How to File a Job Application
The secret of financial success starts with a well-thought-out job application. To get that perfect job in the world of big business, your application should immediately get the attention of your prospective employer. Filing the perfect job application is easy, provided you keep these tips in mind.
Build Your Resume
The dream job always starts with a well-designed and well-written resume. Resume templates and designs are available from office suites like Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or iWork. You can also design a customized or personalized resume on your own.
Keep in mind that even the most sophisticated and professional-looking resumes will not secure you a job interview if they are not written well. When writing your resume, consider these tips:
Promote yourself. Write down all the relevant qualifications and strengths you have. Make sure that these skills are relevant to the job you’re planning to take. Think of the resume as your entry to the contest where your dream job is on the line. Ask yourself what the employer is most likely looking for in a prospective employee.
Be honest. Padding your resume doesn’t do you any good. Human resources and recruitment departments review resumes to determine one’s qualifications and competence in taking up a job. Don’t create any false credentials or skills that you cannot back up when the job calls for it.
Be concise. Unless absolutely necessary (like for a government position or a teaching post), the ideal length of a resume is two pages. Big companies and firms go through dozens of resumes in a day to fill up a vacancy, and don’t have the time to read resumes the length of a university term paper. Keep your resume brief, but it should inform your prospective employer very well about your background and skills.
Compile a Portfolio
Most jobs require a portfolio, or a sample of your previous work. For jobs in design, writing, or computer programming, a portfolio gives your prospective employer an idea of what you can do. A portfolio is usually sent together with the resume and the cover letter.
Portfolios are also the best way for an employer to determine your skills and talents. Here are some tips you should bear in mind when you submit a portfolio:
Give your best samples. It’s very hard to sift through your previous work to look for work samples that should belong to your portfolio. To make things easier, submit your favorite work.
Make unique samples. If you’re moving to another company, you may be prohibited from including work you made for them for a new portfolio. To avoid legal issues and lawsuits, always submit unique samples when a portfolio is required of you.
Submit relevant samples. Companies have little use for your singing talent or your dance routine. Neither would they have use for your poems if you’re applying for a programmer job, or your sculpture skills if you’re applying to be a graphic designer. Always submit samples of your work that are critical and important for the job you’re applying for.
Send a Cover Letter
Once you have completed your resume and compiled your portfolio, you need to make a cover letter. A cover letter is a short, one-page introduction about yourself, why you’re applying for the job, and why you think you’re fit for the position. To write an effective cover letter, you should:
Use formal business formatting (headers, margins, a reasonable font size, full-block letter formats).
Use the active voice to show your enthusiasm.
Explain briefly and succinctly your qualifications, qualities, and abilities. Remember that when you’re applying for a job, you are selling yourself.
Don’t beat around the bush. Get straight to the point when writing your cover letter. Some companies sometimes read only the cover letter, and hire employees on the basis of how well they have written them.
A job application is your ticket to financial freedom and personal fulfillment. With these tips to help you file your job application, the perfect job is within your reach.