Job Application Process
The job application process can be
mysterious and frustrating.
Applying for a job can be a challenging experience, especially if it’s your first time doing it. The information in this lesson will help guide you through applying for a job.
Contacting the Business
If you have located a potential job through your friend, a help wanted sign, the newspaper, or a web post; you will have to contact the business to learn about their application process. You can make this contact in person, over the phone, or through email. It can be stressful the first time you do it. Here are some tips to help you through it.
- Relax and remember, the company is hiring people. They want to talk to you about applying for the position.
- Introduce yourself – When you call the business, tell them who you are and that you are interested in the position. It’s also a good idea to let them know what position you are interested in if they are hiring for more than one.
- Let them know how you heard about the position, especially if one of your friends told you about it.
- Finally, ask them how they would like you to apply.
Important Note:
Students in this program all have unique experiences and backgrounds. some may have previous job or internship experiences, while others may not. Regardless of their background, some students will need you to help them translate and contextualize both their lived experience and professional experience in ways that resonate with employers and organizations.
Apply
After you locate a job you like, you must apply for the job by completing the application process. This process could include completing a paper application, a digital application on the company’s website, or the job seeker’s resume submission.
- A form to be filled out by an applicant for a job.
- Allows an employer to gather information about a prospective employee’s skills and experience.
Practice Session:
Complete a practice job application for an internship at ABC Consultations. Once you have completed the practice application, share it with your mentor and ask for feedback.
- a brief written account of personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experience, as that prepared by an applicant for a job.
- a summing up; summary.
Some employers require job seekers to submit a resume. Even if you have never held a job before, you do have experiences that you can include in a resume.
For example, if you participated in choir at your church, your experience likely included:
- Showed up on time to daily after-school practices and meetings.
- Dressed appropriately for practice and shows.
- Worked with other vocalists to plan and perform concerts.
- Listened to instructions and feedback from the director.
Click the information icons on the picture below to learn more about writing a resume.
Personality Tests
In addition to filling out an application and submitting references, some employers may ask candidates to complete a skill or personality test during the application process or the interview. These tests may measure your ability to perform specific tasks that would be required of you or assess your aptitude for working with others in a stressful environment. 2 behavioral tests we recommend to take a look at while going through the job application process are DISC and HOGAN. More information on both can be found in the prior lesson or the additional resources section.
Follow Up
After you have applied for the position, follow up on it. Contact the company the same way you did to find out about applying and let them know you applied. Doing this lets them know you are interested in the position. One follow-up communication is all that is necessary. Do NOT keep calling or emailing them. If they don’t contact you for an interview, move on to the next opening.