Before You Hit Apply: How to Make Employers Notice Your Application

Finding a job that interests you is only the first step. Once you click Apply, your application has another job to do: help an employer quickly understand why they should take a closer look at you.

Employers may be reviewing several applications for the same position. They don't automatically know that you're dependable, that you trained new employees at your last job, that customers regularly asked for you by name, or that you've spent five years working safely around heavy equipment.

Don't make an employer guess why you're a good candidate. Show them.

Here are some ways to make your application stand out.

1. Complete Your Job Seeker Profile

If a job board gives you the opportunity to create a profile, take the time to complete it.

An employer looking at your information should be able to quickly answer three questions:

What have you done? What are you good at? What kind of work are you prepared to do?

Be specific when describing your experience. Simply writing “customer service” doesn't tell an employer very much.

Instead, you might mention that you handled customer orders, processed payments, resolved customer concerns, answered phones, scheduled appointments, or trained new employees.

Those details help an employer picture what you could do in their workplace.

2. Upload a Résumé—and Make It Worth Reading

Even when a résumé isn't required, having one available can help show that you're prepared and serious about your job search.

Your résumé doesn't need a complicated design. It needs to make your experience and skills easy to understand.

Include your current contact information, recent work history, relevant skills, education or training, and applicable licenses or certifications.

But don't stop with job titles and dates.

Under your recent positions, include a few specific responsibilities or accomplishments.

Instead of:

Production Worker — ABC Company

Give the employer more information:

Production Worker — ABC Company

• Operated production equipment and completed daily quality checks
• Followed established safety procedures
• Helped train new employees
• Assisted other areas of production when needed

Now the employer knows something about what you can actually do.

And before uploading an old résumé, read through it. If you've learned new skills, changed positions, earned a certification, or taken on additional responsibilities, make sure they're included.

3. Give Employers Specifics, Not Just Adjectives

It's easy to describe yourself as hardworking, dependable, motivated, organized or a team player.

The problem is that employers hear those words all the time.

Whenever possible, show the employer what you mean instead of simply telling them.

Rather than:

“I'm a hard worker.”

You might say:

“I was promoted to shift lead after eight months.”

Instead of:

“I'm a team player.”

Try:

“I helped train five new employees and regularly filled in for other areas when we were short-staffed.”

Instead of:

“I have excellent customer service skills.”

Try:

“I handled 30–40 customer orders during busy shifts, processed payments and helped resolve customer concerns.”

Specific examples are more memorable because they give employers something concrete to evaluate.

4. Read the Entire Job Posting Before You Apply

Don't stop at the job title.

Read the responsibilities, qualifications, schedule, location and application instructions.

Then ask yourself:

What is this employer looking for that I already know how to do?

If the employer mentions inventory and you've handled inventory before, include it.

If the position involves working with customers and you have five years of customer-facing experience, make sure that's easy to find.

If safety is important and you've worked in a safety-sensitive environment, mention it.

Your application shouldn't make the employer hunt for the connection between your experience and their opening.

5. Answer Application Questions Thoughtfully

If an employer takes the time to include questions with an application, your answers can be an opportunity to stand out.

Suppose you're asked:

“Why are you interested in this position?”

An answer such as:

“I need a job.”

may be truthful, but it doesn't tell the employer why they should be interested in you.

A stronger answer might be:

“In my current position, I work directly with customers, handle orders and payments, solve problems when something goes wrong, and help keep things moving during busy periods. I'm interested in this position because it would let me use that experience while taking on more responsibility. I'm dependable, comfortable working with the public, and I'm someone who will step in and help wherever I'm needed.”

Notice the difference.

The second answer tells the employer what the applicant has done, what they could bring to the workplace and why the position interests them.

You don't need to write a long essay. A few thoughtful sentences can say a lot.

6. Don't Overlook Your Transferable Skills

You don't necessarily need to have held the exact same job before to have valuable experience.

Think about the skills you've developed in other positions.

Someone who has worked in a restaurant may have experience with customer service, cash handling, inventory, teamwork, problem-solving and working efficiently during extremely busy periods.

Someone coming from manufacturing may have experience with safety procedures, equipment operation, quality control, production goals and working as part of a team.

Someone who has worked in an office may have experience with scheduling, computer programs, recordkeeping, customer communication and confidential information.

Even experience from volunteering, running a small business, caring for others or managing responsibilities outside a traditional workplace may have helped you develop useful skills.

The key is making the connection clear for the employer.

7. Don't Hide the Things That Show You're Dependable

Experience isn't only about the tasks you've performed.

Think about what your work history says about you.

Have you stayed with an employer for several years?

Were you promoted?

Were you trusted to open or close the business?

Did you train new employees?

Were you given additional responsibilities?

Did you maintain a professional license or certification?

Were you trusted with money, equipment, confidential information or important customers?

Those details can tell an employer a great deal about the kind of employee you've been.

If something demonstrates responsibility, reliability or growth, don't assume an employer will figure it out from your job title. Tell them.

8. Don't Count Yourself Out Too Quickly

You find a job that sounds great, start reading the qualifications and realize you don't meet every single one.

Should you automatically move on?

Not necessarily.

Pay attention to the difference between required and preferred qualifications.

Some requirements truly are necessary. If a position requires a specific professional license, CDL, certification or other credential, the employer may not be able to consider someone without it.

But if you meet many of the important qualifications and have related experience, don't automatically assume the employer won't be interested because you don't check every preferred box.

Be truthful about what you know—and what you don't—but give the employer the opportunity to consider the experience you do have.

9. Check Your Application Before You Submit It

Take an extra minute before clicking Submit.

Make sure your phone number and email address are correct. Check dates, spelling and the answers you've provided.

Most importantly, make sure an employer can reach you.

If you use voicemail, set it up and make sure the mailbox isn't full. Check the email address you used on your application regularly, including your spam or junk folder.

Getting an employer's attention won't help much if they can't reach you for an interview.

10. Respond When an Employer Contacts You

If an employer calls, emails or messages you about your application, respond as soon as reasonably possible.

Even if you've already accepted another job or decided you're no longer interested, a brief response is better than simply disappearing.

This can be especially important when you're looking for work close to home. Employers, employees and job seekers are all part of the same local communities, and a professional impression can last beyond one particular job opening.

Before You Hit Apply, Ask Yourself One Question

Look at your application as though you're the employer seeing it for the first time.

Then ask:

If this employer knew nothing about me except what I've included here, would they understand what I could bring to their workplace?

If the answer is no, don't hit Apply quite yet.

Take a few more minutes.

Add the experience that matters. Mention the responsibility you earned. Describe the skills you've actually used. Include the accomplishment you're proud of.

You don't need to sound impressive.

You need to give the employer enough information to recognize what you have to offer.

Ready to Find Your Next Opportunity?

Explore opportunities with local employers across Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana, and create your job seeker profile with Lincolnland Job Hub.

Local jobs. Local people. Opportunities close to home.