Resources > FORWARD > Your Action Plan > Job Search > Job search strategies

Ready to apply for a position?

Job application tips and steps from a human resources veteran…

  1. Search Open Positions – Indeed, LinkedIn and other job sites offer search tool to help you find positions by location, title and key words.

  2. Choose a Job – most sites offer a ‘save job’ feature. Save everything that looks interesting.

  3. Pick the 2 – 3 jobs that seem like the best fit.

  4. Create a Resume – You can find samples on the internet and some search sites offer resume building tools.

    There are 2 basic styles, chronological and functional or skill based. If you have a lot of experience, try the functional style, it will help condense and highlight your expertise. If your most recent position is very similar to the one you are applying to, then go with a chronological resume as it will quickly show you have recent experience.

  5. Save Your Resume as “Resume Template day.month.year” or something that will help you remember this is your baseline resume.

Next

  1. Tailor Your Resume to the Open Position – Should be done for each position so that you highlight your most relevant expertise.

  2. Use the top 3 – 5 lines of resume text to highlight how your skills and experiences match the job posting.

  3. Think about what you would say if you had 30 seconds. Your resume reader will only give your resume 3 – 5 seconds.

  4. Rearrange your resume to match the position requirements. And remember, if you have lots of experience, consider organizing your resume functionally rather than chronologically.

  5. Your resume will be parsed by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). ATS’s search for words and phrases that match the position requirements. Use as many of the same words and phrases as you can while still being natural.

  6. Save each resume separately as “Company Name Resume day.month.year” or something that will help you remember the position you applied for. You will want to have it with it with you for interviews so you can remember the specifics and how you phrased it.

  7. Write a Cover Letter – It can be a short paragraph about why you are excited and a good fit. Mention what you bring that may make you unique from other applicants. *Yes, a cover letter IS IMPORTANT. Believe it or not, they are sometimes the first and/or only thing applicant screening people actually read.

  8. Apply! You will likely be applying in an electronic format that saves your information and inputs it into the ATS. And you will probably get a Thank You email after your application is successfully saved. However, if you are not a fit, you may not hear anything else. Don’t be disappointed.

14. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!