Job Qualifications: Competence, experience, qualification – these three aspects make up the content of every application. If they match the advertised position and if the applicant is still human and personally compatible with the team and company, the chances of working together are generally good. But the qualifications in particular can have a noticeable impact on the success and chances of an application, since some candidates rely on quantity instead of quality. Here it depends on the targeted selection, which should not only have to do with technical criteria.
Contents
CV Format
Each curriculum vitae is structured according to a certain basic pattern and initially contains information such as the description of what you have done and a description of the specific content. It is important that both the professional qualifications (hard skills) and your social skills , your soft skills, are derived from it:
Qualification: What is your academic background and what qualification did you have?
Vocational training: Have you completed an apprenticeship and, if so, with what focus?
Studies: When you have completed your studies, what were your main focus there?
Additional qualifications: What qualifications have you acquired through hobbies or further training, for example?
Experience abroad: Did you do a semester abroad or work abroad?
Internships: What practical knowledge have you gained and in which industry?
Language skills: Do you have foreign language skills and to what extent?
Depending on the scope of your activities and also your age, you should create two versions : A curriculum vitae that really contains everything you have ever done, what knowledge you have ever acquired and what distinguishes you personally.
It also makes sense to have a strengths and weaknesses analysis carried out beforehand. You should always keep this CV up-to-date and supplement it if necessary.
The second résumé is the one that is important for your current application . For example, if your enthusiasm for dance sport is in addition to long-term participation in chess tournaments in the first résumé, dance sport can be canceled if you are currently applying for a position as controller. Why? Because it primarily requires analytical skills and less motor skills.
On the other hand, if you apply to be a managing director at ADTV (General German Dance Teachers’ Association), it would of course be grossly negligent to disregard your dance sport activities . But membership in the rabbit breeders’ association probably doesn’t matter.
Throw out everything superfluous from your application resume.
Job qualifications examples for resume & cover letter
Extra tip iconHere are some formulation aids for the professional qualifications in the cover letter:
My current job as a lawyer in the legal department of an insurance company includes drawing up and negotiating contracts, as well as advising the specialist departments on claims settlement and contract law.
In addition to that, I oversee the development of new insurance products from the legal side. I am absolutely familiar with dealing with numbers because I first completed a banking apprenticeship before my university career.
I have been working for the Call Center X & Y in the area of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for four years. As a call center agent, I work in the inbound area for a direct bank.
My actions, which are characterized by the idea of service, include all customer inquiries about account management, payment transactions, securities orders and advice on personal loans.
I was able to shorten my training as a chemist to 2.5 years due to very good performance. I have already acquired two essential characteristics of this training, care and accuracy in shooting sports. This benefited me in my specialty, the union of fabrics.
My tasks in sales included the acquisition of advertising customers. This included advice and support for new and existing customers as well as the associated offer preparation and product presentation.
I was also involved in the relaunch of our advertising magazine and the creation of a new website. I also actively designed the introduction of our application program as well as further development and user training.
Skills and qualifications for a job application: Just no watering can principle!
Especially young professionals and graduates often make the mistake of putting all available qualifications in the application. Multiple pages of certificates and supporting documents are just as much a consequence of this tactic as extensive cover letters and packed resumes.
The underlying idea: If all qualifications are presented in the application, the HR manager can look for the relevant ones. In addition, applicants avoid the risk of forgetting an important qualification. The good old watering can principle at least ensures that everything is in there.
That’s right, but that’s not the point and purpose of an application . Very few HR specialists will pick the relevant ones from a mountain of qualifications. A mass of qualifications and evidence rather discourages and in case of doubt ensures that your application makes a negative impression. So remember:
The selection of the relevant qualifications is your job as an applicant, not that of the HR specialist. Under no circumstances should you neglect or delegate them.
Sharpen your profile
Admittedly, the word “delegate” sounds a little strange in this context. But as an applicant, you do nothing else if you fill your application with qualifications. You delegate the selection of suitable qualifications to the HR specialist. Not the best idea.
As a result, you should think about the right qualifications when researching and building your application . Some applicants find it difficult to choose – especially the omission of qualifications. A soft voice in the back of the head keeps asking the same question: What if I forget a relevant qualification? The answer is simple, but not so easy to implement:
With a clear and tailored profile, all relevant qualifications are recognizable.
However, a clear profile is not only created by studying the job advertisement. The criteria mentioned there certainly form the basis of your profile, but much more is required to really match it to a company. So should you as an applicant …
- Understand the style and philosophy of the company.
- Get an impression of the core values of the employer.
- Clearly identify your unique points of selling.
- Record what the company places unspoken value on.
- Understand the reasons for the requirements of the job advertisement.
- Record which qualifications are relevant for the specific tasks.
The necessary understanding requires a corresponding effort in the preparation and research for your application. Because in addition to the relevant qualifications, aspects also play a role that can be anchored in the philosophy and history of the company.
At first glance, part-time seminars on certain topics may not play a role for the specific position. However, if it becomes clear that the target company sees active and independent further training as evidence of commitment and initiative, you should mention at least some of the independently acquired qualifications.
You should also be aware of one thing: you have to add real added value to the company , so your perspective should be: what can I offer the company?
It is important to take three things into account when formulating your cover letter :
- Include the company’s success – name specific qualifications that will help to position the company well in the market.
- Avoid the subjunctive in your formulations : I would, I could, I would – no! Instead: With my many years of experience in the area of advertising acquisition, I will significantly increase your circulation.
- Pay attention to an appropriate language . Formulations with substantiations such as: By winning new customers … sounds bureaucratic – but can be appropriate depending on the job profile, for example in the area of public service. Otherwise, avoid this style better and write: I was able to win new customers by showing constant commitment and providing advice.
Qualifications in the application: What distinguishes you?
This aspect makes it clear that your qualifications represent far more than just proof of performance and experience . They can be evidence and expression of your personal skills and characteristics. These are of enormous interest for many companies.
When selecting the relevant qualifications, you should therefore not only pay attention to technical, but also to personal aspects . Do you have qualifications that are important to you personally, but don’t seem to fit the job? Then check why these qualifications mean so much to you – and explain the reasons.
As a rule, these reasons are closely linked to your personality or individual strengths and values. Presenting them can round off your profile – and thus make your application attractive. If you are applying for a management position, for example, it is not to be neglected to mention that you have a coaching license in your favorite sport, football, and that you have also been supporting the local club for three years through your board work.
They not only show specific professional qualifications in football, but also your knowledge of the organization and structure of the club. You are also interested in a sport in which pronounced team players are required.
This means that you enjoy working with other people and that your actions are also characterized by a sense of responsibility . Perhaps you have held the post of treasurer as part of your association, so that you can easily prove your experience in dealing with numbers.
If you formulate the cover letter, it is not only the hard skills that are important when selecting the relevant qualifications, but also that they fit the job exactly. Of course, self-reflection plays a major role here.
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