Reasons Why You Probably Don't Get As Much Job Invites As You Should

Overtime, I have come to see many people complain that they send applications for jobs and don't get invites. Although this could be as a result of natural causes, as honestly there are TOO MANY PEOPLE applying for TOO FEW JOBS, so sometimes not everyone would get called, especially wen the applicants gets to know abt the vacancy a little late after it has been publicized, e don finish be that..)

But with this natural causes already being a hindering factor, it pains me when I see a lot of graduates shooting themselves in the foot and making themselves "unacceptable" for the job the moment click "send" for the application. Some of the unpardonable errors include:

1) Sending out cv's without a cover letter/Application letter or subject of mail:

This is something that I have seen repeated several times. Its as though the advent of this computer age has brought a draw back as applications submitted hard copy those days came with handwritten letters. But this days, you would be suprised to see a so called "desperate" job seeker sending an application sometimes without a subject and all you see could be "PLS FIND ATTACHED FILE" or just even an attachment.. LIKE SERIOUSLY!!!?? When there are several applications coming in for the same role with cover letters that would make d recruiter want to av d individual sitting in fromt of him to discuss further?

I recently had to put out a job Ad on nairaland here and other platforms for a job role. Got series of applications (and am still getting), they were too much and I had to discard several because of these reasons..

Just a 2-paragraph body to your mail introducing yourself and stating the skill set you poSsess that matches the job role would make the person reading feel you are serious and want to open that your precious "Attachment" for more info..


2) Tailor your cv to the Job requirement:
This applies mostly to entry level/0-2yrs job applicants. Most times we seem to have rigid cv's wch we just "FORWARD" for every job applications. Though u can't twerk your work experience, but most job ad's usually have "Requirements/skills" that comes with them and you can tailor your skill set section of your cv to meet these requirement. Each firm or job opening has its unique requirements and you can tailor your cv to meet it and also lay emphasis of your suitability in your application.

3)Over- reliance on Qualification: simply put, its not what you have on your pali, but what you can offer.. Several ppl have the BSc and even MSc u are carrying. What sets u out of the pack?? What skill set do you possess. You say u av computing skills, but u fail to tell an emplyer what you can do with the various Basic microsoft app.. It doesn't work that way..

Several other reasons like unwilligness to change from comfort zone, unpreparedness and poor self development can play a part..


Note that an Invite is not a guarantee of a job, but is a foot in the door and gives u a 50-50 chance regardless of competition.. NO EMPLOYER WOULD REJECT VALUE WHEN HE SEES IT..


I hope and pray we all find a job that would be rewarding to us or CREATE ONE FOR OURSELVES.

Cheers

mods, pls take the post to FP so that all job applicants can learn.

Mods.. Over to you

Lalasticlala....

Very informative, thanx so much

Also having a CV that looks like everybody else's - try personalize your CV small to make it stand out.

And don't use generic statements!

And print on quality paper!

K

Op, are you a learner? Nothing new or fresh about this your article mehn. Kudos for the reminder though.

How many likes for this kids dab?

Kudos OP. Just tell them.


YOU CAN CHECK SAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE CV & COVER LETTER HERE:

www..com/cv-samples/

www..com/complete-step-step-guide-writing-successful-cv/

www..com/testimonials/

Ma book space

When they keep thinking it is hard work.....

Tired of repeating the same thing all over again...

Gbam. You said it all

I smell Front page

Good one

Maybe, Maybe not..

There should be other cogent reasons not listed.

Are you saying the cover letter should be typed directly in the compose box.... Many are typed on ms word and placed as attachment.??

Ok

my brother no be my cv go do the job, if wan give me job give me make I do and stop giving me rules I can't live with it.


my cousin got a job in the US, not with his qualifications but with what's upstairs, mind u he graduated from the University in Nigeria with 2 pointer

when will Nigerian stop this segregation

Interesting...

sometimes u follow all d rules yet no invite. i am tired

@Op hoe many applicants dat have strictly followed your rules that you have eventually employed.. Even d most qualified one is the end delayed till God knows when. It's not your fault nau, it's the fault of the economic situation in the country dat is making you give rules and regulations to even get an invite. Tell me you didn't get an insider influence in where u are working presently. I simply expect you to say d reason why u are not getting invites is you don't have someone inside to push up follow ups for you... That's more acceptable.

Ansell:
sometimes u follow all d rules yet no invite. i am tired

No mind dem jare... Let dem keep deceiving demselves, some recruiters will advertise job positions online with a dedicated email address, but at the end its a member of a church or close relative dat will be considered and at the end just playing with the CVs of those sent to them, coming here to post rules and regulations for hia. What nonsense!!! So they wanna tell me that they discarded a suitably qualified applicant just because he didn't include a job position as the title of d mail. They think it's every applicants dat are jobless and have time to compose one cover letter... Get my CV, if you are interested in my services give me a call and let's discuss the way forward and trash those cover letters that filled up your email. Cover letter that is simply copy and paste in most cases.

Well said OP, let me add one more.

4.Applying where everyone is applying- Estimates have it that an average of 80 persons apply for every job vacancy. I can assure you its way more in Nigeria judging from what we saw during the immigration and police force recruitment. The best way to get a job is to get the attention of the decision maker. I don't mean standing out in a crowd, I mean not being a part of the crowd at all. You can do this via a strong network (referral), someone who can connect you to the decision maker. A strong network can put your application right in the hands of the decision maker. Another way is to create a powerful personal brand.

I don't agree with your number 1. It is always advisable to follow instructions. If you see a job advert that comes with "send application and cv" then you must obey. But if it says only "send your cv" then you must send only your cv with a mail stating that your cv has been attached.
Employers always look out for that. Jobseekers don't need to be too forward. If they didn't say you should send application letter or cover letter, don't send.

Hayjaycity:



No mind dem jare... Let dem keep deceiving demselves, some recruiters will advertise job positions online with a dedicated email address, but at the end its a member of a church or close relative dat will be considered and at the end just playing with the CVs of those sent to them, coming here to post rules and regulations for hia. What nonsense!!! So they wanna tell me that they discarded a suitably qualified applicant just because he didn't include a job position as the title of d mail. They think it's every applicants dat are jobless and have time to compose one cover letter... Get my CV, if you are interested in my services give me a call and let's discuss the way forward and trash those cover letters that filled up your email. Cover letter that is simply copy and paste in most cases.

i dey feel you die

prinsam30:
my brother no be my cv go do the job, if wan give me job give me make I do and stop giving me rules I can't live with it.


my cousin got a job in the US, not with his qualifications but with what's upstairs, mind u he graduated from the University in Nigeria with 2 pointer

when will Nigerian stop this segregation

where are the rules?? All these ITK. So, your brother just got to the US got a job without a CV. Every employer whether through a referral or application on job sites would require a CV. That's what introduces you before you are met in person. Where is the segregation. You want a JOB, work on yourself.

shekonz:
Reasons Why You Probably Don't Get As Much Job Invites As You Should

Overtime, I have come to see many people complain that they send applications for jobs and don't get invites. Although this could be as a result of natural causes, as honestly there are TOO MANY PEOPLE applying for TOO FEW JOBS, so sometimes not everyone would get called, especially wen the applicants gets to know abt the vacancy a little late after it has been publicized, e don finish be that..)

But with this natural causes already being a hindering factor, it pains me when I see a lot of graduates shooting themselves in the foot and making themselves "unacceptable" for the job the moment click "send" for the application. Some of the unpardonable errors include:

1) Sending out cv's without a cover letter/Application letter or subject of mail:

This is something that I have seen repeated several times. Its as though the advent of this computer age has brought a draw back as applications submitted hard copy those days came with handwritten letters. But this days, you would be suprised to see a so called "desperate" job seeker sending an application sometimes without a subject and all you see could be "PLS FIND ATTACHED FILE" or just even an attachment.. LIKE SERIOUSLY!!!?? When there are several applications coming in for the same role with cover letters that would make d recruiter want to av d individual sitting in fromt of him to discuss further?

I recently had to put out a job Ad on nairaland here and other platforms for a job role. Got series of applications (and am still getting), they were too much and I had to discard several because of these reasons..

Just a 2-paragraph body to your mail introducing yourself and stating the skill set you poSsess that matches the job role would make the person reading feel you are serious and want to open that your precious "Attachment" for more info..


2) Tailor your cv to the Job requirement:
This applies mostly to entry level/0-2yrs job applicants. Most times we seem to have rigid cv's wch we just "FORWARD" for every job applications. Though u can't twerk your work experience, but most job ad's usually have "Requirements/skills" that comes with them and you can tailor your skill set section of your cv to meet these requirement. Each firm or job opening has its unique requirements and you can tailor your cv to meet it and also lay emphasis of your suitability in your application.

3)Over- reliance on Qualification: simply put, its not what you have on your pali, but what you can offer.. Several ppl have the BSc and even MSc u are carrying. What sets u out of the pack?? What skill set do you possess. You say u av computing skills, but u fail to tell an emplyer what you can do with the various Basic microsoft app.. It doesn't work that way..

Several other reasons like unwilligness to change from comfort zone, unpreparedness and poor self development can play a part..


Note that an Invite is not a guarantee of a job, but is a foot in the door and gives u a 50-50 chance regardless of competition.. NO EMPLOYER WOULD REJECT VALUE WHEN HE SEES IT..


I hope and pray we all find a job that would be rewarding to us or CREATE ONE FOR OURSELVES.

Cheers

Nice writeup but all said above is not new to me oo, I use as many styles I know and read here to apply but no invite.... its tireing jare if there is a word like that

The same things i always tell job seekers

chillingbabe:
I don't agree with your number 1. It is always advisable to follow instructions. If you see a job advert that comes with "send application and cv" then you must obey. But if it says only "send your cv" then you must send only your cv with a mail stating that your cv has been attached.
Employers always look out for that. Jobseekers don't need to be too forward. If they didn't say you should send application letter or cover letter, don't send.

Attaching an application letter is no way being forward. It may be discarded, but it's it's way of selling other skills your CV may not contain. Many employers will not tell you to attach it but it is what many check out for.

majekdom2:
where are the rules?? All these ITK. So, your brother just got to the US got a job without a CV. Every employer whether through a referral or application on job sites would require a CV. That's what introduces you before you are met in person. Where is the segregation. You want a JOB, work on yourself.

I'm not disputing the fact that cv should not be looked at but what I'm saying is that it shouldn't be a criteria for one to get a job, you should also no that the economy Crisis we're in in this present era contributed immensely to this new rule of seeking for a job because in my days it wasn't like that.

thank you