My job often requires that I review applications. I have spent the better part of the morning looking over countless resumes/applications. It has come to my attention that people don’t know the proper application procedure, or maybe they just don’t care. The application is your foot in the door to your dream job, or the job on the way to the job that may lead to your dream job. Either way, you want to make sure that whoever is reviewing it doesn’t just toss it aside because you failed to really put any time or energy into it.

Trust me, I know how tedious and time-consuming it can be to fill out applications and submit resumes. I’ve been there. Each company has its own process and/or program. I get it but you need to change the way you think about applying for a job. It is not done on a whim or quickly while dinner is cooking. Applying for jobs is at least a part-time job in and of itself. You must treat it that way.

First, make sure you use correct capitalization. No one wants to read an application done in ALL CAPS or all lowercase. All caps makes it feel like you are “yelling” while all lowercase seems lazy, like you can’t be bothered to use the shift key.

Second, try to use some punctuation. No one ever said that you had to write a job description in full sentences but please use commas or periods to separate the different tasks.

I cannot stress this one enough: PROOF READ! And yes, I yelled at you there. I have seen so many applications with spelling errors, missing letters/words and wrong words (ex four instead of for). Just read over your application before you submit it. Or have someone else look it over for you. People reviewing applications think that your lack of proof reading shows your inability to pay attention to details or that you just don’t care and your application ends up in the circular bin.

If a company makes you fill out an application, fill it out completely. This means you need to enter all relevant information, jobs and references. Do not put “see resume”, especially if you don’t put that information on your resume. Doh! Companies want an application for many reasons. It will standardize the process, gets similar information from all applicants and companies don’t always look over that resume you attached. Sometimes the hiring people may never even see that resume (note: Always a good idea to bring extra copies of your resume to an interview for just this reason).

Also, many times an application is reviewed by a computer program before it ever even gets to a person. If you don’t fill out the application, you may never make it past the program. The program is set to look for key words. If those words are not in your application, the program will kick you out of the process.

When you are filling out an application, please do no overstate the obvious. For example, if you speak more than one language say “bilingual” or “fluent in English and Spanish”. There is no need to put “bilingual - fluently”. Bilingual means you can speak two languages.

Lastly, don’t oversell yourself on an application or resume.Those of us reviewing an application think you are full of shit. I once had an application where a person wrote all of their good qualities in a job description space. I had no idea what she actually did but I knew what she thought about herself. We don’t care, at this point, what you think are your greatest traits. We want to know what you did at that job.

On the other hand, make sure you include an objective. This is where you tell the company what you are looking for. An example: To find a position that allows me to learn and grow in my area of interest, in a company that I can advance in. Obviously you would tailor this to fit the job/company you want. Put this on your resume. If the application has an objection or reason for applying, fill it out! Show them you want the job.

With the job market still being difficult to find a job, you need to put some effort into it. You are not the only one applying. Some jobs receive hundreds of applications. How are you going to get noticed? You need to almost customize each application and resume for each job. If you currently have a job and are looking, set aside an hour or two each night just to apply for jobs. The time you take to really make sure your application is correct will help you find your dream job/right company in the long run.
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