Updated 10 October 2026 · Job7u editorial team
A targeted application helps a reviewer find evidence that matches the advertised role. It should be accurate, selective and easy to compare with the vacancy criteria. Start with the employer’s current instructions: a portal may ask for a form instead of a CV, or require a particular covering-letter format.
Build a requirement-to-evidence map
Choose the most important duties and essential criteria from the exact role. For each, identify a project, qualification or work example that you can support. If you do not have evidence for an essential condition, do not hide that gap behind general claims such as “hardworking professional”.
| Role requirement | Evidence to include |
|---|---|
| Maintain accurate records | A real recordkeeping task, checking method and result |
| Coordinate a team | Team size, your responsibility and a specific outcome |
| Use a named system | Actual system use and scope of competence |
Write clear experience bullets
Use an action, the task or scope, and a result you can substantiate. Keep numbers only if you can explain how they were measured. Separate your own contribution from a team’s result.
Illustrative rewrite: “Responsible for office work” becomes “Maintained a weekly invoice register, checked entries against supplier documents and flagged mismatches for the accounts officer.” Add a measured result only if you have the evidence. This example is a writing pattern, not text to claim as your own experience.
Make the CV easy to check
Use a clear name and contact section, relevant experience with dates, education, and role-relevant skills. Prioritise evidence that answers the advert. Avoid repeating the employer’s keywords without showing actual work. Use consistent month/year dates and explain a gap briefly when relevant rather than inventing employment.
Check spelling of the employer, role and reference. Use a simple readable layout, a suitable filename and the requested file type. If applying through a form, confirm that entered dates and titles agree with the CV.
A covering letter with a purpose
- Opening: identify the exact role and notice or case number.
- Evidence: explain two or three relevant examples that meet the most important criteria.
- Closing: refer to the requested documents and provide a professional contact route.
Illustrative opening: “I am applying for [role], reference [number]. My experience in [relevant area] includes [specific evidence relevant to the advertised duty].” Replace the brackets with truthful details. Avoid claims about being the ideal candidate unless the following evidence makes the point.
Tailor without exaggerating
Adjust which evidence you emphasise for each role. Do not change job dates, qualification names or your level of responsibility to match an advert. If a tool helps draft the wording, check every claim yourself and remove unsupported metrics, duties or qualifications. Your final application should sound like your actual experience.
Before sending
Read the application route again. Confirm attachments, file limits, subject line and deadline. Keep a copy of the exact version sent. Do not email documents if the employer requires a portal, or assume postal applications are prohibited when the notice allows them.
Use the eligibility checklist for evidence checks and the application tracker guide for submission records.