Applying for Jobs

As the owner of the Hereford Equestrian website I am regularly emailed by students coming to the end of their college course asking if I have any jobs available. As yet, not one of the emails has captured my attention and all for the same reason and what is that?……

The most recent one was:
“Hello,
I am looking to finish my college course in April, and was wondering if you would have any jobs available in that time.
I can send you my CV.
Many thanks,
‘Her Name'”

Crikey, was it even meant for me!? Firstly, I’d prefer my name was included in some way or other, “Hi, Hello, or Dear Sally”, at least I’d know the email was meant for me although I realise it still might have been copied and pasted from one email to another, which I suspect is exactly what has happened with all the application emails I’ve received so far!

Secondly, why would I want to employ you? Quite frankly, you’ve given me no clues except that you’re probably lazy and unmotivated because you can’t even be bothered to tell me why you might like to work for me. I wonder if you even know what I do!

Many years ago, I spent some time discussing how to approach sponsors with a young man, who is no longer young, but he is a millionaire! He knew the recipe and gave me some wise advice which can also be applied to applying for a job. It’s so simple.  It just involves doing your homework and making the person or company you are approaching think they can’t do without you!  It worked for me and I secured the sponsorship I was after at the time and it works for job applicants too.

Put some effort in, sell yourself and flatter the person or company you are approaching! Find out all about the business before you approach them so that you can prove you are genuinely interested. Unless that happens, ‘it ain’t going to work!’  Don’t waste anyone’s time approaching people just for the sake of it, have a reason! What is your USP (and make sure you know what that stands for – Unique Selling Point)

An employer will ask: “Why do you want to work for ‘me’?” and then “What will I gain if you work for ‘me’?” After all, it’s the employer who’s got to pay out the money at the end of the day!