1. Insights Revealed: The Positive Impact of Your Application on Recruiters
In a survey conducted by job portal Stepstone, it was found that recruiters place significant emphasis on hard skills listed in job descriptions when reviewing applications. Career expert Lena Ludwig, a professional at Stepstone, advises job seekers to strategically highlight these hard skills to increase their chances of success.
Ludwig suggests using tools like AI, such as ChatGPT, or manually saving job postings to tailor applications to the specific hard skills that recruiters are seeking. Matching your hard skills to those mentioned in the job description demonstrates that you have the technical qualifications needed for the role.
Customizing application materials, such as resumes and LinkedIn profiles, is also crucial rather than submitting generic documents. Avoiding a focus on soft skills or unrelated experience is advisable, as recruiters prioritize clear evidence of job-relevant competencies.
Ludwig stresses the importance of a well-organized application, where skills and experiences are clearly visible, over special formatting or an elegant design. Describing concrete achievements and verifiable experiences is more convincing than a prominent name on the CV.
Contrary to popular belief, a cover letter is only important if it's explicitly requested. Many applicants submit unnecessary documents like school and work references, language certificates, and recommendation letters, but these are often not decisive. What counts most are the skills that prove your abilities.
The survey by Stepstone among nearly 700 recruiters suggests that only about a third consider the motivational cover letter decisive. What's more important is correct spelling in a job application and communication, as well as fitting with the job. A good structure is crucial in making a better impression on recruiters.
Ludwig advises job application videos rarely play a significant role in most positions, and should only be used where they are explicitly expected or fit the industry. A CV is usually a must, but relevant references can be helpful, although they're not usually decisive.
Interestingly, the survey found that only 21% of recruiters consider a renowned employer as decisive. For the majority of recruiters, special formatting or an elegant design is not the deciding factor. A well-organized application where skills and experiences are clearly visible often makes a better impression than a "graphically demanding" one.
In summary, Lena Ludwig advises job seekers to carefully analyze job descriptions and strategically highlight the hard skills that recruiters expect, using tools like ChatGPT as aides if needed. A well-organized application, clear communication, and a focus on hard skills are key to a successful job application.
In line with Lena Ludwig's advice, it would be beneficial for job seekers to utilize tools like AI, such as ChatGPT, to strategically highlight hard skills mentioned in job postings, as this can demonstrate technical qualifications relevant to the role. Given that recruiters prioritize clear evidence of job-relevant competencies, tailoring application materials like resumes and LinkedIn profiles to specific hard skills is crucial for success.
