Creating a resume tailored to each role you are applying for can help you stand out from other applicants. Tailoring your resume includes (1) Putting your most relevant skills, experience, education, projects, and more at the top of your resume (listing these first), (2) Using the same language in your resume that is used in the job post.

In competitive job markets, a high-quality application is essential to standing out and making it to an interview.

High-quality job applications:

• Have a tailored resume for each role/company
• Submit an application via the company’s website (as opposed to a third-party job board or functions like ‘Easy Apply’ on LinkedIn)
• Look carefully at each post, and follow specific steps listed for role consideration (for example, instructions to send your application materials via email)

To set yourself up for success in your job search, we recommend aiming to submit fewer high-quality job applications than many low-quality applications. 

Large, generalist job boards like LinkedIn often have quick-submit avenues for submitting applications to roles. On LinkedIn, this function is called ‘Easy Apply.’

• Pros: Functions like ‘Easy Apply’ allow job seekers to submit a high number of applications quickly.
   
• Cons: Because of the ease of applying, these roles are often highly competitive and can get hundreds of applicants.
   

Searching job boards and browsing openings can feel like a daunting and never-ending task. To help make it less overwhelming, consider adding a structure to create discrete start and end points for each part of the process. An example of what this structure could look like:
 

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: Check job board #1
• Tuesdays and Thursdays: Check job board #2
   

When searching for jobs:

1. Open the job board
    
2. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Search for roles, and open any listings that catch your eye in new tabs. When the timer goes off, stop your search.
    
3. Set another timer for 15 minutes. Go through each of the postings you have open in new tabs. If the posting meets your criteria, you meet 60% of the qualifications, and you’re interested in applying, keep the tab open. If the posting doesn’t meet your criteria, you don’t meet 60% of the qualifications, or you are no longer interested, close the tab. When the timer goes off, close any tabs you haven’t gotten through yet. 
    
4. Choose the 1-3 roles you’re most interested in. Visit the company websites and find the job listings there.
    
5. Create a tailored resume for each position, draft any other requested application materials, and submit an application.
    

After applying for a job, the company will contact you via the information you provided (typically email) if they are interested in inviting you to a screening call or interview. This usually happens within a week or two of an application being submitted unless a hiring timeline has otherwise been specified (such as they are reviewing all applications until X date and will be in contact about interviews after that point). For certain roles and industries, this timeline may look different.

If the company does not want to move you forward in the application process, you may receive a rejection email or not receive any response.

If you have submitted a job application and are waiting to hear back, following up with that employer is okay. Still, we recommend only doing so once and waiting at least one week from the time you submit your application.

✖     Do not send multiple follow-up emails if you haven’t received a response.
✖     Do not follow up immediately after submitting your application.

✔     Wait at least one week after submitting your application to follow up.
✔     Send a single follow-up email inquiring about the status of your application.
✔     If you do not get a response, assume they are moving forward with other  
       candidates and focus on other job applications