Before you begin applying anywhere, it is important to create a compelling resume. An effective resume will be a major determinant in whether or not you get the job. Your resume is your first shot at grabbing the employer’s attention. It is the gateway to getting an interview for the position you are looking at.
Before you begin applying anywhere, it is important to create a compelling resume. An effective resume will be a major determinant in whether or not you get the job. Your resume is your first shot at grabbing the employer’s attention. It is the gateway to getting an interview for the position you are looking at.
We recommend that you set a quota of jobs that you apply to every day. This quota will depend on the industry you are in: if there are a lot of jobs in your industry, you could set a goal of applying to 10+ jobs per day; if there aren’t as many jobs in your industry, you could spend more time finetuning your resume or crafting a cover letter and only apply to 2+ jobs a day. The most important factor is that you keep applying to available jobs consistently.
If you haven’t already been doing so, following up on your job applications is something that will put you ahead of other applicants. You might be applying to jobs that you are very qualified for, but if you have not been showing initiative, you might be missing out on potential job opportunities. Let’s say you applied to a position and the applicant after you did the same AND gave the employer a follow up call or email. Who do you think will stand out and seem more dedicated to the employer?
Employers want to know that you are interested in their position and dedicated to moving forward with an interview. A week or two after submitting your application, give the employer a follow up call or send them an email. It makes a difference!
After submitting your resume and filling out applications, you should be prepared to receive a call back to schedule an interview. There are some important preliminary things that you should do to set yourself up for a successful interview.
- Research the employer. Be prepared for them to ask you if you have any questions about the company. While you might think common knowledge on what the company does is enough, it pays to be more prepared and to be knowledgeable on the company you are trying to score a job at.
- Dress professionally. You can never overdress when you are auditioning for employment. If you are unsure of what the dress should be for your interview, don’t be afraid to call the employer and ask!
- Be early. When a company is going through piles of resumes and lining up interviews, they are looking to narrow down their pool of applicants to the best candidates for the job. You do not want to give them any reasons to throw your application out. Additionally, punctuality during the interview is a reflection of how you will act during your employment. If an applicant cannot show up for their interview, how can an employer trust them to be present when they are truly needed?
Did you know that you have resources to assist you in your job search?
OhioMeansJobs – Allen County has a variety in services that can be used to assist you in your job search. We offer one-on-one assistance through our career consultants. The career consultants will help you will every step of the job searching process. They are familiar with the current avilable positions in Allen County, and they will be able to look at your work experience and find employers that would be a good fit for you. Additionally, They will assist with cover letter composition, resume writing, and mock interviewing.
OhioMeansJobs – Allen County also has resources to set you up with further education and training, workplace transportation, and so much more!