Your Job Application Checklist

? Target your job search to the companies and roles you are most interested in. When you cast a wide net and apply for anything and everything, you’re far less likely to find success.

? Customize your cover letter and tailor your resume. Taking the time to explain why you are the right person for this role using concrete examples will increase the likelihood you hear back from interested employers.

? Work your network! Virtually or in-person, reaching out to your professional network can be a great resource to find jobs that aren’t posted on job boards or with companies you may have never considered.

? Optimize your application for the applicant tracking system (ATS). Use keywords from the posting in your application and skip fancy resume fonts that are hard to read.

? Use a professional email address that includes some version of your name from a reputable email service (i.e., gmail).

? Always include a cover letter with applications, unless the job posting explicitly says not to. It’s one more chance for you to sell yourself and inject a little personality into your application.

? Make sure you proofread your application before you hit “submit.” When in doubt, ask someone you trust to give your materials a once over first.

? Make sure your social media profiles are professional and polished. The vast majority of employers will do an online search of candidates they’re interested in. Or, consider creating two separate versions, one personal and one private.

? Spend some time refining your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your profile is up to date and complete (e.g., a current photo, a well-written summary, etc.). You can even consider writing a blog post that showcases your expertise and experience in your field.

? Include a link to your personal website. This may not be necessary for every career field, but in some roles (i.e., marketing, creative, web design), it’s a great place to show off your work samples to potential employers.

? If you see a posting for a fabulous job that screams your name, apply as soon as you can. If you’re seeing it for the first time after it’s been posted for a week or two, it’s still not too late to apply.

? Always follow the instructions. Try to follow the instructions of the job listing exactly as they appear so that your application passes through the ATS—and gains the approval of the hiring manager.

? Follow up on your applications. This way, you can make sure the hiring manager received your materials, answer questions they might have for you, and get on their radar.

? Avoid job search burnout. If you’re spending all day every day applying to job after job or aren’t as engaged in your job search as you were at the start, take a break to refresh and recharge!