If you're in the market for jobs, then you must have heard about how you need to send your 'resume' to a potential employer, or to apply for a job before a set date.
The words resume and job application are thrown around a lot, and for some, their difference isn't obvious. Although both are tools to win over employers, they have different purposes. A job application requires you to be very self-focused; it asks lots of personal questions that pertain only to you.
A resume is much more focused on what kind of work experience you've got and how well these experiences match up with the position being applied for. It also can include some personal information such as your education history or achievements.
However, if you don't put in enough effort to tailor your resume to each individual position, then it will not mean anything. Yours might even hurt your chances by coming off too generic.
Job application process gets you answers
Many people use the term resume when what they are referring to is actually a job application. Technically, a resume is just a document that contains information about you as a person including where you went to school, past jobs, and anything else that may relate to who you are as a person.
That is not what most people refer to when they talk about a resume. Rather, they think of it as a tool to win over employers. A good way to eliminate this confusion is to stop using the word resume altogether.
Online presence
Even though it may feel like there is no difference between making a job application and creating a resume, they are actually different documents that aim to showcase your career and employment history!
Making a job application requires more structured forms than writing about yourself for an online profile does. A lot of employers will not accept applications that do not have all of their required information gathered in a structured way.
This includes things such as proof of income, proof of residence, and sometimes even legal identification. Many times employers will require this within just few days of being offered a position.
For this reason, it is important to make sure you have taken time to create a strong online presence. This can be done through social media sites, personal blogs, and professional LinkedIn profiles.
Job applications
When you apply to a position, your application should be full of consistency. This means having your resume match the job description, using appropriate language, and including all required components. For example, if the position listed experience in marketing as a requirement, then you should include examples of marketing done well in your career.
You do not need to include every detail about your past experiences, but making sure that everything is clearly related to marketing and posting quality content are important components!
Keep in mind that most employers will already have some information about the company from sources such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram. Make sure to include this material in your applications.
Resumes need contact info
Now that you have done some serious resume editing, it is time to make yourself look good! As seen before, one of the most difficult things for employers are interviews. Most job applicants do not seem very interested in meeting with them.
When an interview has been arranged, the applicant does not show up. Or they show up but cannot be contacted by the employer. This cuts down on potential employment opportunities for the company.
If this happens to you, there is something you can do. Give your phone number and email address so people can get a hold of you. This way, other candidates will know how to reach you if a position opens up at their workplace.
By being accessible, you increase your chances of getting hired. Employers like having direct communication channels with employees.
Resumes create good first impressions
Your resume is a very important tool for landing employment opportunities. But what makes a great resume depends on the job you're seeking.
A well-crafted career profile or personal statement can help set you apart from the competition and make it more likely that someone will give you their time to read your application.
So how do you create such a strong introduction? By emphasizing your skills and achievements, expressing interest in the position, and establishing clear messages about who you are as a person.
Your cover letter should be short and focused on one main message.
Read the company website
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that a job application is just like applying to a college or university. It is not! When you are looking for employment, there is another term that can be used instead of “application” — it is called a "contest." A contest-style application means going through a process that does not have a cover letter as its first step.
Instead, most companies ask if you are willing to apply directly via their website or by filling out an online form. This way, they do not need to spend time writing a formal introduction because they get your name and contact information automatically when you apply.
By skipping the cover letter, however, you may lose some points in terms of being considered for the position. Companies want to know more about you and what made you interested in their organization before they will give you a chance.
Make sure to proofread
While most professional employers will not scrutinize your past life, they will look at your resume to see if there are any warning signs or patterns that suggest poor job performance or potential issues. For example, if your career is full of positions that all seem the same- very corporate- then this may be seen as lack of variety in what types of jobs you like and how well you perform different tasks.
If everything on your resume is either overly dramatic or completely false then this can hurt your chances seriously. Even though it’s unlikely that these things would prevent someone from hiring you, it sets a negative tone for you and could scare away some prospective employers.
