Module 3/4 26 min
Tailoring to the job ad and writing the cover letter
Step 1 / 4·Reading a job ad like an insider
0/4 steps done
Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Read a job ad to find the requirements that actually matter
- Tailor your CV for a specific role in 15 minutes
- Write a four-paragraph cover letter that works
Add to Blueprint ~8 min
Reading a job ad like an insider
Tell the real requirements from the filler.
A job ad usually lists 8–12 requirements, but in practice only 2–3 decide who gets called. Your job is to find those 2–3 and make them prominent in your CV.
Four signs of a REAL requirement
- IT APPEARS EARLY: the most important requirement is nearly always written first.
- IT REPEATS across both the responsibilities and the requirements — saying the same thing twice means it matters.
- IT'S QUANTIFIED: 'minimum 3 years', 'managing a team of 10', 'a plant of 500 employees'.
- IT'S TIED TO A CURRENT PROBLEM: a line like 'rebuild the appraisal process' shows there's a specific job waiting for someone.
Should you apply without 100% of the requirements?
Yes. Most ads describe the ideal candidate, not the minimum bar, and very few people tick every box. A practical rule: if you meet the REAL requirements (the 2–3 above) and roughly 60–70% of the rest, apply — as long as you say what you'd offset the gap with.
Key takeaway: Find the 2–3 real requirements via four signs: early, repeated, quantified, tied to a current problem.