Since 2012, Camp Future has guided more than 1,000 unemployed academics through vocational training. Here, you will get unique insights into what has characterized the applications that have gotten applicants from Camp Future the coveted invitations to a job interview.
What does the employer get out of hiring you?
When an employer brings in new employees, it’s to strengthen the workplace and ultimately boost their bottom line. It's almost never out of philanthropy or to do the employee a favor – it is to benefit the company.
That is why it is essential to clearly show, from the beginning of your application, how hiring you will benefit the employer. All too often, applications focus on the applicant with phrases like “I’m motivated by…”, “I am interested in…”, or “I find your company fascinating because…”. However, if you shift your perspective and frame your application around what the employer needs, you'll increase your chances of landing more interviews.
1. Focus on the workplace (not yourself)
If your application rarely or never mentions the employer, it suggests that your focus is more on yourself than on their needs. Instead, try to view things from their perspective: What challenges do they face, both in the job posting and beyond? What is their workday like? What is the purpose of their work? What do similar organizations do that they might find inspiring?
Do your research and try to understand the day-to-day life of the workplace, and how your own role there would look. Then, explain how your skills and qualifications can specifically address their needs and add value to their tasks.
AN EXAMPLE
Before:
I have a Master’s degree in Business Communication from Aarhus University.
After:
I will use my communication skills to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy across your various channels, ensuring clear communication with your target audience and maximizing the strengths of each platform. Using tools like Google Analytics, Morningscore, and Hotjar, I will create a data-driven approach to integrate all channels with your website. In my work, I will take extra care to… (insert specific areas you intend to pay attention to)
2. Integrate yourself into the daily life of the workplace
Once your focus is on the workplace and its challenges, you will find it easier to write yourself into its day-to-day life, which could become your daily routine in turn. You can describe how you intend to tackle the tasks outlined in the job posting, which challenges you are aware of, and how you intend to handle them.
If you are applying for a role where you can expect daily interruptions from ad-hoc tasks needing solving, it is helpful to demonstrate how you plan to manage these interruptions and handle frequent task shifts.
AN EXAMPLE
Before:
I am adaptable and able to manage multiple tasks at once.
After:
I can quickly shift to different tasks as needed, allowing me to execute spontaneous ideas and capitalize on valuable moments with tight deadlines, while also managing long-term, strategic work. I use the project management tool Monday.com to keep track of ideas, development processes, and follow-ups. This helps with clear prioritization of both my time and others’, so we don’t miss crucial opportunities.
3. Translate skills to qualifications
Employers find it more interesting to see how you will apply your skills systematically and with attention to quality in their specific context, rather than just hear that you are organized and structured. This approach should apply to all of your competencies.
The phrase “I am analytically minded, work in a structured manner, and excel in project management” is commonly used at the beginning of many job applications. However, it is a vague statement that says nothing about how you can benefit the employer. Therefore, you should supplement it by detailing the specific advantages the employer will gain by having someone (you) with these skills in the role.
In many jobs, it could for example be beneficial to show how you will measure and document your progress. It is crucial to understand when you are succeeding and when you are not doing so well, so you can adjust your strategy if needed. It is also a good idea to elaborate on how you arrive at your strategy and specific solutions. How do you construct a strategy and which KPIs do you intend to measure?
AN EXAMPLE
Before:
I am organized and well-structured.
After:
I maintain a structured workflow by updating the customer database after each client interaction. I systematically follow up with interested leads to ensure they feel well-managed throughout the entire process—before, during, and after a potential purchase. I thereby make sure that every potential client receives a personalized customer experience to suits their individual needs, and that no potential client falls through the cracks.
