It’s no secret that filling out job applications can be stressful. However, there are some tips that will make the process a little bit more manageable. Below are a few secrets to know before dealing with that prolonged application process.
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You don’t have to match the job description 100%.
You don’t even have to match it 90%. Or even 75%. Are you ready for some relieving news? If you can perform at least 50% of the job description, you most likely qualify for the role! Crazy, right? Well, it might not be as crazy as it seems.
One of my professors back in college gave the best explanation to this that boosted my confidence to apply for more positions. Imagine the list of preferences as a spoiled rich kid’s Christmas list. Chances are, they’re going to list everything that comes to mind. Depending on how long the list is, there’s a high probability that the kid is only going to receive a portion of what was listed down. Now look again at the job description. For an entry-level position, that list probably looks daunting. That’s okay because you don’t have to check off everything on that Christmas list…I mean, job description! Focus on the items that you know that you can excel at.
“But wait…what if someone comes along that does have all of the preferences? Won’t the company want them instead of me?”
Valid question! If someone comes along who knows everything listed on the job description, they’re most likely going to go apply to a higher-skilled role. When it comes to a career, always leave some wiggle room for you to learn something new and grow.
When asked for your “desired pay”, you should research your location’s estimate.
Many of us tend to under-estimate the worth of our skills when filling out job applications. It’s not uncommon for someone to request barely above minimum wage when their skills are worth twice the amount. On top of that, a common excuse I see is, “If they like my skills, they’ll just offer me a lot more money, right?”
Look at it this way, if you went to the store to happily buy a brand-new TV for $800, and the cashier notifies you that it’s on sale for $500 dollars, are you going to ask the cashier to cancel the sale because you know it’s worth the full $800? I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m walking out with an extra $300 in my bank account, and many companies will do the same if you discount your skillsets.
Don’t drastically undersell yourself. Chances a good that you’re worth a lot more than you give yourself credit for. You can check your job title’s average salary with tools from Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter.
Make sure your resume is ATS-Friendly
According to Jobscan, “An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a human resources software that acts as a database for job applicants.” This is great for keeping all of those applications organized, but there are also some flaws. Because an ATS is responsible for narrowing the pool of applicants, it’s possible that your beautiful resume got rejected before it could even be seen by the recruiter.
All those no-replies or immediate automatic denial emails are making a lot more sense, right?
This is a frustrating realization, but there is also hope! Jobscan has created a tool to analyze your resume to see how well it matches up to the job description of the position you’re applying to. Some of these analyses include using the correct keywords, organizing your resume sections, best file formatting, and much more.
You can test out Jobscan for free to see how your current resume will rank for a specific job posting.
Create a template for the common information.
You most likely already know this, but filling out applications can become so freakin’ time-consuming! I want to hug the hiring managers that activate the one-click apply function, but alas, a majority of my applications want me to pretty much repeat what’s on my resume in addition to some other tidbits of information. This could include:
- Addresses of previous employment
- Explanation of leave
- Manager/Supervisor Referral contacts
- Education Breakdown
A huge time saver is to have this information ready in a Word document. Simply pull up the file when you need it and copy and paste your answers over. If you come across a new question, save it onto your template. This will save you so much time and allow you to get more applications in without burning out from stress!
Soft skills are your best friend.
In a world that is now heavily driven by technology, effective people skills are rising higher in demand. So, what exactly are “soft skills” anyway? According to Indeed.com, “soft skills are any skill or quality that can be classified as a personality trait or habit.” These skills include but aren’t limited to:
- Communication
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- View more soft skill examples here
No matter what business you decide to work for, it’s going to involve people, either with your customers or with your coworkers. When writing out your cover letter and resume, remember that many would rather work alongside someone that’s easy to get along with and is eager to learn than a skilled individual that’s a nightmare to be around.
Now let’s hear from you!
What are some tips and tricks that you’ve learned from the job search process? Do you have a helpful site that you recommend for job seekers? Please share your recommendations in the comments below.
Job searches can be stressful. Below are some resources that I hope helps out. For professional development books, please check out our Amazon Storefront for an ever-growing list of helpful reads.
And as always, remember to live life and learn from one story at a time!
Take care,
Kyndall Bennett from Kyrabe Stories
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