Decide
what kind of job you want.
In order to streamline job application process, examine what your needs and
desires are for employment. You can narrow down your options by taking a few
things into consideration:
•
Consider
career field. Whether you are transitioning from another field or are
looking to make a lateral move, it is important to find work that is both
challenging and rewarding for you. Knowing what you don’t want to do is just as
important and knowing what you do want to do.
•
Consider
skills required for a particular position. Feeling like your skills are
being well utilized and acknowledged is key to feeling satisfaction at a job.
Having an idea about which of your skills will be tapped, and which you will be
able to develop, is key to deciding on a worthwhile job.
•
Consider
your salary and benefit requirements. Be honest and realistic about your bottom
line. If you need health coverage and require a certain amount of income per
month, it is best to hone in on jobs that fulfill those requirements
Do your
research. Before you
begin sending out resumes and cover letters, look into companies you are
applying for.
•
Get
a sense of company’s personality and values by reading its mission
statement. This information can come in handy when writing your cover letter
and in an interview situation.
•
Read
up on new products or services company is providing. This information is
often located in company’s “news” section. This section can also be a
source of information on community activities company is involved in.
•
Review
jobs or careers section of company website for insight into job
openings. You may find more options for employment in other departments or
locations.
Write a
resume. Even if job
you want doesn’t require submission of a traditional resume, having an
up-to-date resume is highly recommended. Resumes not only outline your
education and work history, but they can also point to specific projects you’ve
worked on or awards you’ve won. Information to include on your resume should
entail:
•
Your
current contact information, including your full name, phone number, mailing
address, and email address.
•
Your
educational background. List colleges you have attended (beginning with
your most recent), year you attended, and any degrees or certificates
earned. You may opt to include your course of study.
•
Your
work history for the past few years. The unofficial rule is one resume page per
ten years of experience. Be aware that large gaps in employment, or multiple
jobs within a short amount of time, will be something you may be asked about in
an interview. Be sure to include dates of employment, the company name, your
title, and a brief description of your activities.
•
Your
relevant skills. This is your opportunity to list all the skills you have
acquired through the years. Knowledge of office equipment, familiarity with
computer operating systems, software programs (such as Microsoft Office Suite
or Adobe Creative Suite), typing speed, database experience, and other relevant
information should be included in your resume.
Contact the
employer to ask about the application process. You will likely have your call routed to the hiring or
human resources manager. If they have openings, they may ask you to either come
in to fill out an application or that you send them your resume and cover
letter by mail or e-mail. Be sure to note this contact's name, and address all
future communication to this person, by name.
Write a cover
letter, if necessary.
Make sure it is specific to both company and job. If possible, address
contact letter to a specific contact person. This demonstrates that you
took time to research information and are not simply mass-emailing
every employer you can find. Consider discussing following topics in your
cover letter:
•
How
company’s personality and mission align with your own values.
•
How
your background makes you a valuable asset to role and to company.
•
What
it is you hope to gain from working in this role.
•
What
unique talents would you bring to this position?
•
What
specifically interests you about this position?
Get a second (or third) opinion. Ask friends or family members to review your resume and cover letter for typos. They may be able to point out things that are missing, or items that could be rephrased.
•
If
possible, get advice from someone working in the field you are applying for.
Speaking to recruiters or hiring managers may be beneficial as well, as they
are familiar with the qualities and qualifications employers are looking for.
Locate references. Though you may not have to provide a list of references right away, it is wise to tap people early to ask whether they would consider being a professional reference for you.
•
It
is recommended that you secure at least three references. At least two of these
references should be people whom you have worked with and who can speak to your
job performance.
•
Be
sure you have your references' updated contact information, including mailing
and email addresses, phone number, current title, and current company.
Apply. Once you have fine-tuned your resume and cover letter, it is time to begin the application process. Applications are typically submitted in one of three ways:
•
In
person. Bring a packet containing all your materials to the prospective
employer's workplace. It is recommended that you ask ahead of time for the best
time to deliver your materials. When you arrive, ask to speak to the hiring
manager and try to hand your materials to them personally. This allows the
hiring manager to put a face to the name. It is recommended that you dress
professionally and present yourself well.
•
Online.
Online applications vary--some may ask you to fill in fields, while others may
require that you attach PDFs of your cover letter and resume. Some companies
request that you email your materials to their Human Resources department. It
is important to follow directions--if they ask that you send your resume in the
body of the email, do not send an attachment!
•
By
mail. If requested, be sure to include the name of the hiring or HR manager on
all of the correspondence. Ensure that you have the proper postage for the
weight of your application packet.
Follow up. Checking on the status of your
application shows your interest in the position and ensures that your
application materials have made it to the appropriate person. Calling right
away can seem demanding and off-putting. Follow these suggestions for reaching
out:
•
Pay
attention to job "close date." Most jobs posted online will have a
posted closing date. Calling the hiring manager before this date can make you
seem overly eager and desperate.
•
If
there is no close date, a good rule of thumb is to make contact one week after
application submission.
When you do call or email the hiring or HR manager, try to make the tone of you communication friendly. Avoid demanding comments like,
"I haven't been contacted yet." Instead, ask questions such as
"Have any decisions been made yet?" or
"Can you tell me a little more about the hiring time frame?"
Asking if you might contact them again in one week if no word has been given is a polite way to be proactive
