Throughout our recent searches for remote junior developers, we’ve received hundreds of job applications. On one hand, it’s great – we love knowing that so many people are interested in working for us. On the other hand, we see a lot of common mistakes made over and over.
After checking out the applications, I’ve discovered that, for some people, there is definitely room for improvement. For folks applying to work with our company or other small companies like ours, here are some tips to consider before you submit your next job application:
Before you apply
Before you invest time and emotional energy in applying for a job, carefully consider whether you are qualified for that job. At our company, we try to be very clear in our job posts about our firm requirements or minimum qualifications. So, when we get applications from folks who aren’t legally able to work from the United States (a current requirement for our company) or who have two months of professional experience when we were looking for two years, it’s disappointing but we have to immediately disqualify them.
When you’re reading a job listing, pay special attention to the requirements that are deal breakers versus those that are just preferred. Save your energy and apply only for jobs that really fit you.
Know your audience
When you’re addressing a cover letter to go along with your resume, consider your audience. For example, our entire company across the brands is only 30-ish people. We don’t have a hiring manager, and we don’t work with recruiters. The person reading your application is me- a regular person and fellow developer. Something like “Dear hiring manager” or “To whom it may concern” might be the right address for a larger company, but for us, something like “Dear Kin team” or simply “Hello” would be more appropriate and personable. No matter the company, a gendered address like “Dear sirs” is simply never appropriate.
We are all human
Overall in your writing, focus on speaking naturally. Don’t lean on formulaic cover letter phrases that you might find by frantically Googling “how to write a cover letter”. In an effort to be formal, the language in sample cover letters can become so twisted that it loses all meaning. When would you ever say out loud, “I read with great interest your posting for a Junior Developer”? If you wouldn’t say it, don’t write it. Instead, speak in your own words. Be clear and concise, and take the opportunity to show a bit of your authentic personality.
Show me
As John Hodgman says, “specificity is the soul of narrative”.
Instead of stating, “My skills and experience are a perfect fit for this position.”, describe some specific examples of how your skill set or past work experience aligns with the job description, and let me decide if you are a perfect fit from my own perspective.
Many will enter. Few will win.
Most job searches end with one person being hired and many others facing the disappointment of rejection. If you don’t get through to the next stage of the interview process, take a breath and remind yourself that you are not alone. The person on the other end of the search is vetting your experience and skill set, trying to assess whether you will fit within the team’s culture, and ensuring that the role can give you what you want too. Finding a match that will ultimately lead to a productive and fulfilled teammate is not an exact science.
The best thing you can do is apply for jobs you feel qualified for, start out on a good foot with an appropriate address, and be authentic, concise, and humble in your application.