Step 1: How To Apply For Jobs
Tip: Getting called in for interviews is a numbers game. The more you apply, the higher your chances are of getting called in for an interview.
Do you know what employment website offers the greatest results for job seekers to get called in for an interview? Don't worry, most people don't.
Follow all instructions on this page and the next.
Should I Use MS Word or PDF When Uploading My Resume to a Job Posting?
Microsoft Word (MS)
When you apply for a job online and upload your resume, make sure you upload your resume and cover letter in MS Word format. When you upload your resume to a job posting, it could go through a company's software system called Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). When this software receives your resume, it scans your document(s) to determine if you have the correct keywords and search phrases that the company is looking for in a candidate. If you uploaded your resume as a PDF, it may be more difficult for the software system to extract the information and could even reject your resume. This is why we strongly recommend uploading a copy of your resume and cover letter in MS Word versus PDF to job postings online.
If you are emailing your resume directly to a Hiring Manager, it is safe and recommended to send as a PDF version.
What Employment Websites Should I Use To Apply For Jobs?
The more employment websites you utilize to find jobs online, the better. However, we are seeing the best results through the following websites:
Federal Jobs:
If you are applying for federal jobs, make sure you have a Federal Resume.
City Jobs:
For job seekers that are seeking state jobs in Arizona.
Glassdoor:
Research a company or position within a company. Use Glassdoor to review what employees are saying about the organization. Glassdoor is great to research the salary you can expect to make.
Will Companies Research Me Online Through LinkedIn?
Most likely, YES!
LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site in the world. According to CareerBuilder.com, "A new survey found that 51 percent of employers who research job candidates on social media said they’ve found content that caused them to not hire the candidate".
Make sure your LinkedIn account is up to industry standards, is powerful, professional, and exhibits your greatest core competencies.
If you need assistance creating a Professional LinkedIn account that's Search Engine Optimized, let us know!
How Many Professional References Should I Provide on a Job Application?
Three - Five References
Employers are now, more than ever, doing additional background checks on a potential job seeker. An employer will want to call and possibly email between three to five of your references. Three of the five that you list should be former or current colleagues. The other two references can be church members or friends.
Note 1: It's estimated that approx. 71% of job candidates don't get called back for an interview because of something negative that a reference said about them.
Note 2: Current or former managers might not be allowed to be your reference due to a company's Human Resource policies. Speak to your references prior to listing them on your Professional Reference List or job application.
Topic's Covered on This Page?
1. Should you submit your resume in MS Word or PDF.
2. What employment websites should I use to apply for jobs?
3. Will companies research me online?
4. How many references should I have listed?
Apply, apply, apply
