1. Key areas to focus on in your application:

• Past HR Experience: In my experience, a strong HR background is a clear requirement here, be specific about your HR related responsibilities in previous roles in your CV.

• Recruitment and Selection: An experience of implementing successful strategies in the area of recruitment and selection can be a major selling point.

• Employee Records Maintenance: Detail your involvement with maintaining employee records. Highlight your organizational skills and detail-oriented nature with examples from past experience.

• Payroll Administration: If you have managed payroll in the past, ensure to emphasize this in your CV. This is a task that requires accuracy, consistency and trusts so do well to cite examples.

• Disciplinary Hearings: Underline any experiences you have had in handling delicate situations like disciplinary hearings. This requires a high degree of professionalism and discretion, so competences and readiness to handle such situations should be emphasized.

2. Areas to pay careful attention to:

• The Application Method: As the ad directs, send your CV to the email provided. I've noticed over time that failure to follow the exact application instructions can lead to an automatic rejection.

• The Deadline: Applications expire by 07 Nov 2023. It's recommended to apply well before the deadline; it shows eagerness and respect for the company's timeline.

• Tertiary HR Qualification: Highlight relevant qualifications prominently on your CV. However, if you lack the stated qualification but possess substantial HR experience, still apply. In your cover letter, make a compelling case as to why your experience can substitute for formal qualification.

• IPMZ Advantage: If you have the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe (IPMZ) certification as stated in the ad, be sure to emphasize this as it's a distinct advantage.

• The Phrase "Self Starter": This indicates the employer is looking for proactive individuals who can take initiative. Highlight experiences where you've displayed this quality.

3. Top ways to stand out:

• Successful Case Studies: Nothing is more compelling than proven success. Include case studies in your CV where your involvement made a significant positive difference.

• Tailored CV: Make your application specific to the job and company. Doing so would show you have put thought into why you're a suitable fit for the role and this would set you apart.

• Demonstrate Soft Skills: Highlighting skills like excellent communication, interpersonal relationships, and conflict resolution will set you apart from others.

4. Items novices may overlook:

• "Maintenance of employee records": This is a key task in HR. Novices might miss the importance of detailing their experience in this area, but employers value applicants who demonstrate they can organize and maintain crucial information.

• Tertiary HR Qualification and IPMZ Advantage: As an experienced HR professional, one overlooked aspect I often encounter is applicants undervaluing the benefit of having additional certifications which in this case is the IPMZ. Highlight this if you have it as it could set you apart from others.

• "A self-starter who manages the Human Resources function at all levels": This phrase is telling you the employer is looking for someone who can operate independently and has a comprehensive understanding of the HR function. Applicants could miss this indication of the company's work culture but it's vital when considering the role.