Application Support

Found the role for you, but need some help with your application? See our top tips below for your CV, covering letter and interview.

 

CV’s… We make them as easy as 1, 2, 3!

  • 1. Format

    Keep it clean and classy with an easy-to-read font, consistent spacing, and logical sections.
    Make sure your contact details are clearly displayed, followed by a crisp and concise personal summary or objective statement, and relevant key skills highlighted separately.
    Then, arrange your experience and education in a reverse chronological order (newest first!) for easy readability.

  • 2. Content

    One size does not fit all…
    Tailor your content to match the job you’re applying for.
    Highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments that are relevant to the job. Use action verbs to explain your successes and responsibilities in each role.
    If you can, add numbers to your accomplishments to make them quantifiable, and sprinkle keywords from the job description to make your CV shine.
    Don’t forget to include your education details!

  • 3. Design

    Why blend in when you can stand out?
    Pick a design that compliments the industry you’re applying to and remember to keep things symmetrical with enough breathing room (white space) between sections.
    Play with colours in moderation, neutral schemes work well for a professional look and feel!
    For a polished look, keep your headings, bullets, and text in a consistent formatting style.

Cover Letter Advice

Here’s our three top tips to make you stand out from the crowd.

  • 1. Get Personal

    Your cover letter should fit the job role and the company like a glove. Do not use the same cover letter for every application, get personal! 
    Address the hiring manager by name (if possible) and showcase your knowledge of the company’s values and missions and how they align to yours.
    Do your homework and let your passion for the role, the company and industry shine through.

  • 2. The secret...

    Do you want to blow the competition out of the water?
    You need to start with a bang by crafting a captivating opening that sets the tone and makes the recruiter want to read on… skip generic, think outside of the box and showcase your personality from the get-go.
    Recruiters read hundreds of covering letters, if you want them to click through to your CV, you need to set yourself apart from the crowd.

  • 3. You've got skills, right?

    Shout about them!
    Your cover letter is an extension of your CV, it’s your opportunity to highlight those specific skills and achievements that make you a standout candidate for the role.
    Back your skills up with real life examples, and where possible, quantify your accomplishments; not only will this give your application a solid boost, but it also gives you credibility and demonstrates the value you can bring to the position – result!

Interview Advice

Step one, don’t panic!
Step two, use our three P’s method:

  • 1. Prepare

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
    Yes, it’s cheesy, but it’s true. Do your research on the company, its culture, and the role you’re interviewing for. Get familiar with recent news or projects the company has undertaken.
    It’s a not-so-secret weapon, but it will help you tailor your responses and questions during the interview, whilst showcasing your genuine interest and preparedness.

  • 2. Practice

    Practice makes perfect.
    To feel confident during your interview, rehearse common interview questions and responses, and perhaps consider a mock interview with a friend or use online resources.
    Your body language is key, so flex those non-verbal muscles by keeping eye contact and projecting confidence through your posture when you practice.
    This prep work is the basis to nailing your interview and helping you relax when the day arrives!

  • 3. Presentation

    Dress appropriately for the industry and company culture.
    We are in the 21st century, living in a digital world, but it wouldn’t hurt to have hard copies of your CV, as well as a notepad and pen to take any notes if you need to.
    Arrive on time, if not a bit early, and be polite to everyone you encounter, you never know who you’re making an impression on.
    During the interview, listen actively, answer questions clearly, and ask insightful questions about the company and position.
    Why not add an extra touch of post interview, and follow up with a thank you email, expressing your gratitude for the opportunity, reiterate your interest and summarise why you’re a strong fit for the role.

You’ve got this, and when you land that job, we want to hear all about it so we can feature your success story on our socials, send us your story via our Contact Form.

Employee Rights

Let’s face it, the world of employment law can feel complicated, but it needn’t…
Fair treatment, safe working conditions and protection from discrimination are the key here. Thankfully, there are heaps of resources, legal guidance and regular updates available at your fingertips, giving you the power to be informed.
We recommend:

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FAQ's

  • How do I search for job vacancies on Island Jobs?

    Simply use the search bar on the homepage and enter relevant keywords such as location, job title or industry to find suitable vacancies.

    For a more detailed search, head to ‘All Jobs’ and use the advanced search option.

  • How do I apply for a job?

    Make sure you are logged in to you account. Click on the job listing and select ‘Apply Now’. You will have the option to select the relevant CV and Covering Letter from your account, then submit! 

    Some employers may have an alternative application process and redirect you to their site, if this is the case, you will need to follow the instructions outlined by the employer.

  • Does it cost anything to use Island Jobs?

    As a candidate, our service to you is completely free, and always will be.

  • Can I save job vacancies for later?

    Yes, you can save vacancies to your account for future reference. Simply login to your account, find the vacancy and click ‘Short List’. You will not be able to apply to a shortlisted vacancy once it has reached its closing date. 

  • I found a job perfect for someone I know, can I share it with them?

    You can! Use the ‘tell a friend’ option on the full job advert, and enter their email address to share the vacancy with them. 

  • Is there a way to receive new vacancy alerts for a specific criteria?

    Absolutely! You can set up an alert within your account dashboard for the industry you are interested in hearing about, include
    key words to broaden your parameters. We will notify you of relevant vacancies, daily, or weekly, depending on your preferences. 

  • Can I unsubscribe from alerts?

    Of course, if you no longer wish to receive alerts of relevant vacancies, you can turn off notifications within the ‘Job Alert’ tab in your account dashboard. Simply hit the unsubscribe button!

  • I don’t know where to start with creating my CV, can you help?

    We’ve got you. Login into your account and head to the ‘Add CV’ tab under ‘Short Links’.

    Here you can create a basic CV using our prompts, all you need to do is add the relevant information. Title your CV to align to a specific job or industry, then save to your account ready to use for when that perfect job comes up!

    For more tips and tricks to make your CV a winner, check out our Candidate page, and Instagram account @Islandjobs.

  • What should I do if I forget my password?

    Use the “Lost Password” link on the login page to reset your password securely.

  • I no longer need my account can I delete it?

    To delete your account, please contact us through the contact form confirming you would like your account deleted, we will then remove you from our database.

    Please just be mindful this will remove all of your historical applications and documents, so please save anything you may need on to your device!