If you’ve been in the market for a job, you understand how much time and energy it takes to submit even one application with your resume and cover letter.
Not only do you have to answer different questions for each job, but you’ll also have to customize your cover letter for each job. If it’s a different industry, you may even have to customize your resume too. It’s a lot of work!
So, when you apply for jobs online, you’re going to want to make the most of the process. First, you’re going to want to vet the company. There are a variety of things you should look into, but a few key things to research are the company’s values, product/service, culture, and history, amongst many others. Second, you’ll want to check your resume and application for any errors or missing information.
After all your hard work filling out these applications, you don’t want your resume tossed aside for a silly error.
Here’s what you need to look for when applying for jobs online.
1. Company reputation
There are often benefits to working for a startup, but that’s only true because there are many risks. Startup employers understand they need to make their jobs more enticing with higher salaries, work from home positions and/or enhanced benefits. But before you apply to a startup, understand that these jobs don’t typically offer as much job security as a position with a more established company.
And if you’re dealing with a more established company, you can also research the company to find out what it’s like to work there. You may want to start your search on a site like Glassdoor where former employees anonymously review the companies they’ve worked for.
2. Opportunity for growth
The company’s size can give you an indication of whether there may be opportunities for growth. In very large corporations, you may find that although there are opportunities, it can take a very long time to climb the corporate ladder. And if you’re young, it may seem like an eternity to reach the top, but there are ways for millennials to climb up the ladder and attain success, with some hard work and some prudent decisions.
On the other hand, small companies may offer more opportunities for growth, but this will depend on the company’s growth overall. So, if the company does well, you may be able to grow with them. If not, you may find limited growth potential.
3. Gaps in your own story
Once you find the perfect job to apply to, you might want to double-check your resume and application. Try to look at it with a fresh perspective. And if you have trouble doing that, ask a friend to check it out for you. You’re going to want to look for things like spelling and grammatical errors, gaps in the resume and any unnecessary info that may be diluting your message.
If you do have an employment gap, be sure to explain this in your cover letter or on the resume itself. Employment gaps can be understandable under certain circumstances, but they can also be major red flags. If your gap’s longer than about a month or so, be sure you’re ready to have a good explanation to put your potential new employer at ease.
It’s easier than ever to apply for jobs online, but it still consumes your time and energy. So, be sure you’re making the most out of every application by following the tips on this list. Your targeted applications will make more of an impression this way.
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