TIPS FOR COMPLETING JOB APPLICATIONS BE CONCISE Target your qualifications To decide what information to include, research the company, its products or services and the skills needed for the job. Include only the information and experience that meets the specific needs of the job. Many applications have limited space to record your skills, experience and accomplishments. See if you can attach a resume that details all of your skills, experience and accomplishments. BE OPEN Give a range for salary Employers may use responses to a desired salary to screen out applicants. It is best to give a salary range or write “negotiable,” even if you know the wage you want. This leaves you room to negotiate a higher salary. BE CORRECT Double check the completed application Proofread what you have written on the application to make sure there are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Check employment dates, telephone numbers and addresses for accuracy. If possible, have others review the application. They may catch errors that you might miss. Avoid using abbreviations, except for “N/A.” BE CERTAIN Always list your “position desired” Ask the person giving you the application what positions are open and name the position you are interested in on the application when asked. Do not leave this question blank or write “any” or “open.” If you’re answering a job ad or looking for a specific position, enter that job title. If you are not applying for a specific position, enter the name of the department in which you wish to work. Fill out more than one application if you are interested in more than one job. ONLINE APPLICATIONS Today, many employers expect jobseekers to apply for jobs online. You may need to apply on the employer’s website or on an online job board, like Indeed, Monster or CareerBuilder. Follow the instructions explicitly and do not email your resume to an employer unless the job ad asks for this. To apply online, you will need access to the Internet and an email account. If you don’t have a computer, free Internet access is available at public libraries and Career Centers. Make sure you have a USB drive (sometimes called a flash drive or thumb drive). This will allow you to bring or save your resume information when working on a public computer. These drives are small and inexpensive. You can purchase one at many retail stores. If you need an email address, many sites offer free accounts. Visit EmailAddresses.com for a list of free web-based email. Popular free services include Gmail from Google and YahooMail. Use a simple email address with your name or initials. Your email should be appropriate and simple. Do not use emails like SuperHotGuy@hottie.com. This type of email address is not considered professional. If you want easy access to your resume, Google Docs has an online word processor. You can save your files there online and export them as PDF files when applying for jobs. 43
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