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Top tips before you apply for a role

Landing your dream job starts with applying for your dream role, and the right approach can help you navigate the application process with confidence and professionalism. 

Refining your CV will help you make a strong first impression in the competitive job market, and set you on the path to career advancement. Our recuitment team wants to understand what excites you about the role and how your experience applies. From there, the recruitment process is about discovering how you and your new team might fit together. 

Below are our top tips for submitting an effective job application to give you the best chance of progressing to an interview.

 

 

Crafting a compelling CV is essential to helping you make a strong first impression. Here are a few tips for building a standout CV: 

  • Tailor your CV to the job: Customise your CV for your application by highlighting your relevant skills and experience that fit the job requirements. 
  • Focus on achievements: Rather than listing job responsibilities alone, emphasise your accomplishments and explain how they have contributed to the success of your previous roles. 
  • Use clear and concise language: Communicate your skills and experience clearly and avoid jargon, and unnecessary details. 
  • Proofread carefully: Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors and consider seeking feedback from a trusted source to catch any overlooked mistakes. 
  • Consider the format: Hold your potential interviewers attention by making your CV easy to follow, avoiding repetition, and keeping to three pages or less. 
  • Use AI wisely: AI can be a useful tool, but try not to rely on it. Use your words to portray your unique human self. 

Top tip: Don’t let your experience dictate the job you get – let the job you want dictate your CV. Even if your experience is limited, our recruitment team wants to hear about the projects that have been the most engaging and rewarding of your career.

Preparing a cover letter gives you an opportunity to communicate why you want the role you are applying for and why you want to work at Deloitte.

Remember, it’s important not to rely on AI to write your cover letter. AI cover letters have a distinctive style and format that are not representative of your voice, which puts you a disadvantage compared to other candidates who may come across more genuine. 

From the causal recruiter phone screen to the formal Partner meet, interviews can take many different forms. But no matter the format, you and your interviewer both want to understand how you might fit together in a way that benefits everyone.

Learning how to getting the most out of interviews is a skill - here’s where to start: 

Do your research: Research the service offerings at Deloitte New Zealand so you can confidently answer any industry questions with ease. Discover what interests you so you can communicate to your interviewer what you like about Deloitte, why you want to work here, and the value you will bring.

Make a connection: Your interviewer will envision how you might fit in with the team and how you would collaborate and communicate with clients. Put your best foot forward and be the person everyone wants to say hello to every morning! 

Prepare thoughtful questions: An interview is your chance to learn about Deloitte and be sure this is the right role, and the right company, for you. Ask anything you want to know that will help you make an informed decision for your career!

Eyes on the prize: If there's one thing that stand-out interviewees have in common, it's focussing on the matter at hand. Every question you’re asked is an opportunity to align yourself not only to the role, but to Deloitte values as well. 

Top tip: Your interviewer wants to communicate everything you share back to the hiring team, so be sure to talk slowly and clearly, especially during phone screens. 

Many employers access great talent via LinkedIn and the platform serves as a valuable tool to expand on your CV. Leverage LinkedIn to enhance your professional career by:

  • Showcasing your skills, achievements, and endorsements from prior experiences to build a strong online brand.
  • Joining, or creating, LinkedIn groups to connect with businesses and other professionals in your area and expand your network.
  • Completing specialised courses that can help you acquire new skills and stay competitive in your field. Add certifications to your profile to showcase your commitment to professional development.
  • Maintaining genuine public social media profiles and being considerate about what you share online.

Finally, it’s crucial to remember that soft skills and technical skills are equally valued. Prepare examples of how you've demonstrated communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability in your previous roles to showcase your ability to work collaboratively.

Final tip

The most important part of applying for a position is to be yourself! Our value statement is “Join us – but be you.” You can be comfortable showing who you are, because our hiring team already know that you will add unique value.

What impact will you make?