There are many different things you need to do before sending in your application—they can greatly impact your chances of getting hired. To learn more about what to do before applying for a job, continue reading.
Research the company
Applying for a job before thoroughly researching the company is a waste of your time and that of the hiring managers. Before applying, you should make sure the position would be a good fit for you.
To do so, take a good look at the company’s website and gather any information you can through reviews about the company from current or past employees.
Then, use the information you’ve learned to tailor your résumé and cover letter to the specific position and company you’re applying for.
A generic application will likely get lost in the shuffle without a second glance. If you manage to get an interview despite failing to take this crucial step in the application process, you’ll probably experience some awkwardness when the interviewer realizes you have little to no knowledge about the company.
Perfect your résumé
A recruiter often dedicates just a few seconds of their attention to a résumé before moving on to the next one. As such, it’s important to format your résumé in a way that’s easy to read and that effectively highlights your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Your résumé should also be free of any errors, as small spelling or grammar mistakes can cause the recruiter to immediately toss your résumé in the trash.
Craft a quality cover letter
In many cases, employers will spend more time looking at your cover letter than your résumé. As such, it’s important to make a good impression. Your cover letter shouldn’t simply reiterate the information on your résumé. This is your opportunity to talk about what sets you apart from other candidates, why you want this specific job, and, most of all, why they should hire you.
Acquire a letter of recommendation
Another document you may need to acquire before applying for a job is a letter of recommendation. This helps an employer gain a better understanding of your skills, abilities, and work ethic based on the opinion of a trusted source.
A letter of recommendation can have a large influence on the recruiter’s decision to call you in for an interview and eventually hire you. To give yourself the best chance of receiving a glowing letter of recommendation, make sure to ask someone who has seen you exemplify the characteristics the job requires. Give them plenty of time to write it, and make the writing process as quick and easy as possible for them.
other valuable tips:
Tidy up your social media accounts
Many hiring managers will look at your social media accounts before deciding to hire you. As such, it’s a good idea to delete any photos or posts that a recruiter could interpret as inappropriate. In addition to deleting content that doesn’t make you appear as the ideal candidate, you should also consider adding some content to your LinkedIn profile. Ideally, your profile should be detailed and updated with all your relevant information to give you the best chance at landing the job.
Image Credit: applying for a job by Pixabay
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