this performance?
Today, personnel decision-makers would pay more attention to these KPIs and factors that can distinguish profiles from each other than to certificates or references from previous employers. Accordingly, they will come up in the job interview.
Esther Kimmel advises adapting the resume to the selected position in such a way that the required key qualifications jump out immediately. "A resume should not be a tiresome obligation, but a successful job application that allows the personnel manager to assess whether the applicant is up to the position."
A "fresh design" in the spirit of "form follows function" emphasizes the clarity of the most important information. Ideally, the information is distributed cleverly and aesthetically pleasing over two pages.
The cover letter: Away from standard formulations
"Definitely avoid standard formulations and don't write too long," says personnel consultant Sebastian Kohler. Esther Kimmel also advises: "The cover letter should always fit on one page." And above all, don't make the mistake of writing the resume again in the cover letter: "That's usually redundant and boring."
While the resume covers the past, the cover letter looks to the future and also takes into account soft skills such as communication and team skills or leadership qualities. For example: The courage to address unpleasant things and find good solutions, or to create an environment in which employees are motivated to work.
Above all, however, the cover letter should make clear what added value an applicant brings. It should also be clear what attracts you to a particular company, what motivates you, and what you hope to achieve with the new position.
For Sebastian Kohler, there is a standard logic in every application: "I am the right person for the job!" Conveying this, he says, "works by breaking down the essentials: concrete, plausible, and precise, in real numbers" - not through long-winded cover letters and rambling resumes.
Revealing personality: What makes me unique?
And how much should job applicants reveal about themselves today? "Hobbies often matter a lot," says Sebastian Kohler. "Sometimes, the cultural fit of a candidate with a company is more important than a qualification from their previous job." Personnel decision-makers also find volunteer activities interesting. In times when job applications have become more like "mass-produced goods," it's all about bringing the human factor into the profile, according to Kohler.
Esther Kimmel believes that the hobbies one mentions should not be too unusual. "It's good to see that a person is interested in things outside of work."
The Profile on Career Networks: Choose Keywords Wisely
For a successful job application, job seekers should also rely on job networks like Xing and LinkedIn. Personnel decision-makers actively use them for recruiting. "So, I advise my clients to make it easy to find them and lower the barrier for contact," says coach Esther Kimmel.
Those who want to stand out should think of these networks as databases. Kimmel's tip: "Choose and place keywords wisely and ask yourself with which keywords I would most likely be found for desired positions." For example, someone in public relations in a sustainable industry might use keywords like PR expert, PR manager, CSR, sustainability strategy, or corporate communications manager.
Moreover, contacts via Xing or LinkedIn can help give more weight to one's interest in a company or job application. For instance, by sending a connection request to the responsible HR employee - with a personal message about having applied for a specific job at the company.
In the context of job applications, Esther Kimmel suggests considering that the word "application" contains the word "advertising," meaning taking time to create good application materials can be beneficial for both the application and the applicant's self-confidence. When creating a resume, Sebastian Kohler recommends focusing on key performance indicators, formulating accomplishments in a clear and concise manner, and tailoring the resume to the desired position to highlight key qualifications.
