Tips from an expert — Submitting your best application through BBTP
BBTP hosted its May Member Meeting around a practical topic: Submitting your best possible application through our platform. This valuable session was led by our very own Elina Liehu. Elina is the Founder and Managing Director of both BBTP and Ferovalo, and she has years of experience reviewing member applications with customers through our platform.
If you missed the presentation, you can still get a summary of Elina’s tips. The BBTP Team has compiled key points from the presentation so that all BBTP Members can benefit. Read on to learn more.
How applying to a BBTP assignment is different from a direct sale
Elina began the May Member Meeting by explaining the unique aspects of applying for assignments through Best Best Talent Platform, as opposed to selling yourself directly to the customer.
When selling yourself to a customer, the process usually begins with a conversation. You give an elevator pitch about what you do and the potential customer can ask questions right away to find out all the possible services you offer. In other words, you work together to find the overlap... where your strengths meet the company’s needs.
Applying to an assignment through Best Best Talent Platform works differently. When applying to an assignment on BBTP, the company’s need has already been identified. Of course, the tasks could still be somewhat vague, but the BBTP Partner has at least helped the customer to present a key need and key competencies they are looking for. Thus, your application must be tailored to the assignment. Otherwise, you will not be considered for the position.
Breaking down each component of the application
With multiple applicants competing for the same role, the customer will not take the time to connect the dots between what you have done before and what they are asking for in their open assignment. To increase your chances of being selected for an interview, you must clearly present why you are the perfect match for the job at hand.
Elina presented tips for putting your best foot forward in two major components of the assignment application— your CV and the application questions.
Tips for submitting your best CV
- Tailor the CV to suit the assignment. You can keep a base CV with all your previous experience but form a customized CV with only relevant information to submit for each assignment.
- Make sure to give a short summary of each company highlighted on your CV. Don’t assume that the customer will know what each company does, especially if they are a leader in an industry that is not the same as the assignment.
- Check that the CV matches the specific needs and language of the assignment. By using the same terms as in the application information, you prevent misunderstandings about your qualifications for the role.
Tips for crafting your best answers to the application questions
- Make sure you include a compelling summary of your experience and your fit for the role at hand. Look over all the questions before starting to write and decide which question is suitable for this overarching summary (usually it is the first or last question).
- Always answer the question completely and give examples that bring your experience to life. After writing a draft of an answer go back to check whether you have missed any components of the question and if you have justified your answer through concrete examples.
- When giving examples, highlight experiences that are directly relevant to the assignment. Again, do not make any assumptions! If you are unsure whether the reader will see the relevance spell it out for them. Remember that the person reviewing the application may not be an expert in the job they are hiring for. Explain yourself as if you are presenting yourself to an HR Manager, not the person who held the job previously.
- Write with clear and concise language and check that your final submission is polished. Use straightforward language that makes your qualifications easy to understand and utilize tools like spell-check or Grammarly to avoid unprofessional mistakes. Automatic spellcheck does not work within the platform, so write your answers in a separate document with spell-check before adding them to the application.
Common application mistakes and tips for landing an interview
Toward the end of her presentation, Elina highlighted several common mistakes that applicants should be aware of and some indicators she has noticed about who gets selected for interviews.
Mistakes to avoid
- Generic applications— The best applications show how the applicant will shine in the role and the company they are applying to.
- Lack of clear references— Ensure your references are relevant and listed clearly in the application materials.
- Ignoring the instructions— Always follow the specific instructions and requirements outlined in the job posting and don’t be afraid to contact the BBTP Partner facilitating the recruitment process if you have questions.
Tips for landing an interview
- Highlight your relevancy— Make sure to emphasize why your unique experience and skills are a perfect fit for the assignment.
- Answer potential questions— Anticipate questions the reviewer might have and address them in your application. Potential questions could involve, for example, gaps in your CV.
- Maintain a professional and respectful tone— Tone is tricky to balance in a written application. Try your best to present yourself as confident... but not over-confident. Present your qualifications with pride and give examples of past successes but consider leaving out concrete solutions at this stage.
Next steps for improving your application
After gaining valuable insights from Elina’s experience facilitating recruitment processes, BBTP Members discussed more ways to improve their applications. The discussion included an idea that the BBTP Team will take forward in the Autumn, which is hosting a CV feedback exchange for BBTP Members.
For more information about open assignments and upcoming events (like the CV exchange), make sure your BBTP Member registration is active. You can check this by logging into the platform and clarifying your communication preferences (click your name in the top right corner and choose “communication preferences” from the dropdown menu).
Hungry for more application tips?
Check out another blog post on the subject.
More Member Meetings are on the way
Monthly Member Meetings are for talent who are registered on our platform and the meetings are designed based on their input. Details surrounding upcoming meetings or other BBTP events can always be found on the home page of the platform and summaries of meetings can be read on the BBTP blog.
Not yet a member of Best Best Talent Platform?
Read more and register today.
Have something you would like to present at a future meeting?
Contact our Community Manager, Leah Martin: leah.martin@bestbesttalentplatform.com
Last but not least, if you found something about this meeting or blog post useful, feel free to give your thoughts in the comment section below.