Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke Creating Strategies for Solicited Job Applications 1. Keys to job application strategies 2. Tips for “standing out from the crowd” This slideshow will help you if: You could use some advice for how to tailor a job “letter” and resume to a specific job opening

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke Here’s the goal of any application: Resumes and cover letters DO NOT GET YOU HIRED! They simply keep you in the running for an interview. The goal is to NOT GET CUT, which means not making dopey mistakes. The best resumes/letters are the ones that are VERY easy to use (clearly formatted, emphasize key info, obviously tailored for the specific opportunity).

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke TWO types of job applications Solicited  You’re responding to a job ad  They know (or think they know) what they want  They’re expecting a pile of applications  There’s a specific list of requirements that they want  You need to connect yourself to these requirements Unsolicited  You’ve seen a potential opportunity  They don’t (yet) know that they need you  There isn’t a pile of other resumes to compete against  There is no set list of requirements  You need to explain what they need and what you’ve got that’ll fill these needs

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke Solicited resumes – IMPORTANT Follow directions  If they’ve asked for something specific, there’s a REASON  Not following directions REALLY annoys the people doing the hiring and will likely get you cut right away CLEARLY respond to ALL listed requirements  Don’t assume they’ll automatically know what you have  If they ask for more than you can list in detail, then explicitly tell them that you meet all requirements in your letter (or ) and show this in your resume

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke Strategies for Solicited Job Applications Applying for UNSOLICITED job opportunities obviously requires research and strategy Using research and strategies also REALLY HELPS FOR SOLICITED applications  Showing you’ve researched the opportunity and edited your resume & letter to match this specific job will REALLY HELP & IMPRESS the people looking at your stuff  Using a clear strategy to connect your specific individual qualifications to what they’re asking for will REALLY HELP & PERSUADE the people looking at your stuff

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke a simple basic STRATEGY Identify the MOST IMPORTANT requirements  If they list ten things, which TWO are MOST critical or impressive? Respond to THESE requirements in detail  Provide lots of detail on these specific things in the resume  Describe how you fit these specific requirements in the job letter If you don’t exactly fit requirements, then EXPLAIN why  Do you come close?  Do you have qualifications/abilities that COULD fit?  WHY should they still consider you for the job?

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke EXAMPLE 9 th grade special education job, they want:  Special Ed teaching certification  Oklahoma state teaching certification  Experience teaching year old special ed kids  First Aid certification and experience What’s likely MOST important? What should you DEFINITELY talk about in your /letter?

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke for the example... RESEARCH will answer these questions! You need to PREDICT what will make you most appealing to the audience Applying for professional opportunities is like being really successful on a “blind” date Who will do better:  The dope who just shows up at the front door?  The smart date who asks some questions and does some research to predict where to eat, what movie to see, and what to talk about?

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke solicited resumes do “blind date” research Try to research the people who’ll read your letter  At least PROVE to the folks who’ll read your letter that you know something about them and that this IS NOT A FORM LETTER  Do YOU like form letters? This requires getting some info about the organization  Mention some of this information in your letter /  Explain WHY you’re applying to them specifically  Show that you’re really interested in THIS opportunity  Mention SOMETHING that’s not in the job ad  PROVE that you haven’t sent them a generic form letter

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke research WORKS ! It really is VERY IMPORTANT to produce a different resume for each position you apply for Quote from a hiring professional: “What I look for is someone who has taken the time to research my company, appreciate what we do, and describe exactly what they can do for me.”

Copyright 2013 by Arthur Fricke things to keep in mind Unsolicited applications obviously require research  There is no job ad, so you must PREDICT what they might want and then describe this very clearly  Your cover letter must convince them to consider hiring someone in the first place, THEN that you’d be a good fit Treating even solicited resumes like unsolicited opportunities can maximize your chances  Even just a little research will ALWAYS help your chances  If nothing else, it will show that your letter/resume are not generic and therefore worth their time to skim carefully