Job application vs CV: how do they complement each other in the job search?
Job application vs. CV
When you apply for a job, you are often expected to submit both a job application and a curriculum vitae (CV). These two documents are crucial to your job search, but they serve different purposes. In this article, I will look at the differences between a job application and a CV and give practical tips on how to make the most of them in your job search.
Job application – presenting your personal side
A job application is a letter, often written in a free-form format, addressed directly to the recruiter or hiring manager. It is your opportunity to express your personality, your motivation and the reasons why you are applying for the job in question. The primary purpose of a job application is to attract the employer’s interest, make you stand out from other applicants and lead them to take a closer look at your CV.
Although a job application is a formal document, it has more leeway than a CV, which is a concise list of achievements. The job application is your chance to tell your story – why you would be a good choice for the job, how your experience and skills match the job requirements, and what value you can bring to the company.
What should be included in a job application?
The job application should be well structured and carefully thought out. It is often a good idea to follow the following structure:
- Introduction – Introduce yourself and explain why you are applying for the job. What motivates you? How did you hear about the job? This section is important as it gives a first impression of you.
- Your skills and experience – In this section, you can focus on detailing your experience and skills that are directly relevant to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a marketing manager position, highlight successful marketing campaigns and explain how these experiences will help you succeed in your new role.
- Showing your motivation – One of the most important things in a job application is to show your motivation. Why do you want this particular job and why do you want to work for this company? For example, you could explain how the company’s values align with yours or how you see yourself growing with the organisation.
- End – End your application in a polite and positive manner. For example, you can say you are ready for an interview and discuss further opportunities. Thank the employer for taking the time to read your application.
The job application does not have to be long (one page is enough), but it should be well written and carefully considered. Avoid generalities and focus on how you stand out from other applicants.
CV – a fact-based picture of your career
A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a document that accurately and concisely presents your education, work experience and achievements. It is often more formal and straightforward than a job application. The CV is a general overview of your skills and is designed to give the recruiter a quick idea of your experience and how your qualifications match the job requirements.
The structure of the CV is often very similar between different applications, but can be tailored to the job you are applying for. The CV should be clear and is often divided into the following sections:
- Personal and contact information – This section contains your name, address, email address and phone number. In some cases, your LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio page may also be added here if relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Professional profile or summary – This is a short, two-sentence summary of who you are professionally. This section is an opportunity to make a good first impression and tell the recruiter about your core competencies right from the start.
- Work experience – This is one of the most important parts of your CV. List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first. List your job title and responsibilities in each role. Be specific and try to present concrete results. For example, instead of just writing “I was responsible for customer service”, you could say “I improved customer satisfaction by 10% over the year”.
- Education – This section covers your education history. List the institutions you have graduated from and the training programmes you have been involved in. Also mention any additional courses, certificates or other qualifications that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Skills – This section gives you the opportunity to showcase your specific skills, such as language skills, programming skills or other technical skills you need for your job. Try to list skills that are directly useful for the job you are applying for.
- Achievements and projects – If you have been involved in significant projects or achieved something special during your career, this is the place to mention them. For example, if you’ve been recognised for your work or managed a project that exceeded expectations, use this section to tell us about it.
Job application and CV: complementing each other
It is important to understand that the job application and the CV are not overlapping, but complement each other. Whereas a CV is a fact-based presentation of your career, a job application is an opportunity to open up those facts and link them to the employer’s needs.
How do these documents support each other?
- First impressions – The job application is often the first document a recruiter reads. Its purpose is to entice the recruiter to take a closer look at your CV. A well-written job application can make you stand out from the start.
- Showing your personality – The CV focuses more on listing your experience, but the job application allows you to show your personality and motivation. A job application gives you the opportunity to tell your story and show why you would be a good choice.
- Opening up your experience – While you can present your work history in your CV, in your job application you can open up these experiences in more detail and explain how they relate to the job you are applying for. For example, if your CV mentions that you were a project manager, your application should explain in more detail what responsibilities you had and what results you achieved.
- Motivation and passion – A CV is not usually the place to show your motivation, but a job application is the place to show why you are particularly passionate about the job you are applying for. This is important because employers value candidates who show genuine interest and commitment.
Finally: don’t leave either one out
It is important to invest in both the job application and the CV, as they work together to form a complete picture of you as a jobseeker. The CV presents your work experience and achievements in a clear and concise way, while the job application gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your personality, motivation and how your skills match the requirements of the job you are applying for.
Without a CV, employers have no idea of your professional background, and without a job application, your motivation and connection to the company’s needs may be obscured. These documents are meant to complement each other – together they give the employer a clear and convincing picture of why you are the perfect choice for the role. That’s why careful and accurate preparation of both documents is key to standing out from the crowd and getting one step closer to your dream job.