Applying for jobs can be a stressful experience. I think I can confidently say that most people would not argue this point. Needless to say, I think we can also admit that there are ways to make the process a little less painful. I’ve come up with eleven tips that I’ve personally found useful. Because I am fairly certain that you can empathize with my struggle, I’ve decided to share a few things that I’ve found to be useful.
1. Always have resumes on hand.
It is very unprofessional to walk in empty-handed, especially when an establishment is hiring on the spot. There is no harm in having 10 to 50 resumes on hand, especially if you are walking around a mall. Be prepared for a multitude of opportunities to interact with managers and supervisors that are responsible for overseeing the hiring process.
2. Don’t fret over the possibility of being shot down.
Worrying will only distract you from your mission. Apply to a plethora of places and be OK with working in a position that you feel might be beneath you. You will find a job. You can be picky once you actually start receiving offers. Until then, keep hustling.
3. Be honest.
It is always better to be honest before being hired! Don’t put yourself in a situation where you assume you will be able to learn along the way. Most employers do not appreciate this. They should be reasonable and more willing to assist you if they know your level of understanding.
4. Be thorough.
When filling out an application, double and triple check to ensure all of the information you have provided is accurate. Getting it right the first time will save you from a lot of confusion as you move forward in the application process. If a question trips you up, take note of it and ask the employer when speaking face-to-face or on the phone.
5. Ask questions if you don’t understand something!
If there is no job description listed, or it is brief, ask! I'm sure a current employee or manager would be more than happy to give you a lengthier, more detailed description than what you will find on a company website or job listing site.
6. Apply everywhere.
Nothing is beneath you. Don’t be picky, especially when you first start searching for a job. There is a time and a place for preferences. Start first.
7. Take a picture of an application you have already filled in.
Most employers ask the same questions. For example, keep handy a record of the lengths of previous employment, skill sets, past and current work history, personal information, and starting and ending date info.
8. Keep track of every position you’ve applied for.
By keeping a running tab of potential employers, you know who to follow up with. This is, of course, assuming you are taking as many opportunities as possible and refusing to be picky until job offers start streaming in.
9. Network.
It's not about what you know, it's about who you know.Bug the people in your life who have had jobs and been successful. Casually toss their name around if you apply somewhere they worked. This is huge.
10. Know your company's mission statement.
More importantly, see to it that they have one! Mission statements can be 1-5 lines long. These statements set a bar. Knowing how high that bar is set should impress employers. Don't merely pretend to be interested in the company.
11. Finally, dress for success.
Maybe this is overstated, maybe not. Dress in a way that shows you could start working today, without being worried about offending customers.
Hopefully, you find these tips useful. I am so thankful that I learned these lessons early on in the job hunting game. I know they will come in handy later, and I'm sure you wouldn't mind having these to pull out of your back pocket too.
