The job search process is an endless process. I was enjoying my employed status so much, that I took it all for granted. Once I had the job, I put all the good networking skills I used to get the job in the dark recesses of my mind. Last week you read about how I tried to get myself back into the job scene by seeing what the job market was like. I performed regional searches, industry searches, field searches, and just about anything I could to find the jobs that I wanted. After that, I began digging up old references (and contacting new ones) and revamping my work history to make it current. As I said last week, that was the easy part. The hard part was sitting down with my life organzied and getting noticed by the best employers.
Nowadays, the job application process is completely electronic. I found few companies that required work sent by regular mail or wanted you to call them for more information. It was fill out their format application, sometimes questionnaire, and hope for the best. But it's hard to stand out with a format application and resume alone. When I started filling out job applications online I felt a bit incomplete when I hit the send button. I worked hard on my resume, but it's even harder to give a detailed, thorough view of your work history on two pages.
Solution: even if companies do not require a cover letter, I tend to send one anyway. Normally, the option is always available. It does take up more time. However, the goal is not to apply for every job out there. The goal is to find that specific job you are looking for, and others like it.
With that said, I admit that it has still been a confusing process. Some applications have you upload your resume and then the system manipulates it. This has led me to abandon my job search for the day more than once.
Solution: if you have an option copy or paste it. That is my experience. After all, it's all electronic anyway. They are just words, it doesn't matter what fonts are used.
Another annoying practice is account creation. Say you are on a wonderful job searching site, like retail jobs for example, and you create a free account, upload your resume, and create a profile. Well, some jobs require you to create another profile in their company's system. You have to create yet another username, password, and answer a ton of personal questions.
Solution: what helps me is to create some order within the maze of applications. I have a notebook just for usernames and passwords in a secure place. So if I want to check the status of an application, then I have stress-free access to my account details.
BONUS: Many companies have multiple job listings that may be of interest and you can apply for them all directly from the company's site. Or, once you upload (or copy and paste) your resume into their database they automatically see if there are future jobs you may qualify for. How great is that? You may get a job offer with no extra effort on your part.
In short, be diligent and organized and this process will continue to go smoothly. However, I'm realistic, there are times when I just want to give up! Yet, I persevere, which I'll tell you all about next week.
By: Samantha Taylor
Samantha is a Boston, Massachusetts native. Her studies have taken her from Ohio to England, where she lived for two years. Currently, Samantha lives in Andalucía, Spain, with her husband. She is a writer for Nexxt and contributes to one of its many blogs: retailgig
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