Crafting a killer application for your first job

“Don’t just stick to words”: As graduate roles begin to tighten up in Australia and across the globe, young applicants searching for their first job will have to make a lasting impression in the recruitment process to land a job.

The application process is gruelling, daunting, and suspenseful, especially for recent graduates or young people in general who may lack that familiarity with the recruitment space. Applying for jobs is all about those initial experiences, and when someone is going over your application or interviewing you, it’s essential that you have aspects that can grab their attention.

HR Leader recently spoke to Amy Schultz, global head of talent acquisition at Canva, regarding some of the strategies that young candidates can equip that will allow them to flourish in the application process.

“When it comes to early talent, I’d recommend familiarising with the company’s values, ensuring they align with yours and what you’re looking for. If they align, it’s time to apply. In the current market, it’s important to stand out, and that starts with a killer application,” Schultz said.

“As part of your application, show impact by highlighting anything you’ve worked on, from university assignments to work experience, that demonstrates an appetite to learn and help the company grow. Also, think about how you can use visual communication to stand out.”

In terms of crafting the all-important application – which will be the first impression that an organisation gets of you – Schultz explained that avoiding some of the traditional methods could uplift your chances of standing out among the pack.

“According to our New Year, New Job data report, 57 per cent of hiring managers prefer résumés with visual elements versus all text, specifically with interactive, clickable content (55 per cent) and colour (55 per cent).

“So don’t just stick to words. Think about how you can present the same message you want to get across visually and use creative design layouts to deliver the message in an engaging way,” she said.

For grad roles especially, due to the numbers dwindling, creativity becomes an imperative ally when competing for these job roles.

According to Australian labour market data and graduate surveys from QILT, an average of 32 per cent of recent graduates in architecture and design find themselves without employment opportunities, highlighting a substantial gap between educational training and the practical skills required by the job market.

With limited roles available, it’s crucial that young graduates ensure that they’ve put their best foot forward in regard to their application. Creativity can be all the difference in a candidate earning or missing out on a job role.

“Get creative with your application to stand out from the bunch. Have fun with visuals, video résumés, hype reels, visual presentations or personal websites that really demonstrate who you are, your values, your skills, your work, and the kind of impact you want to have at the company,” Schultz said.

“Employers also love seeing candidates use and interact with their products. It might not always be possible, but it’s something we’re increasingly seeing more of, especially from Gen Z candidates who are often using our visual communication and AI tools to write their résumés or prepare for interviews or our video tools to create hype reels that show off their work.”