Getting hired for a new job is a cause for celebration, but how do you get there? Applying for jobs requires time, attention, and a little legwork, but in most cases, the process is straightforward and can lead to exciting new opportunities for your career and life.
This guide reviews the materials job-seekers need for applications and the steps to take when applying for a job. It also includes tips for job hunters to help them put their best foot forward and land their dream job.
What You Need for a Job Application
Although each job application may have unique requirements, generally speaking, there are a few common components that every applicant must submit. These components include:
- Cover letter: This document serves as an introduction of yourself and your resume to potential employers. A strong cover letter is brief (one-page maximum) and complements your resume by summarizing your professional background and accomplishments, providing specific examples of your interest in the company and suitability for the position, and sparking the hiring manager’s interest in reading your resume.
- Resume or CV: A resume is a snapshot of an individual’s professional and educational background that demonstrates to potential employers what qualifications and qualities they have regarding a specific job. It focuses on key experiences, achievements, and skills relevant to the position they’re seeking.
Resumes are used for most professions, while a curriculum vitae, or CV, is more common in academic, legal, or medical job applications. A CV is a detailed document that emphasizes an individual’s educational and research background, with information about work experience, publications, presentations, grants, special achievements, and more.
Unless you are applying for positions in academia, law, or medicine, you will rely on a resume as a job application document.
- Application form: Most employers also ask applicants to complete a company-specific application, either electronically or on paper. While this application may request some of the same information that’s on your resume, such as work history and educational background, it may also ask questions about scheduling availability, specific skills, or other necessary information.
- Professional credentials: Some professions, such as nursing, require a professional license to practice. When applying for these types of jobs, individuals usually must provide proof of their active license to qualify.
- Portfolio or work samples: Individuals who are applying for jobs in creative fields may be asked to provide a portfolio or samples of their work. This allows the employer to evaluate the applicant’s abilities and style, so they can ensure it aligns with the vision and goals of the project and role they’re being considered for.
How to Apply for a Job
Find job opportunities in your field
The first step in applying for a job is finding jobs you want to apply. There are a multitude of ways to do this, including:
- Online job listing sites: Sites like Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor are good places to start your job search, as they are used by a vast number of employers in all types of industries. They also have a variety of filters that allow job-seekers to sort through opportunities by location, company, and type of job.
- Company websites: If there is a particular company or organization you’re interested in working for, visit its website. Most companies have a section where they list open positions. You may even be able to apply directly through the website.
- Social media: This has become an increasingly popular platform for companies to advertise open positions. Many groups, particularly in industries that rely on freelance or part-time workers, allow members to post about available opportunities. However, because social media is less regulated than formal job posting sites, job-seekers should always verify the legitimacy of any job opportunities they see posted on a social media platform.
- Networking: When it comes to job-hunting, the adage “It’s not what you know but who you know” holds true. Leveraging your network is an essential way to find new job opportunities. Whether you’re actively seeking a new job or just open to hearing about available opportunities, letting your contacts know about your intentions can help them pass relevant information your way. Many jobs are found through word-of-mouth, and knowing someone at a company who can put in a good word for you can be very helpful in scoring an interview or getting hired.
- Look for “Help Wanted” or “We’re Hiring” signs: This is an option for those primarily looking for retail or service industry jobs. Many of these businesses will post signs at the location that they’re looking for workers. You may also have the chance to speak to the manager and get more information or express your interest on the spot.
- Connect with recruiters: Sometimes, the job finds you. Having an engaging, up-to-date profile on sites like LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter can help recruiters find you for jobs for which you’re qualified.
Research companies
Before applying, you’ll want to research the company and the position that interests you to confirm that it’s a good fit. Also, read the job description and company profile closely to find specifics that you can reference in your resume and cover letter.
There are numerous ways to learn more about companies you’re considering working for. You can start by visiting their website and following them on social media. Reading any available news or press coverage of a company can provide a more objective perspective, and many job posting sites, like Glassdoor, have company reviews written by current and former employees. You can also speak to individuals in your network who work for or are familiar with the business. If it’s a business that has a brick-and-mortar location that’s open to the public, such as a restaurant or retail store, visit to get a sense of what their operations and company culture are like.
Prepare your resume and cover letter
Once you’ve determined that the company and position are a good fit, update your resume and cover letter to tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for. Read the job posting carefully, as this will provide insight into keywords and information you should include on your resume to pass through the company’s applicant tracking system (ATS) software.
This is also a good time to add any new, relevant information to your resume and cover letter, including updating your job responsibilities and noting any new professional certifications you’ve completed.
Review the application instructions to confirm that you need to submit a cover letter, as not all job applications require this. If it does, make sure you are expressing why you’re interested in this specific role and company. Your application is more likely to make it through initial rounds of screening if your resume and cover letter are distinct and detailed about why you’re interested in this particular opportunity.
Complete online or paper applications
Most jobs require a formal application document, which job-seekers must complete, either online or on paper. While this may include some of the same information as your resume, like your work history, it may also include other relevant information, like your availability, start date, or questions about your demographic.
If you’re applying for a job online, there should be instructions for submitting your resume and cover letter along with the application itself. Follow these instructions carefully — for example, some websites allow you to upload a resume and cover letter, while others ask for applicants to send these materials via email. Pay attention to format as well, such as a PDF versus a Word document.
If you’re submitting an application in person, attach printed versions of your resume and cover letter. Be sure you’re presenting yourself professionally when submitting an application to a potential employer in person.
Follow up on your application
Depending on the number of applicants a company receives for a position, it can take a few days to a few weeks for you to get a response. Finding the right time to follow up can be tricky, as you want to make your interest in a job clear without being pushy or impatient. If the online application portal provides you with information on your application status, use that as a guide for when you should reach out. Two to three weeks is typically a good timeframe for sending a brief, polite follow-up email ensuring that they received all your application materials and expressing your interest in the position.
While not required, if you happen to obtain another job while waiting to hear back on an application, you can contact the other companies you’ve applied to and withdraw your application as a professional courtesy.
Helpful Tips for Job Applicants
Here are some additional tips that can help you prepare for the job application process.
Review your social media accounts
Hiring managers will likely review your online and social media presence, especially if you’re being seriously considered for the position. Make sure that your social media accounts demonstrate professionalism and are free of content that may make employers hesitant to hire you.
Notify your references
Potential employers likely won’t contact your references until the final step of the hiring process, but it’s a good idea to give your references a heads-up that they may be contacted. This ensures they’re paying attention to phone calls from unfamiliar numbers and gives them an opportunity to prepare to speak about you and your qualifications.
Prepare for interviews
The research you do in preparation for submitting an application can also help you prepare for your interview. Understanding the job description helps familiarize you with the types of questions the hiring manager may ask you in the interview. Reflect on your experiences and achievements so they’re top of mind, and have someone ask you standard interview questions so you can rehearse and refine your answers. Also, think about aspects of the job or company you want to know more about so you have questions prepared. Asking questions of your potential employer is a key way to show that you’re interested and engaged, which can help you during the interview process. Make sure you have an interview attire that’s appropriate for the type of job you’re seeking.
Enhance your resume
If your job search has been unsuccessful, or you’re seeing a lot of job postings for which you’re not quite qualified, you may want to consider ways to enhance your resume. This can include earning certifications in skill areas relevant to the jobs you’re seeking. Certifications can be an easier way to give your resume a boost than completing a formal degree program, and many are available online for free. You can also seek out volunteer opportunities that will allow you to develop new skills. Another option is to review the format of your resume and determine if there is a different way to structure it to better demonstrate your experiences and abilities.