How to Get a Job – Step 3: Apply
STEP THREE | APPLY
The best thing to do when applying for jobs is to just get started. Try to work on only one application at a time so you don’t confuse yourself. Set a goal to apply to three jobs a day, which will help you from slacking off or trying to work on too many applications.
Creating Your Application Materials
When applying, fill out your resume first and then write your cover letter, referring back to positions mentioned in your resume. Send your documents as a PDF so the formatting holds from computer to computer.
Emailing Your Materials
Long gone are the days when you need to physically hand in your application. The best way to format an email to a hiring manager would be as follows:
Subject: {Name of Position} Job Application
Dear Hiring Manager (or name of person if you can find it),
I recently found the description for the {Name of Position} with {Organization Name} on {name of website you found it}. I would love to meet with you and discuss this position further. I have attached my resume, cover letter, and references to this email.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
{Your Name}
{Your Phone Number}
Some how-to guides say to include your cover letter in the body of the email, while some say to attach it. It’s best to create a folder that included all of your attachments so they could print them out, so including your cover letter as an attachment is a good idea.
Create A Tracking Spreadsheet
Once you’ve started applying to jobs, make an excel spreadsheet to track the jobs you’ve applied to. This makes it a lot easier to follow up later and see how long ago you actually applied. And remember to save all of your final application materials in the Applications folder mentioned earlier.
Done and dusted! Go to Step 4
Have a look at the entire series of how to get a job:
How to get a job – Step 1: Get Organised
How to get a job – Step 2: Search for jobs
How to get a job – Step 3: Apply
How to get a job – Step 4: Don’t get discouraged
How to get a job – Step 5: The interview / Land your perfect job with these interview Q&A
How to get a job – Step 6: Follow up
How to get a job – Step 7: Accept the job