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Job Search Resources

Online Searches and Applications

Job Boards and Job Searching
Submitting Online Applications
General Job Search Tips

In today’s digital world, there are thousands of different job posting websites, some that are more credible and user friendly than others. It is important to be selective about which ones you use. Large, comprehensive search engines (Indeed, Google, Glassdoor, LinkedIn), job boards specific to your industry (NursingJobs.com, HealthECareers, Dice.com, Idealist.com, etc), or company specific career pages are a great place to start. When searching for jobs online:

  • Be on the lookout for suspicious jobs. Above all, protect your personal information. Be careful if you see job listings promising quick and easy income, or requiring a fee or your social security number in order to apply - they’re likely to be scams.
  • Refine Your Search. To find the most relevant jobs:
    • Use Keywords that you’d expect to find in a job posting.
    • Specify your preferred location. Most sites allow you to filter by state, zip code, or even remote/work from home positions.
    • Most sites also have advanced filters to help you narrow results by job title, salary, or job level.
  • Set up Email Job Alerts. Most job sites allow you to save your job searches to receive email job alerts including new jobs matching your criteria. This will help you apply for jobs as soon as they are posted, and will help you save time in the search process.
  • Keep it Focused:
    • Only apply to jobs you are qualified for.
    • Apply for a few jobs at a time rather than 100 in a day.
    • Don’t apply to the same job on multiple websites. Employers only need to receive your application once.

When filling out an online application:

  • Pay attention to all details within the application. Be sure to read all instructions and questions carefully. Answer what is asked, and fill out all required fields.
  • Make sure your application is complete, and tells your story. Fill out work history sections with detail. Include job titles, dates, and duties for each position. See our resume writing section for details on how to draft information on each role. Alway upload a resume if you have one.
  • Review your application before hitting submit. Double check all sections to make sure your information is correct, and that you have used correct spelling and grammar in all fields.
  • Be Careful With Mobile Applications. Most companies allow applications from mobile devices, and have even optimized their application for just such purposes. However, if using a mobile device, make sure your connection is strong so that you don't lose application progress. Don't move too quickly and double check all fields. It is very easy to enter something incorrectly when using a mobile screen.

  • Check your email and spam folder regularly. Employers will typically communicate through email. Occasionally, messages from employers will get routed to spam or promotions folders. Check them daily for updates on your applications.
  • Set Up a professional email address. Your email address should include some version of your name and should not include nicknames, slang, or inappropriate language. (For example megan.smith@gmail.com vs meganluvslife@gmail.com or blondie12345@gmail.com)
  • Set a professional voicemail. If you miss a call from a potential employer, make sure your outgoing message leaves a good impression. For example, use “Hi, you’ve reached Jane. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please leave a detailed message and a call back number, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.” rather than “Leave a message at the beep.” If you have a scheduled call, make sure you are available and that you answer at the scheduled time.
  • Use your network. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends or family for help with a job search, especially if they work for a company you are interested in. Most companies have employee referral programs that could benefit your application.

Interviewing

General Interviewing Tips
Phone Interviews
Virtual Interviews

    Be Prepared.
    • Research the company.
    • Reread the job description.
    • Bring copies of your resume with you your interview.
    • Practice answers to common interview questions.
    • Be prepared with examples of your work, your achievements and your areas for improvement.
    • Arrive on time.
    Ask Questions
    • Prepare questions to ask your interviewers before your interview. Write them down, and bring them with you.
    • Ask follow-up questions when your interviews are describing the role or the company.
    • Ask about next steps in the process before leaving your interview.
    Be Professional
    • Dress professionally. No jeans, ripped clothing or sweat pants. Pay attention to details around hygiene and cleanliness. You want a good first impression.
    • Be respectful to everyone you encounter, from people in the parking lot to front desk staff to your interviewers.
    • Be authentic and truthful. Not only do companies want to find a good fit, but you want a job that is a fit for you as well. Being honest and true to yourself are the best ways to ensure a good mutual fit.
    • Do not speak negatively about your previous employers.

Companies often use phone interviews as a part of the hiring process, especially now, with social distancing in mind. When preparing for a phone interview:

  • Know who you are talking to. Are you speaking with a recruiter or the hiring manager? If you’re interviewing with a recruiter, you’ll get more general questions regarding your experience. An interview with your direct supervisor, however, means you’ll get in-depth questions related to your industry and role.
  • Be professional. Find a quiet environment, free of distractions or background noise. Make sure your phone is charged and that you have a strong signal where you are. Be conversational, rather than using one-word answers. Be respectful and kind throughout the call, even in your greeting when answering the phone.
  • Be an active listener. Be attentive, ask insightful questions and engage with the interviewer. Practicing with friends or family could be greatly beneficial. Follow-up with questions that show you were actively listening to what they were saying.

Similarly, many companies are turning to virtual or video interviews in order to get to know a candidate while still respecting the safety of their candidate and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. When preparing for a video interview:

  • Check your technology. Ensure your internet connection is strong and stable. Make sure your computer audio and microphone are working. Test the computer’s webcam. Close any unnecessary web browser tabs or applications to help make sure your device is working smoothly.
  • Be aware of your environment. Find a quit, private, well-lit place, free from possible interruptions. Be aware of what your interviewer will see in the background. If you are using a mobile device, make sure the device is set or propped somewhere stable, rather than holding it, to prevent too much movement in the video.
  • Be professional. Smile, take notes, dress professionally. Your body language and physical presence should be different than it would be for an in-person interview.

RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS

Basics
Formatting Your Resume
Writing Your Resume
Writing a Cover Letter

Your resume should reflect your unique education, experience and relevant skills. Formatting of resumes may differ depending on the position you are applying for and the amount of experience you have. Remember, you want your resume to clear, concise and accurate. Here are a few key resume writing tips that will help you organize and design your resume.

Employers are looking for clear evidence of achievement and examples of what makes you a good fit for their company. Your resume should help them get know you quickly and easily.

    Make it simple and easy to read. Employers have a minimal amount of time to review your resume. Readability is key.
    • Make sure the most important information is the easiest to find.
    • Divide your resume into clear sections.
    • List work experience and education chronologically.
    Include only the most relevant information.
    • Including old or irrelevant information to make your resume longer makes it more difficult for an employer to understand your background and qualifications for a role and can distract from key information.
    Look for keywords in the job posting.
    • Carefully read the job posting for the role you would like to apply to.
    • Look for keywords in the requirements or job duties. If you meet those requirements or have experience in the areas listed, make sure to include them in your resume.
    • For example, if you are applying for a job as an accountant, the job posting might list keywords like “budgets”, “tax returns”, or “ledgers”. If you have experience with those items, be sure to include the same terms in your experience or skills sections.
    Use active language. Write your resume using active language without unnecessary words. If your resume is too long or seems hard to read, consider making sentences shorter or ideas more concise.
    • For example, rather than “Applied expert budget management skills to achieve a 20% reduction in departmental expenses through diligent research, identifying significant inefficiencies,” use “Achieved 20% departmental cost savings by eliminating inefficiencies.”
    • Use action statements to describe your accomplishments for each job you’ve held, rather than just listing duties. Start each bullet point with words like achieved, created, developed, established, improved, influenced or managed. This article is a great resource for strong action verbs.
    • For example: “Managed six employees” is much better than “Had a team of six”.
    • Try not to overuse business jargon (synergy, value-add, wheelhouse, move the needle, etc).
    Quantify your accomplishments where it makes sense. If you have specifics you can share to help show off your achievements, include them.
    • For example: “Increased department revenue by 30%” is better than “Increased department revenue.” Or, “Served in a 300-seat restaurant, handling up to 5 tables at a time” is better than “Served food and took orders”.
    Do not include a section about your hobbies, your interests or your family.
    • Keep your content limited to your professional achievements. You can include volunteer opportunities or community involvement, if it is relevant to the job.
    Proofread and Edit. Before sending your resume, you should undergo several rounds of proofreading to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Try to have at least one other person help you with this process. Outside eyes are always helpful during editing.
    • Spell Check functions are wonderful tools, but don’t depend solely on them. Spell Check will catch most spelling errors, bud doesn’t always find grammatical mistakes or incorrect/missing words.
    • Double-check little words. Words like or, of, it and is are often accidentally interchanged.
    • Be careful with homonyms, contractions and possessives. People often confuse there/their/they’re and you’re/your and its/it’s.
    • Check for verb tense. For jobs you have left, use the past tense (organized, created, achieved, etc). For your current job, use the present tense (organize, create, achieve, etc).
    • Be consistent with your sentence structure within each section and be sure to use the same verb tense for each bullet point under a single job.

Including a cover letter is a traditional part of a job application. However, not all companies today require, or even ask, for one. Evaluate each job you are applying for to determine whether you need a cover letter. If you do choose to write a cover letter, remember:

  • The purpose of your cover letter is to introduce yourself, not just to rewrite your resume.
  • Use your cover letter to call out specific achievements, address any gaps or inconsistencies in your work history, and to explain why you are attracted to this particular job or company.
  • Each cover letter you write should be specific to the job you are submitting. Unlike a resume, which can be more general, these should be very specific to the individual role.
  • Formatting in your cover letter should match that in your resume. Same font, same margins, same line spacing.