Yep. And given how chaotic and dumb it all typically is: You will succeed if you can fix somebody's problem. This process, having to hire somebody, is the company's problem. They want it to be over. You can fix their problem by...
- having a cover letter that correctly identifies (1) the company, (2) what it does, and (3) why you specifically are a good fit for the specific position you are applying to
- showing up in person or over the phone and executing on those 3 points once again
- following up after the interview with a short thank you note that reiterates on those 3 points one last time
Companies (typically) want just these 3 simple things. They WANT them from you. They WANT you to succeed. Show up and BE the solution to their problem. You will blow most of the competition out of the water with the force of your application's coherence alone, and the company will greet you like a long lost child.
Now there are other situations that are designed specifically to intimidate and upset the applicant... undergraduate management consulting and finance recruiting processes can turn into this, notably. I don't have any advice on those situations, other than: Sure you want to work there?
- having a cover letter that correctly identifies (1) the company, (2) what it does, and (3) why you specifically are a good fit for the specific position you are applying to
- showing up in person or over the phone and executing on those 3 points once again
- following up after the interview with a short thank you note that reiterates on those 3 points one last time
Companies (typically) want just these 3 simple things. They WANT them from you. They WANT you to succeed. Show up and BE the solution to their problem. You will blow most of the competition out of the water with the force of your application's coherence alone, and the company will greet you like a long lost child.
Now there are other situations that are designed specifically to intimidate and upset the applicant... undergraduate management consulting and finance recruiting processes can turn into this, notably. I don't have any advice on those situations, other than: Sure you want to work there?