By Lilian Wamaitha

Searching for a job is a tedious process. It becomes worse when a position you applied for has been filled already. It requires you to have a strategy and to know the dos and donts when searching from a job. You also need to have a clear grasp of the documents employers need to see as part of your applications. At times and employer may require more than your CV and cover letter.

It doesn’t hurt to send in extract documents like your letter of recommendation or certificates unless the employer specifically states that they need a CV and cover letter only.

Supporting Documents You Need For Your Job Search

Employers require supporting documents to better evaluate a candidate. For most employers a CV and cover letter will be enough but some require more information to get a holistic picture of the candidate. Some may do it to act as confirmation of the information you have given on the CV. For instance requesting transcripts is a way for an employer to confirm whether or not you have graduated.

Here are documents that every job seeker need for their job search in Ethiopia.

1. A well written CV

A CV serves as the first contact between you and the employer. It should be a marketing tool for your skills and expertise. In the Kenyan job market, a CV should be tailored to fit the job you are applying for. Read here on Top Tips On How To Tailor Your CV For A Job.

Using a generic CV for every job application may be the reason you are not getting responses from the many jobs you have applied for. There are those key skills that the employer is looking for in that specific position. Have you highlighted that?

2. A cover letter

A cover letter is the best way of summarizing your CV in a few paragraphs. Most employers are able to determine whether you are the best fit for the position just by looking at your cover letter. So ensure that you sell your skills to the best of your ability making them want to meet you in person.

3. Letters of Recommendations

A letter of recommendation is another powerful document you can use to get your foot on the door. This is a letter written by your former employer (s) detailing your conduct and your work during the period you worked there. For entry level job seekers and recent graduates, you can get a recommendation letter from your university or college showing that you were a student and now looking for employment. Attaching a recommendation letter is not only wise but a good job search strategy, according to Ms. Muthoni Ndegwa, a Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services Limited, a Recruitment firm that offers CV Writing, Job Placement & Career Advice.

4. Educational Transcripts

As mentioned earlier these supporting documents serve as evident that you are either a student or you have already graduated. You should attach them with your job application especially in the cases where the employer has specified on what kind of candidate they need- a recent graduate or ongoing student.

5. Portfolio

This is a collection of your work and documents that serves as evidence of your skills and expertise. For instance if you are a graphic designer, you may want to attach a portfolio of the work you have done. This gives you a competitive edge over someone who did not bother attaching such documents.

6. Writing Samples

Depending on the job you are applying for, you might want to attach a few writing samples for example essays or articles you have done. Employers nowadays seem to take a keen interest in individuals who possess writing skills. For example if you are a communications professional, writing samples can be your selling point for your skills.

7. Other Certifications

This refers to certificates you may have gathered in the course of time. For instance you may have a certificate from leadership training you attended a few months ago; this will be good for you. In short attach certificates that are relevant to the job application.

While attaching other supporting documents is a good idea to get you the competitive advantage you need. You need to be careful though. Do not send in other documents if the employer specifically says they only need your cover letter. This will just hinder you from getting the job even if you are qualified because it shows that you do not follow instructions.

Do not also send in documents that may be used against you for instance your bank details.

By Lilian Wamaitha

Change is inevitable. And the same case applies when it comes to writing compelling curriculum vitae. Have you had the feeling that you will get that shot listing only to be rejected by hiring managers? Well, as the corporate world changes so do the ways of writing a CV. You can’t keep using the same old CV year in year out. There is a need to change and keep up with the curriculum vitae trends as they come.

That said, in order to avoid your CV ending up in a trash bin somewhere, there are certain trends as a job seeker you must be aware of and implement to increase your chances of getting jobs.

Curriculum Vitae Trends Job Seeker Must Pay Attention To

1. Old is no longer gold

Any professional CV writer will tell you that, the ages of putting together your names, age, telephone number email address followed by a chronological order of education, work experience, conferences and seminars attended followed by a list of referee is long gone. That was a CV for another age, not for today’s job market.

A resume is supposed to sell you to a potential employer. The chances of getting shortlisted with such a CV are very slim in today’s job maker where everybody is competing for the same limited vacancies.

2. Renewing the identity

CV writing has changed over the past years. It is no longer just a document you present to a recruiter. Instead it is the number one marketing tool. The Kenyan job market today requires one to stand out from the completion. And this said, the focus now is on your work history mostly so that a hiring manger can be able to determine if you are the best fit for a certain position.

3. What comes first matters a lot

While the traditional name and address still remains at the top of a CV, what follows next is what matters. It is no longer a question of education followed by work experience. What follows instead is a profile summary of who you are. It’s like summarizing your entire CV in one paragraph.

With a profile summary, you explain your experience and what makes you the best candidate for the position. With this the recruiter is already sold and will want to go through your entire CV.

An example of a profile summary is

“I am a Biomechanical and Processing Engineering graduate with attachment experience under machines maintenance. I am well versed in the principles and practices involved in engineering tasks including; project management, maintenance and servicing, food processing, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and computer aided drawing and design. With my training in Biomechanical and processing engineering and my attachment experience, I am looking for entry level positions as a Maintenance Supervisor/Engineer or a Processing Engineer, a post that will expose me to the industry where I can gain more skills and experience needed.”

4. Elaborating your work experience

The current curriculum vitae trends demand that a job seeker elaborates on their work experience. Instead of just writing worked as a clerk between this period and that, go ahead to explain the duties and roles you were tasked with as a clerk. This is what the employer is looking for. With a detailed work experience he/she will be able to determine whether you fit the role as described in the job description.

Curriculum vitae trends If your are a 21st century job seeker, you must keep up with the said curriculum vitae trends to increase your chances of getting a job. This is what will set you up from other job seekers.