Title:Before You Apply: Answer 4 Important Questions
Author:Susan Joyce
Date:June 2013
Source:workcoachcafe.com
In this very competitive job market, job seekers need to stay focused and bring their "A Game" to every opportunity they pursue. If you are in spray-and-pray job application mode, applying for every job you see, you are bringing your "C Game" to each opportunity. Disconnect from that apply-apply-apply instinct because a job search is not a numbers game.
Before You Apply for a Job
Conserve your "A Game" energy and efforts for jobs that are a good fit for you. Carefully read the job description, and then, ask yourself these 4 questions:
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Do I want this job?
Yes, a paycheck is VERY important! But, earning that paycheck will mean doing that job. So before you chase and, perhaps, land the wrong job, read the "duties" or "responsibilities" section of the job description very carefully. Maybe you've done this work before, earlier in your career, and, sure, you could do it, but you don't really want to. Perhaps, the job sounds OK, but the location is a long, expensive commute. Or, maybe the duties and the job sound very interesting to you, and you are excited by the idea of having that job.
The benefit -
When you apply for a job you really want, your enthusiasm will show in the quality of your application and interview.
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Do I qualify for this job?
Examine the "requirements" or "qualifications" section in the job description. Even if you "know" that you could do the job described, applying will be a waste of your time if you don't meet most of the requirements - like meeting 3 out of 4 or 5 of the requirements, or 7 out of 9 or 10. In this competitive job market, employers have their choice of applicants. So, applying for a job without meeting most - or all - of the requirements/qualifications makes it very doubtful that you will be considered for the job.
The benefit -
When you apply carefully for a job that is a good fit for you, you have a better chance of making it through the human or automated screening (or both) to be invited in for an interview.
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Do I want to work for this employer?
Hopefully, this employer is already on your list of target employers. If not, do some checking to be sure that this is a good place to work. Put Google to work for you, and check GlassDoor.com to, hopefully, find reviews by employees. Maybe this employer has a terrible reputation as a place to work or been involved in a bad situation - legal, financial, quality, etc. Or maybe it's great and everyone who works there loves it.
The benefit -
You will be better prepared to do an excellent job of applying, and your knowledge will demonstrate your interest in the employer in a job interview. Your research could also show you that while the job sounds great and you qualify for it, working for this employer would be a nightmare best avoided.
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Do I know anyone who already works there?
If you have answered the top 3 questions with affirmatives, you can immediately start your application. But you will increase the probability of a job offer if you can also answer this question with a "Yes"! Check your network online (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) and off-line (friends, family, colleagues, etc.) to see if you have a contact already working for the employer who could deliver your resume into the hands of the hiring manager and/or into the formal "employee referral program" process, too.
The benefit -
When a contact on the inside (an existing employee) submits your resume and vouches for you, you have a much better chance of being considered. And, it is much better to "spend" that favor of a personal resume delivery on a job that is a good fit rather than wasting it on a long shot.
Your Mileage May Vary...
Yes, sometimes the planets align, timing is inexplicably perfect, and rarely a random application does turn into a great job. But, such exceptional situations are extremely rare. So, probably better not to count on that happening for you. In this job market, anything less than your A Game is a waste of your time, and since you cannot bring your A Game to every job application, ask yourself those 4 questions before you spend your time applying.
© Copyright, 2013, Susan P. Joyce. All rights reserved.
