Okay, so you consider yourself a top candidate for a company’s open position. That’s all fine and good, but that doesn’t mean you have the freedom and flexibility to circumvent the hiring process.
As I’ve written before in our monthly newsletter, you’re being evaluated every step of the way throughout the process, and the job application is a BIG part of that process.
You might scoff at that statement, but it’s absolutely true. In fact, we’ve also written about the importance of the job application previously in this blog, presenting an actual case study in “The Employment Application: Why Attention to Detail Matters.” In that case study, the candidate did NOT receive an offer of employment because they did not pay proper attention to the application (even though they had interviewed well).
In this blog post, we’re going to explore the subject further and analyze why the job application is such a big part of the hiring process.
The most important thing you should realize about the application is that the employer takes it seriously. If the employer takes it seriously, then you as a candidate hoping to get an offer of employment should also take it seriously. Makes sense, right?
Do not view the job application as an inconvenience. Instead, view is an opportunity. “An opportunity for what?” you might ask.
An opportunity to show yet again that you are the right person for the job!
What you absolutely, positively do NOT want to do is write “See resume” on the application and not fill it out completely. Or, in the case of an electronic application, you don’t want to email the hiring manager to tell them that all the information they need is on your resume. If you were to do either of these two things, you wouldn’t have to worry about accepting an offer of employment . . . because you wouldn’t be getting one.
What you DO want to do is brand yourself in the most positive way possible, and while you might think that the application is a “waste of time,” it is not. Below are just some of the ways that a potential employer is evaluating you with the job application:
- Attention to detail
- Ability to follow directions
- Accuracy of facts provided
- Desire for the job (based on how completely and thoroughly the application is completed)
This is an opportunity to show the organization that you excel in all of these areas and that you go above and beyond what is necessary to succeed. Sure, you have a stellar resume, and yes, you wowed them during the interview, but to top it all off, you nailed the job application.
When you score a trifecta like that, it makes it very difficult for the company to consider anybody else.
However, if you “blow off” the job application and don’t take it seriously, then the employer is not going to take your candidacy for their open position seriously. It’s as simple as that.
Show every potential employer that YOU are the candidate of choice, and don’t let the application be an excuse to rule you out.
We help support careers in one of two ways: 1. By helping to find the right opportunity when the time is right, and 2. By helping to recruit top talent for the critical needs of organizations. If this is something you would like to explore further, please send an email to stacy@thevetrecruiter.com.