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Exactly what employers look for on a candidate's job application is a mystery to most job seekers. Do they want to see a reverse chronological resume over a functional one? Are they looking for applicants with a very specific set of skills and work experience? While candidates may scratch their collective heads in confusion, employers are looking for five basic characteristics in every job seeker: motivation, qualifications, fit, possible concerns, and interest in their company.

What Motivates the Applicant?

Motivation is one of the great keys to success in a new position. Employers typically consider the following, which should generally be reflected on both the resume and cover letter:

* What is the candidate motivated by?
* Is the money more important than the job, or vice versa?
* Is the job seeker goal-oriented and driven to success in the position?
* How is the person motivated to put his or her best foot forward and really wow bosses and directors?

Is the Job Seeker Qualified for the Position?

What companies look for in terms of qualifications include the candidate's strengths, relevant experience, and what the person can bring to the table. While writing the resume and cover letter, the job seeker should keep in mind that the employer is essentially asking why they should hire the person. Thus, the application should be written persuasively and authoritatively in the sense of, "I am highly qualified for this position because..."

Is the Candidate a Good Fit?

Though employers place a high value on qualifications, just as much emphasis (if not more) is placed on whether the person will be a good fit for the company. Employers want to know if the candidate will get along with others in the company, whether the person is a team player versus independent worker, and whether the job seeker will flourish in the company's work environment.

Are There Any Possible Concerns?

While companies want to look at the positive aspects of the candidate's skills and experience, they may also want to look at some potential pitfalls. These include how the person handled a difficult situation, what the job seeker didn't like about the last position held, weaknesses, and why the person left the previous job. Another common question employers want to know is why long gaps in employment exist on the candidate's resume.

Is the Person Interested in the Company?

Jobs are not easy to come by, so the job seeker must always cite enthusiasm about the company, its mission, and its products and/or services. Employers want to know what the candidate is looking for in a new position and whether the person is truly interested in the company. The answer should always be yes. The employer may also ask the job seeker if he or she is interviewing or has already interviewed with other companies. The candidate should be honest here, yet again expressing enthusiasm about the company in question and its mission: "Yes, but I'm particularly interested in working for your company because..."

The saying, "Finding a new job is a full time job in itself" is largely true. However, by customizing the resume and cover letter to address how employers rank job applicants in such areas as motivation, qualifications, fit, concerns, and interest, job seekers can expect better luck in being contacted by an interested employer and landing a new job.

Learn more about this author, Daniel J. Gansle.
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