Getting the Job You Want

Note: This is part one of a two part series. Part one is about everything up to the interview, while part two talks about the interview itself.

The Application Process

The first step in getting any new job used to be the hardest for me. There was something about putting all of my life accomplishments out there for a company to judge that made me feel inadequate, and I hated it. Which brings me to my first point:

Apply, no matter how inadequate the job description makes you feel. I did not apply myself at all my first year of college, so applying to internships my sophomore year was terrible. I knew I was smart, but my GPA stunk and I had nothing to show how intelligent I was. I realized though, and this has proven to be especially true with internships because of their learning experience nature, that as long as you come off eager to learn and as someone that will dedicate themselves to a goal, you can still get that job. Employers are more forgiving than you think, especially if you have confidence in your abilities and you are willing to work hard and pick up new skills quickly.

Apply anywhere and everywhere. Why limit yourself to one opportunity? This can be a great confidence booster, knowing that you already nailed one job and now you are just looking for a better one. It completely turns the tables. When I know that I have a job if I want it, and then have more interviews still lined up, it almost makes me feel like the employer is auditioning for me, and that they have something to prove to make me want to work at their company. You come off as somebody that people want. Plus, it is great to be able to say “well, this company is offering me $xxx” when they ask what kind of salary you’re looking for. Also, even if you haven’t already bagged a job, there is something very comforting in knowing there is always tomorrow’s interview.
Tip: Try to schedule the interviews you feel more qualified for and comfortable about before the tougher ones. This will put you in the position I talked about above, give you a boost of confidence visible to employers, and make you more comfortable with the interview process.

Submit a resume and cover letter that is short and to the point. Recruiters and employers get tons and tons of applications, especially to online job postings. Long, drawn out cover letters detailing your life story are going to bore the person reading it. Your cover letter, unless otherwise indicated, needs to simply state why you feel qualified for the position and how you feel you could help the company. You may also want to say how excited you are about the opportunity and how eager you are to hear back from them. Resumes should be the same way; don’t add every activity you did in high school, what you wore in the fifth grade Halloween parade, and what you did in the senior talent show. Employers only care and want to hear about skills and experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. Anything extra can seem like filler to a recruiter.
Tip: As a general guideline, try to keep your resume under one page. If you have to go over make sure it’s absolutely necessary. Include a header with your name, address, telephone, and email. Higher Education, related skills and related work experience, along with any related projects should also be included. Related is the key word in all of these sections!