Applying for jobs at Exponetic
11 January 2007, by Karl Bunyan
This short piece should give a few pointers to anyone who's thinking of applying for a role at Exponetic, or many other digital agencies. 
We’ve recently had jobs advertised for both PHP and junior XHTML/CSS programmer positions and, especially for the latter, we get a lot of applications. The volume is so great it’s just not possible to reply to everyone individually and the quality of CVs varies so much that I think it’s worth giving a few tips on what kind of things I look for when they start coming in.
- If it’s a senior position, then the main thing is to demonstrate capability at the main skillset required, whether it be front end, PHP or ASP.Net. Capacity to learn is important but don’t feel you need to claim competency in every skill under the sun.
- For junior and trainee positions I’m more interested in potential, but also some focus. Someone who feels drawn towards a particular role and has started working on it in their spare time is already way ahead of the pack.
- Make sure you talk about the key skills being advertised. Other skills are a bonus, but usually there’s a specific job to be done. e.g. when applying for an XHTML/CSS developer position, a long list of server-side technology projects will probably mean you’re not suitable. (We may still want to hear from you in any case, just not necessarily for that job!) A lot of the CVs I reject may be good CVs with a strong skills list, but if they’re not what was advertised then most likely I’ll move on.
- Your location may be important. When there are a number of CVs, having to bring someone halfway across the country can count against a particular application. I don’t want to feel guilty about you paying for a train fare (or even a flight) when there’s a lot of competition for a job.
- Although we’re unlikely to be expecting you to be a literary genius, obvious spelling mistakes give an impression of a lack of attention to detail and are likely to put you in the no-no category. Get someone else to check your CV over.
- Make sure you show some of your work either on the CV or a covering letter. Even if you don’t have commercial experience some hobby projects will show what you’re capable of. Developers who have only worked behind the scenes will almost always have something online somewhere, even if it’s just a hobby project.
- The covering letter can say a lot, as long as it looks like you’ve put some thought into it. If you’re thinking of applying and reading this, then you’re already doing a bit of research so probably don’t need to be told.
- Some jobs require liaison with clients and will specify good communication skills. Generally, that’s going to need good spoken English and if you’re CV is very grammatically awry that’s unlikely to be in your favour.
- If you’re changing career then show why you’re suited to the new one. Again, personal projects are fine (especially or junior positions). Just saying ‘I’ve been learning HTML’ without backing it up won’t get you looked at.
Whoever you send your CV to, good luck!
January 11, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Filed in: Business & Management
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