A is for…. Applications #atozchallenge April 1, 2012
Posted by travisthetrout in a to z challenge, Job Applications.1 comment so far
I often get asked how I keep track of your job applications / interviews and make sure everything is followed up. These are my solutions. One of them will suit you.
- using paper in the form of a progress journal;
- using Gmail</a to keep track of job applications;
- using an iPhone app (My Job App)
- using a web app (apply mate).
As mentioned previously the first two require the individual to be naturally organised to help them maintain their progress and keep it up to date. The last two options are much more suited for those who aren’t naturally organised but gives you the prompts for information and reminders which help you remember what information you should note down. But they still requires you to use the apps and check it.
Any graduate looking for a job tends to juggle a lot of applications (and with some recruiters taking months to get back to you about an interview) any of these solutions help you keep on top of everything.
QOTW: How to Keep Track of Job Applications (the round-up) March 9, 2011
Posted by travisthetrout in Job Applications, Organisation, QOTW.6 comments
I often get asked how I keep track of your job applications / interviews and make sure everything is followed up. After being asked specifically about web app options this is my latest offering.
I have blogged previously about:
- using paper in the form of a progress journal;
- using Gmail to keep track of job applications;
- using an iPhone app (My Job App)
The first two require the individual to be naturally organised to help them maintain their progress and keep it up to date. The third option the iPhone app, it much more suited for those who aren’t naturally organised given the prompts for information which help you remember what information you should note down. But it still requires you to use the app and check it.
Another alternative is a web app/website known as Apply Mate – it is designed for the single purpose of helping you maintain a job application list and follow up through the use of email reminders. Law Graduates tend to juggle a lot of applications (and with some recruiters taking months to get back to you about an interview) it helps you keep on top of everything.
Sign up is straight-forward, just put in your email address and a couple of facts about yourself. It is a quick sign up and you can get started straightaway. No need to verify your email address.
Click add application to get started. The application can be given a name (this is what it is shown as on your list view of applications) – additional details to be entered include status (not started, in progress, submitted, accepted, rejected, completed), company and position details. The key things to enter are of course the deadlines and interview dates. You can check a box if you want an email reminder (together with setting the date you want the reminder to be sent). A very handy tool if you are prone to forgetfulness (or work off reminders). As well as reminders you can also sync with your calendar service.
Another nifty little function is it has a space for you to enter in the website, username and password – very handy for online applications and keeping track of what you use for your username and password (something else that is often forgotten) – just remember not to use the same password for everything.Or if you are not comfortable putting in your password – you could put in a prompt.
“My dashboard” function shows you your applications (and goals) in order of upcoming deadlines. “View all applications” shows you all your ongoing applications and allow you to click on a link (to the website) and displays your password without viewing the detail of the application if you don’t want to. See below which I set up by way of example.
The view goals tab probably has less of a use for most users – it allows you to create goals for you applications. Again, I made up another mock up by way of example which is what I would personally use it for (even though I’m not currently making TC applications).
My goal here is to do 10 training contract applications before X date (first line) here I’ve done 2 out of 10 in my mock up (which are listed below) – the names of course can be different. If you want an application to be added/linked to a goal you simply check the tick box when you add the application. It is really straight-forward but this is probably a less useful function for the majority of users.
Conclusion?
Great web app if you live by reminders. But for the more naturally organised it might seem like overkill and a tad restrictive. Also as it is a unitasker it might not suit everyone’s needs (where as methods like Gmail and utilising your calendar are using tools you use anyway (and consequently less of an effort)). It is very much like revision – sometimes the same method works great for some people and terrible for others – this web app will fit some people’s style perfectly.
Give it a try.
CV How to #4: Keep your CV up to date. August 16, 2010
Posted by travisthetrout in Job Applications.2 comments
I applied for a Training Contract with a Commercial Property firm last summer, fresh out of the LPC, no experience and just dreams of practicing Commercial Property which weren’t backed up with anything substantial.
Application went out and the response I got was that they weren’t considering applications for X months due to the recession etc etc. X months passed and I got a rejection letter based on my LPC covering letter and CV. What would have been a much more practical approach would have been to send an updated CV for their consideration when the end of the time period was approaching – after all, by that stage, I had worked in 2 law firms, and for one of those I was doing commercial property work.
The updated CV might not have gotten me an interview – but it would definitely have increased the odds.
So don’t just send the CV and forget about it. If there is going to be a delay between sending the CV and a decision being made and your circumstances have changed – send them an updated version. The same goes for when job hunting with an agency – keep you information continually up to date. It might seem like an extra hassle – but it will all pay off. Don’t get complacent.
CV #3: The Hybrid CV – focusing on your skills August 14, 2010
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Previously I have been talking about the more chronological CV split into Education and Work History – the more traditional CV that we use for Training Contract Applications.
Today I wish to have a closer look at the Hybrid/Skills-Based CV. A lot of people warn against this – but don’t dismiss it yet.
As HR need to know about your experience and grades as well, we can never get away with a completely Skill-Only CV (alarm bells start ringing if you haven’t noted any previous jobs or degree), but a good hybrid, brings together the best of both worlds, all the necessary information, but includes your good selling points – it focuses mainly on what skills you have to offer the employer. Perfect for work experience and paralegal job applications – for both of my Post-LPC jobs it was a Predominantly Skills Based CV that got me the interview (and the interview which got me the job). So don’t think just because you are applying for a legal job, your CV can’t have that bit of flexibility.
Personally, I took on the style of listing my key “professional skills” as bullet points at the top of the page and then expanded further down the page under categories chosen to reflect the job such as time management, communication skills, team-working or whatever the job in question was asking for. Another excellent reason to keep a note of skills in a progress journal or career log, and note what similar jobs are asking for, (how do you demonstrate these skills?).
When I was previously working on the post team of a medium sized firm, I saw a lot of speculative CVs passing through. All were chronological CV’s, all the same information, all rather boring. Be creative, sell your skills – after all, it is A-levels (tick), degree (tick), LPC (tick) odd jobs and maybe some legal work experience (tick) – the skills are what set you apart from the crowd- these can come from jobs, life experience, volunteering, or getting the crazy idea that you are capable to supervising a group of 14-16 years olds camping in Scotland… who knows?
The important thing is, don’t limit yourself.
CV how to #2: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid August 11, 2010
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Bad CVs and covering letters are always things we have a good chuckle over whether at university or at work. Make sure it isn’t you.
5 common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Spelling & Punctuation
Everyone knows this one. Everyone highlights the importance of proofreading, but the reality is a lot of mistakes still slip through. Your eyes adjust, your brain fills in the blanks or you have been reading the same piece of writing so many times you know what it coming. This is a common problem I get in work when reading leases. So get someone else to read it, work or something else completely unrelated, or leave it a day before you proofread it again.
- The Heading
Don’t use ‘Curriculum Vitae’ (yes, this is what I was taught at school as well). It is a dated convention and it is much more appropriate to use your name as the heading (with your personal information underneath – as a bonus it saves space).
- IT Skills
I think of my IT skills as being expected and forget to list them on my CV. It is important to remember to include these, particularly as most jobs require “good working knowledge of [insert Microsoft programme here]“. Previously I’ve completely overlooked development and use of case management systems as a skill until it came up as a “required skill” for my current job. It is helpful to note what skills different vacancies ask for and if they apply to you, to incorporate them in your general CV if you consider it appropriate, not just the application for that particular job.
- Tailor your CV
Make sure you tailor your CV to the job. Certainly it takes that little bit extra time, but if it stops your application going in the bin – it is worth it. How do you tailor your CV? Mirror the job application, research the firm, and the role.
- Note accomplishments not just your responsibilities
Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish the two, particularly if you do not have a targets. Accomplishments can blur with just doing the job. This is where having a career log comes in handy.Develop your career log throughout your working life.
CV how to #1: The CV in Bullet Points August 10, 2010
Posted by travisthetrout in Job Applications.5 comments
I know most training contract applications have now been submitted – but there is no time like the present to improve your CV. The training contract hunt realistically should be all year round. Of course if you have just finished your LPC, you may also be back on the general job hunt. Today we commence a mini-collection of posts… exploring the topic of the CV:
You should always spend a fair amount of time perfecting your CV and tailoring it to each vacancy. However, you can waste a lot of time debating over how to do the CV, what to include and how to set it out. So here is a quick run through of what I believe to be the key things to include. No debate.
Appearance
- A4 paper (good quality) white/off-white.
- Font: Times New Roman, Arial or Verdana. Size point 11 or 12.
- Use Bold or Underline to separate sections
- Have “White Space” so it reads easy
- Use bullet points
- Staple, don’t paper clip.
The Content
- Third person
- Check Spelling and punctuation
- Check for typos
- Avoid repetition, find some creative action words to use.
- Reverse Chronological Order
- 2 pages max
- Personal Info: Name, Address, Phone Number and Email
- Profile/summary
- The rest: education, career history/work experience, further training and other details (achievements/interests)
Saving and Sending
- address to a specific (and correct) individual, if possible
- if sending by email don’t just name the document CV.doc, but also include your name e.g. troutycv.doc
- include a “Subject” if sending by email – job title / reference
- if sending by post – preferably use a C5 Envelope.
- allow for posting (when considering deadlines!)
