Section 13: Searching and Applying to Jobs
You reach a pivotal point once you're ready to apply.
Some people may talk themselves out of applying by thinking they need to have every single skill, experience component, or certification listed in the job posting.
Many jobs list minimum and preferred qualifications. You'll need to meet the minimum qualifications to be considered a viable candidate. For preferred qualifications, it is helpful to have a few, but don't discount yourself if you don't have every single one.
Hiring managers and recruiters often write the job posting with the perfect candidate in mind, who theoretically would have every single qualification listed. That candidate may not exist, or if they do, may not apply to the job. Don't talk yourself out of an opportunity before you even have time to apply!
Applying is an exciting time, especially if you feel like a great match and are passionate about the company. Don't let that excitement of the moment rush you to apply using an old resume. You still need to customize your resume to match the job posting.
One practice when customizing your resume is to open 2 browser windows side-by-side. You have the resume you're customizing in one window and the job posting in the other. This makes it easy to shift back and forth, adding keywords, phrases, skills, and experience until it's a close match.
As you edit your resume to match the job posting, keep the overall objective in mind. The goal of your resume is to be seen as a top candidate in the recruiter's eyes. Your mission is to land that initial call with them.
Recruiters are extremely busy. They may have hundreds of resumes to review. The more you can clearly and concisely connect your resume with what they're looking for, the better.
As a litmus test, ask yourself, "If a recruiter only had 10 seconds to scan my resume, would I be seen as the best candidate?"
The most common resume formats are .pdf or .docx files. We recommend a PDF file (unless requested otherwise in the job posting). Including text in Microsoft Word’s built-in headers may not be parsed by Applicant Tracking Systems.
Additionally, make sure the name of your file is easy to recognize. The file name should include your first name, last name, and the word “Resume.”
Good Resume File Names:
John_Smith_Resume.pdf
Monica Wells Resume.docx
Bad Resume File Names:
ProjectManagerResume(3).pdf
Resume_11_05_2024.txt
Using AI to Supplement Your Writing
You can use AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to aid in the matching process. You can copy/paste the job posting and your resume, prompting the tool to rewrite your bullet points to match the job posting.
As a reminder, AI tools should be used as a supplement to your efforts. Always proofread AI-generated content and revise it as needed to accurately reflect your experience, skills, and writing style.