NederlandsCountless they are. Lists with tips & tricks and do's & don'ts for applicants. The Monsterboards of this world thrive on it, in their frantic attempt to show that you as an applicant are lost without their help. There's nothing wrong with those lists, by the way. All those tips are true. Of course you don't bully your current employer (and no, not even after the semi-apologetic: “I know it's really not supposed to be, but ...” and then I'll get a bucket of misery). Those tips are correct. Use it to your advantage.
But I will give a tip that really works. Which is so logical that 90% of applicants do nothing with it. That is not logical. I will reveal the secret. The premise is the following. As unlikely as it may sound, the recruiter reading your letter and resume is eager to hire you. Echt true!
The secret
You have to take care of 2 things (as if it's nothing, huh?).
a) the crushing 1st impression. I'm not going to dwell on that any further, because so much has already been done. No, it gets interesting at B. B is the intro to the secret.
b) after the overwhelming 1st impression, while reading, the recruiter will look for confirmation of the 1st impression in relation to the vacancy . Whether in a letter or in a conversation. 'Yes, he is a team player!' 'Yes, he also worked with excel!' 'Yes, he is willing to work early shifts! Raise the flag!' I charge a little.
Partner with the recruiter
So put yourself in the reader's shoes. What information gives the reader the confirmation he is looking for? And now we really come to the core: Show that you understand the position, that you see the relevance of the criteria set. Then you suddenly become a huge ally with the recruiter. Then you don't even have to score a pass on everything! Then you just say, “I imagine it helps if I already have a network in Utrecht . I really see the importance of that. Unfortunately I don't have it yet, but I do have a number of acquaintances living there, and I would work on building my network”. I'll just call it a cross street. Then you sit at the table with me.
Pitfall
There is a common pitfall. Often applicants do not think from the position of the position, but from their own perspective. Then comes a whole story of positive points, talents, successes and qualities. All nice and nice, but that's not the point at all. If you understand the function, and the motivation shows you to improve on points that need it, then you have won a lot. Give it a try.
Sil v i e of den B erg is community manager at Actief Werkt! and was previously Corpo rate Recruiter . She writes about recognizable situations from the field of 'Recruitment and Selection'.