This is arguably the most important tip. Don’t send the same generic CV and cover letter to every job. Instead, carefully read the job description and customise your application to match. Highlight skills, experiences, and accomplishments that are directly relevant to the role you’re applying for. Use keywords from the job description to show you’ve paid attention and are the right fit.

A short paragraph at the top of your CV that brings you, yours skills and behaviours to life.

Keep your CV brief and to the relevant points for the role. Recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning each application. A CV should typically be one page long for most roles. Use clear, easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Calibri, and use bullet points to break up large blocks of text.

Whilst you quite rightly can be proud of all the learning and development, your academic and practical skills, you don’t need to list them all. List what is relevant to the role you are applying for, for example, if you have been in work for 10 years employers don’t need to see your GCSE results listed out

It’s not enough to list your job responsibilities. Instead, quantify your accomplishments wherever possible. For example, instead of writing “Managed social media accounts,” write “Grew social media engagement by 30% in six months by implementing a new content strategy.” Using numbers and specific examples demonstrates the value you brought to your previous roles and proves your impact.

Including a cover letter is your chance to tell your story and show your personality. It should not be a rehash of your CV – it gives you a chance to bring it to life. Start with a strong opening that grabs attention and clearly states why you are the right candidate. In the body, connect your past experiences directly to the requirements of the new role, explaining why your skills and passion make you the ideal person for the job. Conclude by reiterating your enthusiasm for the position and company.

The cover letter is where you make your application ‘relevant’ to the organisation you are applying for; why you want to work for this organisation, perhaps reference their values, their history or brand. This demonstrates that you have done your research and have a good cultural match with the organisation.

Throughout both documents, you need to answer a fundamental question for the employer: “What’s in it for us?” Your application should clearly and confidently communicate the value you can bring to their team. This isn’t just about what you’ve done; it’s about what you can do for them. Focus on solving their problems and contributing to their goals, showing them you are a valuable asset they can’t afford to miss out on.

Before your interview, thoroughly research the organisation. Go beyond just knowing what they do. Explore their recent projects, press releases, and social media to understand their current challenges and successes. Look at their “About Us” page to learn their mission and values. Knowing this information will allow you to tailor your answers and show genuine interest.

An interview is not just a Q&A session; it’s a conversation. Have some questions about the organisation and/or role prepared in advance to ask. Instead of focusing on compensation and benefits – which are typically discussed later – ask questions about the role, the team, or the company’s future. For example, “What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face in the first 90 days?” or “What are the team’s long-term strategic goals?” This shows you’re forward-thinking and genuinely engaged.

Review the job specification in detail – you should be able to work out some of the questions they’ll ask from it, for example, if the job spec requires good teamwork – be prepared to be asked about where you have worked well as part of a team. Prepare a couple of answers that bring this to life and practice saying it out loud. You can also use the STAR method to structure your answers – what was the Situation; what was the Task, what was your Action; what was the Result.

You have got to the interview so the organisation are interested to know more about you and whether your skills and aspirations match what they are looking for. While it’s important to be professional, don’t try to be someone you’re not. Trying to fit a mold can come across as disingenuous and may lead to a poor culture fit in the long run. Be positive and confident about what you can bring, let your passion for the role and company shine through and be honest about what you have to learn.

Once you understand the company’s values, reflect on whether they align with your own. Ask yourself if you can see yourself thriving in their culture. This self-assessment is crucial. An interview is a two-way street – you’re also interviewing them to see if it’s the right fit for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that help you understand their work environment and team dynamics.

Work Club runs on Tuesdays from our Advice Centre, where you can get specialist help for anything to do with employment, whatever stage you’re at.

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