I learned this key skill in the pandemic
or, how do you actually write a successful application?
Hello,
It’s been ages. I’ve missed writing to you.
I realise I’m quite low on my job rejection count this year (if you don’t know I aim for 100 rejections a year). I am fortunate to have worked consistently across various projects and so I haven’t exactly been on the lookout for opportunities.
I am now slowly getting back into applying for things and it’s causing me to brush up on my application writing skills. It’s amazing how quickly these skills go rusty!
There are so many ‘how to write a successful application’ articles and workshops out there, but I’ve found that they tell you what to write and not necessarily how to communicate that information effectively.
So I thought I’d look back over some of my recent successful applications and share some of the techniques that I used when I was writing them. I’m also applying what I’ve learned from my experience of being on the other side of the table and seeing what makes someone’s application appealing.
Note: I’ve used these techniques whether I have been applying for a job (freelance or otherwise), pitching an idea or applying for something specific like funding or a place on a scheme.
I’m obviously not guaranteeing that anything I’ve done will land you a job…even I don’t have a 100% success rate! I’m simply sharing how, once I implemented these techniques for myself, I noticed a positive difference in how my applications were received.
Tone & Language
Have you ever stared at a screen, read back over the jargon you wrote and thought oh ffs just hire me, I promise I can do the work! Yeah, me too.
Here is how I translated that mentality into professional speak:
I owned my sh*t. I didn’t try to convince the reader that I’m the person for the job, I wrote with conviction that I am the person for the job. Use clear, strong, active statements: I will, I want, I am. This article will, this project will appeal to…These phrases kept my answers succinct and stopped me from going off on a tangent.
I didn’t try to be clever. Simple language isn’t patronising, it make the reader’s job easy. Reading an application that clearly explains who the applicant is, what they do and what they want is so rare but so wonderful when it’s done well.
I used the language from the application brief. Again, it helps me stay on track, keeps tangents at bay…and it makes the reader’s job easier because if they can see how I fit the brief then then that takes me one step closer to a yes.
Content
When I’m struggling with how to put my ideas across I often ask myself ‘what am I trying to say?’ and more often than not the answers come out very basic, simple and often crass. I write these answers down and then work on dressing them up a little.
I also ask: Why me? Why this idea? A literary agent once told me that there’s no such thing as an original story but there are different ways of telling it. In fact, when I’ve pitched ideas for articles, I have often explicitly said that there are many articles which examine x y z but they haven’t covered a b c. This shows I’ve done my research and still come up with a niche yet accessible idea for an article.
I don’t always use the entire word count. If I feel happy enough in my answer then I don’t feel like I need to pad it out. The only thing worse than hearing someone waffle on is reading someone waffle on.
Time
I put a time limit on it. Sometimes it’s the thing that we barely work on which is the most successful. I plan my answers, leave time to proofread etc but I don’t spend forever on it. The person reading it will not be spending as much time on it as I have. So yes, absolutely I work hard and write my application to the best of my ability, but there comes a time when I need to just get it done and send it off. (yes, there have been times when I have sent something off before it was ready, I’m human I mess up boo hoo)
I think about when I am sending in my application. For instance, I don’t tend to send article pitches on Mondays or Fridays as this is when most people are either overwhelmed with emails and trying to prioritise their to do list or it’s a Friday and people are tired from being overwhelmed with their emails and to do lists. (again, this isn’t a hard and fast rule…I once pitched to someone who only worked Mondays and Fridays so take this with a pinch of salt!)
So in summary:
Own your sh*t
Be concise and precise
Send it off
Takeaways
Here are a few of the projects I applied for using the above techniques:
Dear Hope (a series of shorts that are perfect for watching whilst cosied up with a cuppa)
How To Perform Verbatim Theatre
Did you find this techniques useful? If so, would you consider leaving a comment or if you’re feeling extra generous, buying me a coffee so that I can keep this kinda content going?
📺 Stath Lets Flats Season 3 I’m halfway through this series, trying to resist the urge to binge but I love it so much. Laugh out loud funny.
🚶🏾♀️ I’ve started generally walking and stretching more and feel a lot better for it
☕️ Anyone else gulping tea like it’s air?