So
you've found the perfect job to apply to….now what? You can have a stellar
resume and be very well prepared for an interview, but unless that company can
find you as a candidate an interview request is not likely happen! And quite
naturally, the best way to get a chance of that interview is applying to the
job. Today we’ll take a look at some of the common steps and concerns in the
application process.
The
first thing you’ll want to do when applying is to review the application and
make sure that you have all the necessary information. Some online applications
are fairly simply: Name, contact info, upload resume, done. Others will require
you to create a profile, including past work history, references, etc. in order
to apply for any of the jobs listed on the company site. Rather than scramble last minute to find all
that information, it is far easier to compile a list of the necessary (or most
likely) information you will need. A lot of the information can be found on
your resume, but check out the online application ahead of time just in case.
One of
the most important pieces of the puzzle is having an updated resume. Not only
will you find important information on there for the application process, but
any recruiter or company is going to want to see a professional, updated
resume. Having a resume that is either sloppy or out of date will leave a poor
impression of you as a candidate. Before
you start your application, have a knowledgeable person/friend look over your
resume for you. Someone who is familiar with your chosen field is best (as they
will easily be able to see whether the information makes sense) but even
someone not in the science field can check over for misspelled words, misplaced
commas, etc. You should also have tailored your resume for the specific job you
are applying to, in order to highlight the specific skills/jobs that can best
showcase why you are a fit for that position.
One of
the most common misunderstandings when applying to a job is the curriculum
vitae (CV) versus on a resume. A CV is sort of a resume with a slant more
towards an academic setting. It is meant to showcase research, presentation,
and publications; a CV is more commonly used when applying to a job at a
university, or when applying to graduate school. It often will describe
positions in paragraph forms. A resume, on the other hand, showcases work
history and skills sets; it is used when applying to a job in a non-academic or
“industry” setting. Rather than being written in paragraphs, bullet points or
lists are used to highlight the responsibilities held in various job positions.
Another
question often asked by job seekers is whether to include a cover letter and
references with your resume. Whether you include them or not usually depends
upon the individual application/company site. If they are required, you will
need to include them. If they are optional to include, it is up to you. A cover
letter is your chance to highlight why your skills and experiences make you a
great fit for the job opportunity, provided you don’t simply rehash what’s
already on your resume to begin with! If references aren’t required, it usually
means you won’t need to include them; companies will assume that if they need
references from you, they will be available later.
As some
finals thoughts on applying, take the following tidbits of advice. First, be
sure that your first and last name are included in the title of your resume. It
makes it much easier for the recruiter or company to find a resume for “John
Doe Resume” than “Resume.” Next, be sure to double check that all required
fields have been filled out on the application forms, and that all necessary
documents have been included. Happy job hunting!
Stay tuned for our next article on 08/14/14 where we’ll
discuss when to apply for positions. Until then, feel free to catch up on our
previous articles, and be sure to check out our pages on Linked In, Twitter,
Facebook, and Google+ for the latest news and opportunities available through
Verum Staffing! If you are interested in speaking with us further regarding
positions we have available, future opportunities, or interview/resume help,
please send an email to lhoff@verumstaffing.com
to set up an informational interview.
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