How Changing One Thing On My Application Helped Me Get A Job Through CSS

By Lisa Osiako

Have you been applying for numerous job opportunities through Corporate Staffing and are feeling like nothing is bearing fruit?

What could be going wrong?

Everyone’s job search journey is different. However, there are a few things you can do, to make it a little easier for you.

Brian Maranga had been applying for jobs through Corporate Staffing for about a year. For all the opportunities he applied for, he did not get a single interview invite. That is until his last application, where he decided to do something a little different, all in a bid to stand out during the application process.

In July this year, we advertised an IT Job for our client, a premier law firm, Kaplan and Stratton advocates. This was done not only on our website but on other partner websites as well.

We shortlisted about 20 for the first interview from over 500 applications made and recommended 6 for the client interview. Brian got the job!

I had a lively interview with him on his job search journey, and what kept him motivated to continue applying for jobs. Most importantly, I wanted to know what different thing he did, and what you can learn from his experience.

Who is Brian?

I am an IT professional with slightly over 4 years of experience in this profession. I love being dynamic, and the thrill that comes with new challenges.

My question is always, “What new thing can I offer an organization?” and that makes me aspire for greater things.

Did you know about Corporate Staffing before you applied for the job?

Yes, I did. Through Google. I applied for so many jobs through you, especially within this past year. 

I also know of a friend who got a job through you, so that encouraged me.

After applying for so many jobs through CSS and not getting shortlisted for interviews, what made you keep on applying?

I started applying for jobs about a year ago. After working at my previous organization for three years, I wanted a change. I wanted to chase after a new challenge. A place I could also change and put more effort in, while at it.

This prompted me to apply for jobs, even as I continued working at my previous place of work. Coming into this year, COVID happened and like many professionals during this time, I had to take a 30% pay cut. This made things harder for me.

After two months with the pay cut, I was on a one month paid leave. After the one month ran out, my then employer expressed that we would have to go on unpaid leave, until things picked up again. This was indefinite.

With that, my resolve to look for a job became stronger, and every interview I attended, I gave it my 100%. It was a do-or-die situation for me.

When you applied for this job and finally got called for an interview, what was your feeling?

I felt like there was hope, finally!

The interview process for me was also something different for me.

I was used to making my application online, but having both interviews done online – that was an experience I had never been through.

With the ongoing pandemic, many professionals have faced job losses, and like you, have taken pay cuts and are on unpaid leave. Did you think that you would get a job during this time?

Over the one year that I had been applying for jobs, this was not my first interview.

However, this is the first interview I decided to give my all – maybe because it was the first one I got through Corporate Staffing.

I gave it 110%. I did my research and knew I was prepared for this. In the end, I was confident that I had given my best shot, and if I wasn’t the best candidate, I was at least the second-best.

Congratulations on securing the job. What advice would you give someone who has applied for so many jobs and is on the verge of giving up?

Review your CV. Before applying for this job, I sat down and redid my CV. Looking back at all the other jobs I had applied for and was not successful, maybe my CV was the problem. So get a few people to look through your CV.

Also, give it your all. For you to stand out in the job market, you need to know your stuff – what you bring to the table. Look at the job description of the role you want to apply for. Can you do it? Put it on your CV.

In the end,

Applying for jobs, many times is not a guarantee that you will be selected for the role.

However, don’t give up. Look through what you can change in every application, and give it your all.

All the best!