Job Searching: It’s All In the Details

These days, it is important to be detail-oriented. I could not emphasize this more when it comes to searching for a new job. A mistake in your resume or even an email could possibly make it or break it. This is especially true if the new job you are seeking requires regular email usage (which jobs don’t nowadays?) and written communication skills.

First of all, make sure your resume is full of details. This single document could be the portal to an amazing job opportunity and you should take it seriously. Under each job you have listed, make sure to write out a summary of your work and contribution to the company. Instead of writing out what you were doing on a day-to-day basis, be specific and think of how you were an asset to the company. Include things like:

• Leadership responsibilities: did you manage people? How many? What did the team accomplish as whole with you   at the forefront
• Specific projects
• How you influenced the bottom line: did you increase revenue? Decrease costs? Did you help figure out new logistics that improved the company
• If you did these things, show facts, figures, percentages, anything to make a valid claim
• Specific tools you are familiar with: Word included! List out what you have experience with even if it’s something you wouldn’t think isn’t all that different. I worked with an ATS (applicant tracking system) at my last position that I used so regularly I forgot it was something different to add to my resume. These types of systems and tools you have experience with may give you an advantage.

Make sure your resume is clean, easy to read and concise. It’s important to add details and specifics but there is no need to write a novel.

As I have mentioned in a previous blog post, make sure your cover letter is addressed correctly and attached to your application (if you choose to submit one).

Although this may seem like a given, make sure there are zero typos in your resume or cover letter. Since you are reading it over so many times, you may be missing something and it could be a good idea to hand it over to a friend to review – or read it out loud to yourself.

The same goes with emails when you are beginning to speak with someone from a company. Keep your emails concise, energetic and without error. I understand that no one is perfect, and sometimes a typo can happen – but I do encourage everyone to read over their emails at once to double-check.

If you are going in for interviews I would suggest making sure you know exactly who you will be speaking with and their role. Take the time to do some research so you know who you will be dealing with. The worst impression to make is after an interview, asking your interviewer what their name is.

Lastly, after any interview, phone or otherwise, it’s a nice touch to send a thank you email. Remember what you spoke about during the interview and address this in the letter, include why you still believe why you are the best fit for the job.

By paying attention to the details from your application and throughout the interview process you will certainly make a greater impression and put yourself a step ahead of the competition.