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Having spent a fair chunk of the last few days going through covering letters and CVs, here are a few words of advice for applicants for environmental jobs. @walesbotanic
1. Remember that people doing the sift are very busy, and it has to be fitted into the day job. So make sure you keep your application to the point. Your carefully crafted 7 page covering letter will not be read!
2. Try to avoid clichés. These days, everyone is 'passionate about the environment'. So what - why is your application different?
3. I'm glad that you enjoy long walks in the countryside with your dog, but unless it's relevant, don't bother including it.
4. Check out your potential employer's website. Find a way to make it obvious you've done some background reading on them. This looks very good.
5. Chances are the person sifting your application will be assessing it against a series of criteria set out in the application pack. Your application might get only a couple of minutes check against these, so...
6....repeat each one specifically and in full, and then explain why you meet that criterion. This allows the sifter to move easily through your application form. They are only human, and will look on your application a lot more favourably.
7. Try to say something about each criterion, even if you don't fully meet it. That extra half point you pick up might make the difference between being shortlisted and not.
8. Also, address ALL of them. If they say that you need a full UK driving licence, say "I have a full UK driving licence". Don't make the sifter have to read between the lines.
9. Give examples. Don't just say 'I am a good team player', but explain situations in your past that can demonstrate that.
10. Check you're work - typo's are note a good lock. ;) And finally...
11...if you don't get shortlisted for interview, remember that the competition for these jobs can be extreme, and lots of good candidates (like you) will not have made the cut. Good luck!
