Recently at Nidzumi we’ve been on the look out for new staff and thanks to our Business Manager we’ve had a truly overwhelming response. However, some of them, and I don’t want to sound unappreciative of people’s efforts, some of them, have been way off the mark. I know it’s a voluntary job but it’s still something that you supposedly do, so at the very least be professional about it. So with that said here are a few pointers when applying for a job online…

1. Send examples of your work – Starting off with the most important thing of all, send examples. If people can’t read your writing then people can’t even think about you. If people aren’t thinking about you the chances are they’re already considering someone else who did send an example along.
2. Don’t use clichés – Now we’re all susceptible to the odd cliché every now and then but if you’re applying for a writing job don’t send an example that looks like a template.
3. Tell me your name – I’m surprised this has even happened but I’ve received a couple of applicants who haven’t even put their name on the application. Combine this with no examples and you’re not even going to get a follow up email.
4. No boilerplate emails – Don’t send a standard email with names switched out. I’ve had numerous emails that flatter Nidzumi’s news coverage. We don’t run news coverage as far as I know.

I don’t mean to get up all on my high horse but no matter what the job, all those things people tell you about CV writing are true. If you don’t get the basics right you won’t be considered. I was surprised with how ruthless I could be with applicants but first impressions are everything.