11 Steps Job Seekers Should Take Before Applying for a Job

11 Steps Job Seekers Should Take Before Applying for a Job11 Steps Job Seekers Should Take Before Applying for a JobYou spot aposting for a job youre interested in. It fits perfectly with your background, skills, and experience. You feel a rush of excitement and jump at the opportunity to start applying for a job. You quickly submit your resume and applicationand check your schmelzglas and voicemail inboxes obsessively for the next few weeks.And you wait. And wait. And wait. Until you realize, youre not going to get that call.You think to yourself, but I was so perfect for that job And maybe you were. But you moved too quickly and didnt take the necessary steps before submitting your application.To avoid ever finding yourself in this ort (again), take these 11 steps before applying for a job1. Proofread your resume and cover letter (over and over again).Dont just read it on your computer once and send it off. Print it out and read it. Then read it again. Then ask a friend or family m ember to give it a look.Check spacing, grammar, punctuation, and layout. Ask yourself Does everything make sense? Do I use too many buzzwords? Did I only include relevant experience? Do I repeat too many phrases?If it reads well and looks clean, move on to step two.2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job at hand.Your resume might be perfect- but not necessarily perfect forthis job.A resume with nice formatting and no typos will only get you so far. If youre missing relevant experience or lack some crucial keywords from the job posting, your application might not make it through the companys resume tracking system.Tweak your resume and cover letter for every job you apply to3.Re-read the job posting multiple times.Assuming you read the job posting a few times before you started working on your resume, go back and read it again, and ask yourself Did Ireally provide the most relevant information in myapplication materials? What did Imiss or could Iadd?Re-reading the job descr iption before submitting that application can help fine-tune the final package with important pieces that could get you the interview.Focus on accomplishments that speak to the job description, says Bruce A. Hurwitz, Ph.D., an Executive Recruiter and Career Counselor with Hurwitz Strategic Staffing. You need to reassure the employer that you are not a risk by letting them know what you have done for other employers so that they will know what you can do for them.4. Spellcheck your LinkedIn profile, not just your resume.If I had a dollar for every spelling error I saw on a LinkedIn profile, I would be a rich woman, says Christy Hopkins, President of 4 Point Consulting, an HR consulting and recruiting firm. Everyone knows to spellcheck their resume, but for gosh sakes, do so on your LinkedIn profile. Employers will look it up.5. Audit your LinkedIn profile.Your LinkedIn profile is like a second resume. And its not limited by space, so prospective employers will usually read through yo ur LinkedIn profile after they have read your resume if there is a fitor interest. So, update your experience, professional qualifications, certifications, and any other related pieces. Add any images that can show those certifications or awards. LinkedIn is visual- employers scan it, so any documentation of success will stand out.6. Clean up yoursocial media profiles.Ideally, you have nothing to worry about on your Facebook, Twitter, or other social media pages. But to be sure, audit your profiles and make sureyou present yourself in the best way possible. Anything negative, unprofessional, or potentially illegal? Use your best judgment, or err on the side of caution and remove those posts or images. (Sure, once theyre on the internet they live there forever. But no need to display anything blatantly inappropriate right on your profile page)7. Print out a copy of the job posting.If the job posting is taken down, will you really remember everything about the opportunity? Doubtful. T hen, when youre called to discuss your application you may not remember applying to the role or the details from the job advertisement, points out Tiffany Gibson, a talent acquisition specialist and creator of Get the Job app, a free app that helps job seekers prepare for practically every question or scenario presented before or during the job interview process.8. Check your network.Before applying for a job, research the company on LinkedIn and find out if you have any connections at the company, or if any of your connections are connected to current or former employees.This can help you get direct contact info for the hiring manager or more information about the position. If you have a friend or professional colleague at the company, even better- and check to see if the company has a referral program. Employers often welcome referrals and sometimes prioritize them when calling in candidates for interviews.9. Customize your email and subject line.If you have a direct contact at th e company or are applying via email, dont assume the person on the other end knows why you are emailing them. Make sure your email subject line includes the title of the job posting or a reference number that clearly shows you are applying for the job, says Sheila Musgrove, CEO and Founder of TAG Recruitment Group and Author of Hired How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.A subject line like this would be appropriate Job application Job 12345 Sales Manager at XYZ Company. Without a subject line, I have no idea what role you might be applying for and further, I have no idea if you can even construct a sentence, says Musgrove. Applying via email should be treated as a formal piece of business communication.10. Submit all files exactly as requested.Read the application instructions very carefully.If the application asks for a resume in PDF format, dont send it in a word document. If it asks for a cover letter, dont just send a resume. Read every last detail and follow instructions closely. Dont get eliminated immediately after hitting submit because you didnt follow directions.11. Imagine yourself working at this job.Before you go through all the trouble of applying for a job, make sure its something you really, truly want.Ask yourselfWhat is the commute like?Is this a company I admire or would be proud to be part of?Do I really want to work in the city where the job is located?Is the job a steppingstone or a temporary fix?Could I see myself working here, in this job?Think through every scenario. The job may be attractive, but if youre looking for a remote role, for instance, and it doesnt mentionanything about the option to telecommute, would you be okay with that?Be realistic and honest with yourself.If you decide it may not be the right fit, dont waste your time or theirs. Move on and put your energy elsewhere.Applying for a job takes time and effort. Dont waste all that time and effort by getting careless when submitting that applicat ion. Follow these job search tips to stay on top, and stand out in a crowded field of applicants.Start Your Job Search