Many are mistaken when it comes to the job application process; it should be handled more quantitative than qualitative. No company is going to want to hire someone who applied to 500 jobs with the same resume, same reach out note, and did it blindly with zero brand knowledge. Maybe it is time to step up your game and go back to the basics in order to make yourself the shining star amongst the competition. What are you doing wrong? What are you doing right? Evaluate your current tactics and enhance it so that you can be successful in nailing your application process while submitting fewer applications!
Things you NEED to Consider:
LinkedIn Profile
Update your LinkedIn profile! Think about your profile picture… is it a current representation of you are (and want to be) in the workplace? I would hope it is and not a selfie of yourself, in your living room, from 5 years ago. Do you have anything written in your ‘About’ section? Consider writing a brief paragraph (or two) that summarizes your experience, intent, and background. Do you have any recommendations from current and past employers? Reaching out to past/current co-workers and manager scan be very beneficial in simply promoting yourself as more credible and greater at what you do. When it comes to your ‘Experience’ section, your experience should somewhat align with your resume but add a new light to it that shows what you’ve learned from previous experiences; not just the experiences blatantly stated. Last but not least, show that you are interested in relevant information on your LinkedIn feed that corresponds with your interests and industry. You can do this by liking, commenting, or resharing content which will then pop up on your ‘Activity’ section of your page.
Takeaway: Recruiters and hiring managers will look at LinkedIn profiles before even looking at resumes, so make sure to portray yourself as experienced and as credible as possible!
Resume and Initial Note to Potential Employer
When taking into consideration your resume and note to employer, it is important to make sure that everything is up to date and relevant. When applying for a specific position, tailor your resume and short note accordingly to emphasize your skills and qualifications that align with that position. Make these elements pop and be obvious to the eye if either document were to be skimmed.
Takeaway: This is where recruiters and hiring managers determine whether you are what they are looking for; let it make you, not break you.
Personal Brand
You are your own brand and brand image. Therefore your LinkedIn profile should exemplify who you are and who you aspire to be. Be your authentic self, engage in networking opportunities, and stay relevant with your skills… brand yourself!
Takeaway: Your personal brand image matters so show it n the way you would like it to be seen.
Manners
As strange as it sounds to tell grown-ups, manners are always important but even-more so when it comes to applying for jobs. Be polite, thoughtful, and timely. Follow up your interviews within 24 hours with thank you emails showing your interest. These emails are often important to sealing the deal because this is what sets you apart from your competition. If the position at stake is going to be offered to either you or someone who has a similar skill set, the one who sent a thank you email becomes the obvious choice. In the thank you email, consider noting a takeaway that you had a question or further interest in discussing from the interview. Make sure this follow-up note has important content, and not just “thank you for your time”.
Takeaway: It is important to be prompt, show your interviewer that you care, and show them why they should hire you over someone else.
By enhancing your resume, LinkedIn profile, personal brand, and manners you are taking advantage of the basics to distinguish yourself. These efforts will be recognized by hiring managers and/or recruiters and will be rewarded, trust me.
