This Is What Really Happens When You Submit an Online Job Application
And how to get yours noticed.
Photo: ColorJoy Stock
There are now officially more jobs available than before the pandemic. The number of job openings reached nearly 15 million by mid-March, which is up from 10 million before the pandemic began. And making sure your job application stands out from all the other applicants is a bit trickier than it seems.
Many hiring managers and recruiters default to either using an applicant tracking system or doing keyword searches to determine if candidates are qualified. Keyword searches are an easy way to determine if it’s worth taking the time to look at a résumé or not, which is why applicant tracking systems have become so widely utilized.
There is a lot of information out there, but there are four main things you should know about applicant tracking systems.
What Is an Applicant Tracking System?
An applicant tracking system is a system used by many hiring managers and recruiters to sift through résumés and find qualified candidates. It basically lets the user type in keywords to find candidates who have those words or qualifications listed in their résumé. This is an easy way to separate seemingly qualified candidates from unqualified candidates.
There Isn't Just One Applicant Tracking System
People often ask me if I am “familiar with ATS” as if “ATS” is a program like Microsoft Office. An applicant tracking system is a type of program, and there are hundreds of different applicant tracking systems out there. There is no way to know exactly how each applicant tracking system will work and what it will and will not catch in your résumé.
What You Can Do to Increase Your Chances
The best way to ensure your application comes up in keyword searches and makes it past an applicant tracking system is to go through the job description that you’re interested in applying to and integrating those keywords and phrases throughout your document. Yes, you need to put in the work and customize your résumé for each job you apply to.
Do your desired job descriptions utilize keywords or phrases that you can use in your résumé? Does a job description have a more eloquent way of wording one of your job duties? If you’re not using current job postings to help you write your résumé, you’re doing yourself a disservice. See how industry professionals talk about jobs and utilize that in your document. Using industry jargon will also help you appear more professional and knowledgeable about what you do.
Additionally, the ultimate way to get your résumé into the right hands is to use your industry connections. If you have a contact who can direct your résumé to the right person, use it. “Job search is about going beyond the résumé to get noticed. Real relationships with colleagues and friends matter in getting a foot in the door,” says career coach Alyson Garrido.
The Reality
There is no way to create one résumé that will work for every job you apply to and “beat” every applicant tracking system. There is no way to know what system a company will use and what it will pick up within a résumé. All you can do is cater your résumé to the job you’re applying to, integrate keywords and phrases, and provide concrete examples of your accomplishments and achievements.
Alyson Garrido went on to say, “Relationships and follow-ups are key components of the job search. If someone recommends you for a role, you're far more likely to get an interview and bypass the applicant tracking system. Also, if you're among 20 candidates who get past the ATS, but you follow up, it's highly likely your résumé will be reviewed.”
There are plenty of online sources that will tell you they have the secret algorithm for beating applicant tracking systems, but the reality is that there is no way to create one perfect résumé to meet all of your needs for every job you apply to. If someone tells you that they can create this for you, they are lying. It’s impossible.
The best way to make progress on your job search is to leverage your industry connections, put in the legwork, craft a résumé that articulates all that you’ve achieved, and customize it for each job you apply to with keywords from the job description.
About the author: A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a certified professional résumé writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal styles. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your résumé, style, and boost your confidence.
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This story was originally published on August 24, 2018, and has since been updated.
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Be Prepared—6 Tough Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them)
You’ve got this.
Photo: Altea Alessandroni for Pexels
So you've landed an interview—congratulations! Standing out in a sea of resumes is no easy feat, but the hiring process is far from over.
Now it's time to knock your interviewer's socks off. If you really want to wow, you’ve got to do your homework and be as prepared as possible. You’ve picked out the perfect outfit, researched all there is to know about the company, and printed your resume, but you can’t stop there. What will really get you hired is your stellar answers to the interviewer’s questions—not that super cute blazer (sorry!). We’re here to help and make sure you don’t go into the interview blind!
While the process can be long and nerve-wracking—these are questions that potentially alter your future after all—there are some difficult interview questions you can bet on being asked. Read on, practice, and go crush that interview!
1. Tell me about yourself.
This is a little like the "What do you do?" question that can be so stressful. It's asking you to sum yourself up in a succinct but engaging way. You want to grab your interviewer's attention without delving into your life story.
What the interviewer really wants to know is a little about your personality, but also what about you will add to this particular company. Do not have a scripted response. This should be tailored for each interview and you should talk about where you are professionally.
DO talk about why you got into your particular field and how it relates to your background. What it is about your line of work and experience that is specifically "you." When and where you adopted your dog is cute, but save it for after you get hired.
2. What is your biggest weakness?
I'm a workaholic. A perfectionist. Type A. I never give up, to a fault. None of these answers the question. Using this question as an opportunity to #humblebrag is not the way to go. Instead, they show that your biggest weakness is an inability to address where you're lacking and you come off cocky. Everyone has weaknesses, including the person sitting across the table from you, and self-awareness is a good trait.
3. What would your previous employer say about you?
This question needs to be answered based on how you left your last company. If you were fired, and you've still listed that position on your resume, don't try to hide it. Instead, use this question as an opportunity to explain where you went wrong and what you learned.
If you left your last job on good terms and your former boss is willing to be a reference, this is a great way to back up what you say.
If you had an exit interview, you can pull directly from that conversation, and is a reason to ask for an exit interview if your employer doesn't offer one upfront. However, a resume doesn't have to include every job you've ever had.
That said, be prepared for this one:
4. Are there any jobs you've omitted from your resume?
This is a particularly tough one. If you've left a job off your employment history there are usually two reasons: it was a short, contract position (90 days or less) that didn't add anything but a few extra lines to your resume, or you left on really bridges burned, bad blood, terms.
There are certain jobs we take that are fillers or contract jobs that give us the ability to pay our rent, or brush up on skills (a great point to highlight). Feel free to mention jobs that you took as "in-betweeners." Even if it's a job that you think is beneath you and your skills, tell your potential employer about it. The willingness to work while you're "not working" highlights an ethic to stay on the grind even if you aren't employed full time.
If there really is bad blood between you and a former employer, and an interviewer point-blank asks you this question, you don't want to start a new work relationship off by lying. You can talk about what happened in more vague terms without mentioning the name of the company. As scary as it can be, this is a great opportunity to show your humanity, own your failures, and end on a high note by explaining what you learned.
5. What are these gaps in your employment history?
This piggybacks on question #4. Sometimes gaps are omissions and sometimes they are simply times when you were unemployed. If there are gaps, be prepared to explain what you were doing during this time.
If you don't have an answer because you used your fun-employment time as just that, let this be a lesson: Don't sit and wait for the job to come to you. The harder you hustle the greater the reward. There's a good chance that if the job comes down to you and someone who took a class or another job during their unemployment, you're probably not getting that position.
The hustle never sleeps or stops—even if you're not getting paid. You are responsible for your future, no one else.
6. Is there anything you want to ask me?
If you say, "No, I think I've got it," be prepared to kiss that job goodbye. You just spent 30 minutes with the person in charge of hiring you and if you don't have any questions, you haven't done your research. Show that you are willing to go the extra mile (hell, block) for the company. These questions should NOT be about salary, benefits like vacation days, or how long you have to wait for your first performance review and promotion. Climb the ladder sure, but wait until you get hired to take a step up the rung.
Look into clients they've worked with, their greatest successes, and figure out a question or two that shows that your battery is fully charged up for them i.e. not questions that show you're only looking out for you. These are questions that show you are also willing to go outside of your job "description" and get involved in multiple verticals.
Good luck and be your best-prepared self. This is your year if you want it.
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This post was originally published on January 20, 2016, and has since been updated.
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Do You Have One of the 50 Best Jobs in America?
Software engineers rejoice.
Are you are data scientist, marketing manager, physician assistant, or recruiter? If so, congratulations—your job is one of Glassdoor’s 50 Best Jobs In America!
According to the list, the most in-demand job is that of a software engineer (with a staggering 49,007 job openings nationwide!) while software engineering managers make the most money with a salary of $153,000. Data scientists have the highest job satisfaction, with a rating of 4.3 out of 5.
The Glassdoor Best Jobs list is determined based on earning potential (median annual base salary), overall job satisfaction rating, and number of job openings.
See the full list here.
C&C Classifieds: Sweetgreen, Stella McCartney, Amika & More!
Get those apps ready!
It’s that time of the week again! No, not Wednesday, we’re talking about a new round of C&C Classifieds. This week’s lineup includes roles at Sweetgreen, Stella McCartney, and so many more awesome places.
If you’re still looking for your dream job or want to explore a new industry, then you’ve come to the right place. Update those resumes, proofread those cover letters, and get to applying.
Good luck!
Sweetgreen - LA, CA
Stella McCartney - NY, NY
Amika - NY, NY
Soul Pancake - LA, CA
C&C Classifieds: Dear Media, Starbucks, WeWork & More!
Apply, apply, apply.
Happy Wednesday C&C fam! Now that we're back from Chi-town, it's time to get back to business. We're bringing you a fresh, new lineup of jobs for this week's C&C Classifieds.
Have you ever dreamed of working for Starbucks, WeWork, or even here at Create & Cultivate? Well, you're in luck. We're covering all bases this week with gigs in design, social media, marketing and more.
Get your applications ready and good luck!
iDGroup - LA, CA
Dear Media - LA, CA
Richer Poorer -LA, CA
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
WeWork - NY,NY
C&C Classifieds: Create & Cultivate, Blended Strategy Group, Dermaflash & More!
It's time for some more awesome job listings, courtesy of C&C Classifieds!
This week's batch includes some awesome gigs in the worlds of marketing, social media, project management and more! And yes, we're hiring here at Create & Cultivate!
Get your foot in the door in these different industries and get ready to make your mark!
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
Blended Strategy Group - LA, CA
Dermaflash - CHI, IL
hello.me - Remote
Rare Global - LA, CA
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C&C Classifieds: Krupa Consulting, Bliss, Girlgaze & More!
It's that time of the week again, and a new batch of C&C Classifieds is here. If your job search isn't going as planned, we're here to help you move in the right direction.
Interested in beauty? There are great PR and social media gigs now open in the space. Are you looking to kickstart a career in the music biz? That's part of this week's roundup too! Oh, and we can't fail to mention that Create & Cultivate still has some open positions left to join our team.
Get your resumes ready and good luck!
Krupa Consulting - NYC
Lemon Laine - Nashville, TN
Dice - LA, CA
Bliss - LA, CA
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
C&C Classifieds: Refinery29, Billion Dollar Boy, Mistress & More!
Another Wednesday, another classifieds!
If you've been searching job boards and obsessively refreshing LinkedIn for the latest openings at your dream company, look no further. Your weekly classifieds listing is here with positions in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and more. Weather you're transitioning into a new industry or looking to put that fresh college degree to work, we've got you.
Dive into this week's classifieds listing here and get your resumes ready to rock!
PS.: We're hiring, check out our open positions if you'd like to join the C&C fam!
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
Capital Hair Products - Washington DC
Billion Dollar Boy - NY, NY
Mistress - LA, CA
Refinery29 - LA, CA
Groupon - CHI, IL
WANT MORE? SEE OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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C&C Classifieds Nº44: Be Social, catstudio, Leaf Group & More
You want options? We've got options
Classifieds No. 44
get a jump of your job hunt
Yesterday officially marked the first day of summer (what up long days and sweet summer nights, we see you.) But have you seen our newest job listings? We know it's tempting to endless summer it forever, but is that really what you want? We thought not.
Say hello to our newest batch of job listings.
BE SOCIAL, SAN DIEGO, CA
CATSTUDIO, MID-ATLANTIC, NORTHEAST
LEAF GROUP, SANTA MONICA, CA
COUPAR COMMUNICATIONS, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
THE PABLOVE FOUNDATION, LOS ANGELES, CA
THE MINE, KIRKLAND, WA
C&C Classifieds Nº31: AwesomenessTV, The Meatball Shop, Chloette PR & MORE
photo from A Pinch of Lovely
Hey you! Looking for a little boost in salary right in time for summer? You've come to the right place. Knowing what's out there on the job market can be a helpful resource in one of two ways: 1) when you are attempting to negotiate that raise you so deserve OR 2) when you've decided it may be time to move onto better and brighter things. Either way, staying up to speed is MAJOR KEY (thanks again, DJ Khaled). So here are six new jobs to keep ya fresh.
ALSO, while we have your attention, you're going to want to check out this bomb-dot-com piece we published about the ONE WORD our favorite boss babes want you to stop using. Trust us, you're going to be removing "just" quicker than quick.
AWESOMENESSTV (LA)
Senior Partner Manager
THE MEATBALL SHOP (NYC)
Brand Marketing Coordinator
CHLOETTE PR (Remote)
Freelance Publicist
IVY (CHICAGO, IL)
Community Manager
LAUNDRY SERVICE (NYC)
Senior Social Strategist
BPCM (LA)
Senior Digital Beauty Publicist
Want more?
FULL ACCESS TO CLASSIFIEDS HERE
C&C Classifieds Nº26: The Narrative Group, HelloGiggles, CMG & more!
New week. New opportunities.
Opportunities come and go, but with a new week here and a new round of C&C Classifieds to brighten up your Wednesdays, we have opportunities for you, galore!
This week, we have brand new classifieds for you from our friends The Narrative Group, Hello Giggles, Clique Media Group, Away, and more from CAA and Universal Music Group. Get a sneak peek at this week's classifieds below, and sign up below to get access to the full list of classifieds!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
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C&C Classifieds Nº24: Camron PR, FabKids, Amazon, and more!
Don't start slacking on your new year's resolution just yet.
photo credit: Bloguettes
You've made it through the first week of January 2017! We hope that it's been smooth sailing thus far, and while we're at it, how are those New Year's resolutions coming along?
If you're still on the hunt for the one gig that is going to be a home run for 2017, we've got you covered. From FabKids to Camron PR, and including internship positions here at C&C, enter your name and email below to get full access to this week's classifieds!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
C&C Classifieds Nº23: Well + Good, The Spare Room, Inked & more!
Say yes to 2017 by stepping into a new career.
Happy New Year!
As we step into 2017, there are many resolutions that we may have set our minds to. New workout habits, network more frequently, call your parents more often. While these resolutions are on your list, perhaps finding a new career in the new year remains at the top of your list.
Let us help you make the next step in your career for the new year with this week's C&C Classifieds! Cheers to new opportunities in 2017!
VIEW THE FULL LISTINGS BELOW:
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
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How to Apply for Out of State Jobs in 2017
New year, new state-of-mind.
photo credit: Lovely Indeed
If your plans for 2017 include a move, here’s how to apply for out of state jobs. There seems to be a common fear of applying to out of state jobs, but it’s actually fairly simple. The best way to apply for out of state jobs is to apply as if you were in state. What does this mean? Keep reading to find out!
FIX THE HEADER ON YOUR RESUME
The first mistake many people make is that they don’t change the header of their resume. The first step to applying for out of state jobs is to change up your header so it reflects the location where you’re applying to. No need to include an address, but if you’re applying for jobs in Boulder, Colorado, include “Boulder, CO” in place of your current address.
Employers often shy away from out of state or long distance candidates because they simply don’t want to deal with travel/ or potential relocation costs, and want to start scheduling interviews quickly. Eliminate the opportunity for employers to write you off because of your location when initially reading your resume by applying as if you were in-state.
The way I always explain it to clients is this: If it comes up, be transparent and explain that you’re going to relocate, however there’s no need to give people the opportunity to pass you up because of your location.
"There’s no need to give people the opportunity to pass you up because of your location."
Tweet this.
If a company feels that you’re the right candidate for the job, location won’t matter.
DO THE RESEARCH
This territory comes with applying for any job, but it’s especially important when you’re applying out of state. Because you’re going to have to relocate for the position, you need to show recruiters and/or hiring managers why you’re worth the hassle, and why you really want the position.
Do your research on the company and job so you can include company specific information in both your resume and cover letter. A great way to do this is to find an area which you believe the company can improve and discuss how you feel you can improve it for them.
BUDGET WISELY
If you’re applying for out of state positions, you need to be ready to hop on a plane (or jump in the car) and get there for an interview. If you reached out and applied for an out of state job, it’s your responsibility to pay the cost of travel and relocation.
If a company is pursuing you, meaning they reached out first, you can expect cost of travel and relocation to be covered, however if it’s the other way around, it’s all on you. The easiest way to ruin your chances of landing an out of state job is to be fussy and unaccommodating. If you want to land a job (and move) out of state, you need to be ready to jump at the opportunity. If a company feels like you’re too much of a hassle or that you’re not willing to make the necessary arrangements, they will likely go with another candidate (probably a local choice).
________
2017 is a new year and holds new opportunities. If those opportunities include a big move, learn how to apply for out of state jobs the right way. The best way to apply for out of state jobs is to act as if you’re a local candidate, show potential employers why you’re the solution to their problem(s), and be ready to jump at any opportunity.
When applying for any job, it’s important to show employers why you want the position and why you’ll be the best fit, however when you’re applying to out of state jobs, it’s even more crucial. If you can’t show employers that you’re worth the risk of hiring someone in another state, you won’t be able to land the job. The bottom line is that you need to show employers that you’re willing to do anything to get the position. Show them this and you’ll be good to go!
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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C&C Classifieds Nº21: Ban.do, Digital Brand Architects, Univision & more!
Get in that last job application before you check out for the holiday.
We bet that you're packing your bags right now getting ready to put your OOO auto-reply on and check out for the holiday weekend.
Or, you could still be hunting for that next opportunity to lock in for 2017. Whatever the case is, we've got you covered to continue your job search.
This week, we've got fresh new listings from our good friends at Ban.do, Digital Brand Architects, Univision Communications Inc., and so many more! To get access to the full listings, enter your info below!
Happy Holidays!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
C&C Classifieds Nº20: Be Social, Fringe Studio, Trendera, & more!
The hustle don't stop, even if you're in holiday mode.
HOLIDAY BREAK IS SO CLOSE. SOOOOO CLOSE.
If you're counting down the days till you can kick your feet up and relax, hang in there. Just because you're already in holiday mode, it doesn't mean the hustle has to stop, especially if you're looking to kick off 2017 with a new gig.
Sign up below to get full access to our C&C Classifieds this week featuring Be Social, Trendera, Fringe Studio, Squarespace, and more!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
C&C Classifieds Nº19: Elemis, Janet Gwen Designs, Kate Spade, and more!
Fresh new batch of classifieds for the week of 12/7.
December is finally here, and we're one step closer to 2017. We have the holiday music on repeat, and we can already hear the New Year's Eve noisemakers and kazoos in the distance.
However, if you're looking if you're looking to lock in a new gig before you hear the 2017 countdown, we've got a new batch of classifieds for you this week.
From Elemis, to Janet Gwen Designs, to Vans, check out all of the new listings on our classifieds this week.
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
C&C Classifieds Nº14: New Opportunities For November
Say hello to your new gig.
November is here, and as a new month is here, you might be feeling the winds of change in your career as well.
Kick off the month with a fresh batch of job listings for you to apply from our good friends at Mr. Kate, HomeAway, Target, Saatchi & Saatchi, JustFab, Brit + Co, Digital Brand Architects, Daniel Wellington, Crate & Barrel, and many more!
To get full access to our classified listings, just enter your name and email below. Good luck!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
C&C Classifieds Nº12: 50+ New Job Listings Delivered Your Way
Fall in love with your new job.
It’s about that time that we wave goodbye to summer as Labor Day makes its way around the corner, and say hello to fall. With the change of seasons upon us, you might also feel inclined to make some moves and find the next significant leap in your career. For those of you who are looking - we’ve got you.
Just before the month ends, we’ve got a brand new batch of listings for you from Shabby Chic, The Huffington Post, Patagonia, Revolve, Fitbit, Refinery29, and many others.
Also, did we mention that we’re hiring as well? Go ahead and enter your info below and see what positions we’ve got for you so you can join our team! Good luck!