Applications and CV advice
Danish businesses are thriving, and this means a growing need for qualified workers. So there is absolutely no reason to stay in a job you aren’t satisfied with. It is better to find a new one.
January is traditionally a very active month in the job market. And we often see a much larger number of job advertisements in the first month of the year. That makes it a great time to make the leap, if your New Year’s resolution is to find a new job.
7 tips for a good application:
- Keep the length of your application to one page, preferably with space between the paragraphs.
- Always write what appeals to you about the position and workplace in question.
- Clearly illustrate the match between your skills and what the company is looking for.
- Write a forward-looking application – the recipient should be able to see you in the position.
- Write in the present tense and use active rather than passive voice.
- Avoid long, complex sentences and filler words.
- Break your application up into paragraphs to make it lighter. Give the paragraphs subheadings to make it easier for the reader to skim the text.
See an example of an application here.
Call before applying
In Denmark, it is a good idea to call and ask relevant and well-considered questions before sending an application.
Ask about things that have not already been covered in the job advertisement. For example:
- What will I be evaluated on during the first six months?
- Which of the responsibilities listed should I expect to spend the most time on?
- Which of the skills you require are most important?
- Are there other responsibilities or challenges besides those listed in the job advertisement?
When you call, be prepared to be asked about your background and why you’re interested in the position.
Use the company’s responses to create a targeted application and CV. Concentrate on the responsibilities and challenges that are most important and show how you would handle them.
If you need good advice on your CV.
Find an example of a CV here.
Job hunting is a learning process
Writing applications and going to job interviews can be enlightening and can offer an excellent opportunity to reflect on what matters to you in your career.
You might also consider whether it is time to change sectors. For instance, transitioning from consulting to green energy, from central administration to the food industry, or from the finance sector to the energy sector (which is currently experiencing strong growth).
It can be healthy to re-examine your career every once in a while. And with today’s economy regaining momentum, now is the perfect time to do it.
If you do decide to start looking for a new job, you are always welcome to contact us for advice.
Or you can participate in our workshop about job search in Denmark
Happy hunting.