I’m not writing because I’m busy writing job applications.
The pandemic has had little to no impact on my job. I’ve been able to work through it without much difference in hours worked or money earned.
However, I’ve been casually looking for a different job for several months, and not because of Covid-19. I finished my communications degree in February, which means I’ve been writing job applications instead of stories.
On Writing Job Applications
Writing job applications is exhausting work. However, the more I practice them, the better I get at them. The pandemic has caused so much disruption to the work force which means competition is incredibly fierce.
Applications have to stand out or you won’t get a look in. One of the biggest things I hear from recruiters is that you have to address the selection criteria. You can have the best resume and all the experience in the world. However, you also need to have a well drafted cover letter and responses to the selection criteria. It is the latter which makes you stand out to a recruiter.
There is also the fear of rejection, which makes it even harder. Writers experience rejection all the time. Even though it is good for building character, it is sometimes hard to stomach. I don’t enjoy writing personal essays for each application but I understand the need for them.
The point is to keep looking and gradually improve despite the difficulty. Since I’ve begun writing job applications, I’ve been able to measure the improvement. I can adjust more easily to variations in selection criteria. I also have a wealth of reference material to look back over.
Fix Your LinkedIn Profile While You’re At It
There are positive side effects of writing job applications. The first is that you can use much of the same job application content in your LinkedIn profile. Fleshing out your profile is a great way to showcase your writing ability. It can also give a recruiter an idea about your other skill-sets and personality. A good photo always helps too. Neglect it at your own peril.
What’s Next?
I’m looking forward to Christmas, the New Year, and the opportunities that will present themselves along the way. I’m sure my persistence will pay dividends in the end.