What if landing your dream job was easier than you ever thought?
For some workers, the job interview isn’t the hard part. Instead, the most challenging part is writing the kind of application that gets them an interview in the first place.
That’s why we put together this guide to application tricks to help you land that job you’ve been dreaming of. Keep reading to discover tips that will forever change how you apply to different jobs!
Speak the Right Language
One quality that employers are often looking for is what’s known as a “culture fit.” That’s a way of saying they want to hire the kind of person who will be a good fit for the team they already have in place.
You can demonstrate that you are a good culture fit by speaking the company’s language on the job application. This means going to the company’s website, including areas like the “About Us” section, and identifying important vocabulary.
For example, if the company website emphasizes how important service to the community is, you should use similar language in your application to know you share their priorities. And if the company uses an applicant tracking system to screen for certain keywords, this helps your application stay near the top of the list.
Read the Instructions Carefully
This may sound simple, but one of the most important things is to read the entire job description and instructions before applying. You’d be amazed at how many would-be workers start applying without doing this!
The instructions may tell you to attach a separate cover letter or maybe attach some letters of recommendation. In some cases, there may even be strange instructions like including an odd word or phrase as part of your application.
Why would companies do this? It’s simple: They want to weed out anyone who clearly didn’t read the full instructions. Just make sure you’re not one of the people who gets weeded out!
Give Yourself Enough Time to Do a Good Job
There is one quality that almost every well-written job application has. And that quality is this: The applicant took the time to really focus on the application!
It may be tempting to quickly fill out a job application before dropping your children off at school or while on a lunch break for your existing job. But if you rush through an application, you might miss important instructions, make some grammatical errors, and just generally do a poor job.
If you really are applying to a dream job, then this is the kind of job you’ve waited your whole life for. Make sure to set enough time aside so that you can get it done the right way!
Show Off Your Writing Skills
For a really good job, an employer is going to get a lot of applications. When this happens, you need to do more than write a decent application. You also need to find a way to stand out from the rest of the applicants.
One way to do so is to write a brief article about the industry you want to work in. Not only will this help you stand out (very few applicants will go the extra mile like this), but demonstrating your industrial knowledge may mark you as a future leader for the company you wish to work for.
Write Cover Letters and Make Them Unique
Not every job requests a cover letter, but we always recommend writing one. That is because the cover letter gives you far more opportunities to showcase why you are a good potential employee. Additionally, a cover letter gives you the opportunity to provide additional context for your work history and other aspects of the application.
However, don’t make the rookie mistake of sending the same cover letter to every employer. Instead, take the time to customize each letter and show how much you know about the company and the relevant industry. This is also the perfect time to include some of the company’s preferred language and further showcase that you speak their language.
Use Verbs That Showcase Your Abilities
Aside from the cover letter, job applications are usually short and to the point. For example, you will be asked very specific questions and must provide short, to-the-point information about your previous work history.
One of the best ways to stand out from other applicants is to describe what you did at previous jobs using very specific action verbs. For example, words like “delivered,” and “transformed,” and “organized” help you quickly describe what you did while shining a spotlight on what you did for the company.
Talk About Specific Outcomes
The next bit of advice is easier said than done. But if you can master this skill, you will stand out in all future job applications! And this is the skill: You need to discuss the specific outcomes you created at previous jobs, and you should use specific numbers whenever possible.
Here’s an example: It’s one thing to mention that you worked in sales for a previous job. But a description like “transformed the sales team with innovative strategies and personally increased overall sales by 25%” quickly tells a potential employer what you are capable of doing.
Of course, you can’t add these details if you don’t know what they are. Try to keep track of your performance at work because you never know when the little details will help you land a dream job.
Clean Up Your Social Media
Our final tip is short and sweet: We recommend either cleaning up your different social media profiles or making sure that only friends can view your online content.
Even if it’s not an official part of the application process, many would-be employers will browse your social media profiles. And if they encounter any seriously controversial comments or posts, it can affect your ability to get the job done.
We recommend cleaning things up and keeping everything professional. Also, this is a good time to start your own LinkedIn account, as this form of social media will help you network with other people and potentially discover the job you’ve been dreaming of.
Apply to Your Dream Job Today
Now you know some of the best application tricks to help you land your dream job. But what if you could apply to your dream job today?
Here at Confie MX, we are always looking to recruit the best and brightest workers. To see what the workplace of your dreams looks like, come apply today!