9 Ways To Boost Your Job Applications In 2023
Improve your chances of landing that dream job by making use of these top productivity tools and expert tips in your job applications
Perhaps the whole process of applying for a job feels all too familiar to you.
It starts with trawling through a job listing site, updating your resume document, and clicking the ‘Submit’ button with nothing more than a prayer that your dream job gives you a callback for an interview. We’ve all had to go through this painful process, and some of us will likely continue to go through it in the years to come, as we aim for higher positions and bigger portfolios.
Still, this is 2023, which means we have even more technology at our disposal to make our lives – applications for job vacancies included – easier, smoother, and faster.
We’ve rounded up some ways that you can level up your next job application with the help of some nifty websites and tools. Plus, for those who need a refresher, we’ve also tapped on potential employers to hear what they are looking for in candidates today. Take notes, and start nailing those applications.
It goes without saying that a resume is perhaps the most basic step every job applicant starts with. What if you could now get AI to write your resume?
ResumeAI is one of the many platforms out there going viral, thanks to social media users who have tapped into its ability to craft a professional-looking resume in seconds. Just enter your past employment information, let it run out a resume, and go at it with a red pen to ensure everything generated checks out.
Importantly, ensure you’re packing your resume with not just pretty words, but also adding quantifiable results that your future employers would likely want to know.
“AI can save time for applicants on their resume or cover letter writing but it’s important to note that while AI tools can be helpful, they should not be relied on completely,” says Sabrina Ho, founder of women-first career platform Half The Sky. “It should be used in conjunction with a human touch. It’s also important for applicants to make sure that their resume and cover letter accurately represent their skills, experience, and personality. While AI tools can provide suggestions for phrasing and formatting, it’s ultimately up to the applicant to craft a compelling story about their qualifications and achievements.”
HR departments have tons of resumes to sift through, so they often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to help weed out unsuitable candidates before passing on the rest of the applications for a human to screen.
Using an ATS optimization tool like JobScan can therefore mean the difference in whether or not your resume gets through the initial tech filter. Upload your resume and it will tell you what you might be lacking and how well your resume matches the posting you’re applying for.
If you’re an applicant that relies on a standard template cover letter that you attach to all of your hundreds of job applications, you should probably pause that.
Jeneen Goh, founder of digital marketing agency 21 Stories, tells us that she always looks out for a well-written cover letter. “We receive a lot of applicants when we put out a job posting. So writing a good cover letter that is personalised to that particular company and position is a great way to stand out. Keep your cover letter easy to read and easy to understand.”
She recalls how job applicants today tend to sometimes put a lot of attention on designing a beautiful-looking cover letter or resume, and while that is always great, the information comes first. “The whole purpose of your cover letter’s design is to serve your credentials and ensure that this key info is put across easily to the employer”, she cautions.
“Within the cover letter, I tend to look out for reasons that the applicant has put down as to why they are applying to 21 Stories”, she shares with us. “I’ve seen some applicants do their homework of visiting our website and social media channels to understand what we do, and they then address why they think they are suitable for the role and the company. It’s a nice touch, and it really makes it feel like the applicant wants to join your company rather than just sending out mass applications everywhere.”
This is a sentiment mirrored by Sabrina, who shares that she thinks it’s “important for applicants to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job: Take the time to carefully review the job posting and tailor your application materials to match the qualifications and requirements of the job. Use keywords from the job posting in your resume and cover letter, and highlight your relevant experience and skills.”
That being said, writing a cover letter can be time-consuming, especially if you’re churning them out in the dozens. For these instances, get an AI program to help you do most of the heavy lifting before you go back in with an editing eye. One program that can help is Rezi, which comes with a 62% interview success rate. By putting in a targeted job title and company, the software takes it away by writing a personalised letter. All you need to do after is read it through and put in your personal touch, so it sounds like it was written by you.
It’s a vast world of job postings out there, and there’s no way you could possibly comb through each website for hours just looking for the right jobs. Therefore, make use of job alerts. LinkedIn offers this service to their users, and you can easily toggle your alerts to focus on a particular keyword, job title and geographic location. Ditto for the various job vacancy sites these days, who offer tailored emails of job postings suitable based on your chosen keywords.
And when in doubt, turn to Google. The search engine giant has also had its hat in the ring for the last six years, with its easy-to-use engine that lets you search the entire web for suitable job vacancies. Just type “Jobs near me” into the search bar, and start toggling the fields to pull up an array of different vacancies. Like LinkedIn, you can also set alerts for specific keywords to be sent to your inbox.
Between your current job, your daily errands, and finding time to breathe, who has time to network these days? Cue networking tools, your new best friend that helps introduce you to the right people from your smartphone.
Beyond LinkedIn, one app that has gotten social media users excited about is Shapr, which works like Tinder for corporate use. Using AI-powered learning, the app finds 15 people with similar interests every day and lets you connect easily with them. It’s like LinkedIn, sans the chaos of having to write lengthy think-pieces or accepting invites to connect with strangers. Through Shapr, you connect with potential “matches” and start building professional relationships with them that can translate into a potential job offer.
In a saturated job market, networking can be the key to getting ahead of the pack – and that’s what one study suggest. In partnership with LinkedIn, researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Stanford co-partnered on a research study that having a network of diverse professionals may now be the most effective way of landing a new gig. The more diverse and outside of your web as possible, the better.
“What this study shows is…how important it is to network,” notes Sinan Aral, who is part of the research team and an MIT professor. “Not just a bunch of people who all know each other and all swim in the same pools of information, but people from different walks of life and from places that you might not think are relevant to you. Opportunities come from out of that left field.”
Time is money, so don’t waste endless hours filling out application forms with the same old information regurgitated again and again. Instead, install a Chrome extension like LiveCareer Apply, which helps you autofill job application forms with a set of information that you’ve put into the system beforehand. Save yourself precious minutes, so you can focus on the hunt for your dream position.
Given that LinkedIn has now become one of the primary platforms that job seekers use to apply for positions, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some employers require applicants to complete a skills assessment. While we’re not going to comment on the efficacy of this practice, the glorious Internet understands that this can sometimes be a pain – so much so that other applicants have now begun building a database of assessment answers that you can visit.
Use these repositories to cross-check your answers, so you are assured that you’re one step closer to getting the interview
Sometimes, talking to yourself in the mirror in preparation for your interview just won’t cut it. If you’re hoping to nail that critical job interview, use a website like My Interview Practice to help you perfect your responses. It simulates realistic interview questions that you can review your recorded responses so you know exactly what to keep or change.
Another unlikely but easy source to get great tips on how to ace your interviews? Social media.
Content creators like Erin (@advicewitherin) or Laura (@loewhaley) have amassed millions of likes and views by sharing real and easy-to-adopt answers to tough questions that can come up in the interview process. In the case of Laura, peruse her feed to find humorous videos as well as useful how-tos that can help you negotiate a higher salary or turn down a job offer.
Importantly, this is the best time for you to hone in on your softer skills – such as confidence, communication flair and personality – to really charm your interviewer.
“Transferable skills such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability are highly valued by employers in today’s job market,” Sabrina advises. “These skills can help candidates stand out from the competition, and demonstrate their ability to succeed in a wide range of roles.”
Repeat after us: Zoom interviews are still job interviews.
Even though we’ve all gotten used to clocking in for our remote work meetings in gym gear, it’s important to remember that meeting a potential employer for an interview over an online platform still requires decorum.
To help you ace your Zoom interview, Sabrina has a couple of tips to share here:
Test your tech. Ensure your Internet connection, camera and microphone are all working and leave nothing to chance. Is there a lot of background noise? If so, use a pair of headphones.
Dress appropriately. This is still an interview, so dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview.
Choose a quiet and professional setting. Find a quiet, well-lit room for the interview. Make sure the background is clean and uncluttered, and avoid any distractions such as pets, children, or noisy appliances.
Practice good posture and body language. Sit up straight and maintain good eye contact with the interviewer. Avoid slouching or fidgeting, and use natural gestures and facial expressions to convey enthusiasm and interest.
Be attentive and engaged. Pay close attention to the interviewer’s questions and respond thoughtfully and confidently. Show your enthusiasm for the job and the company, and ask questions to demonstrate your interest and curiosity.
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview. Send a thank-you email to the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview. Express your appreciation for their time and consideration, and reiterate your interest in the position.
Jeneen also shared similar thoughts, saying that if candidates take the extra effort to “ensure your room is well-lit and that you’re properly-groomed before an online interview, it signals to the employer that this candidate respects them enough to try and make a good first impression”.
Keep on trying! The truth is that you could be doing all of the right things, but for reasons beyond your control, you may not get the offer.
That’s no reason to get disheartened, and it doesn’t mean you’re not a great candidate.
“From my recruitment experience for the past 15 years, it would take a job seeker on average 3-6 months to land a job,” Sabrina shares as parting words of wisdom for job hunters of today. “The job search process can be challenging and frustrating at times, but it’s important to stay positive and persistent. Keep a growth mindset and continue to learn and develop new skills to increase your marketability.”
Text: Aaron Kok/Her World