The Basics of Job Hunting and Application

Updated 23rd July 2019

Having a job is essential to meet up the demands of life. It allows us to earn money for us to buy our basic needs. However, getting a job is not easy. It requires skills, degree and other requirements.

According to the 2019 report of the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) of International Labor Organization, 197.1 million people are unemployed in the world in 2015. In 2016, it increased to almost 200 million. It is also expected to rise by 1.1 million every year.

If you are unemployed now, let us help you understand the basics of job applications for you to find your dream job.

What are the Types of Job Applications?

Online Job Applications

Any job application completed via online falls under this category. You can visit the corporate websites of the company you want to apply to. Go to their career page and complete their form and follow further instructions to apply. There are also other sites that allow you to post your resume online. LinkedIn allows you to build your digital profile and resume and connect with millions of employers and companies. You can also apply at job search engines like Indeed.

If you wish to start you work-from-home career as a freelancer, you can open UpWork, Freelancer, and other freelance work sites and access millions of online jobs.

In-Person Job Applications

Some companies, especially in the retail and hospitality industries want their employees to apply in-person. Of course, as an applicant, you need to be prepared. You shall complete your application form, documents, look professional and be ready for an on-the-spot interview.

Email Job Applications

Email is one of the most formal modes of communication. There are companies who invite their applicants to apply through sending an email. In creating your email application, you need to be professional and complete. Attached your resume, CV, cover letter and necessary documents, including your transcript, portfolios, and employment certificates, among others.

Part-Time Job Applications

In this type of job application, the applicant intends to work less than the required hours of service. If the company’s full-time position requires 40 hours per week, then the part-timer works 20 hours per week. Mostly, they have the same job application requirements as full-time applicants. But they cannot enjoy the same privileges and benefits as full-timers.

Summer Job Applications

Summer job applications are genuine and useful employment in the summer season. If you are planning to apply for a summer job, it is recommended that you start your job search earlier so that you can have more choices. Summer jobs need fewer requirements than full-time jobs.

There are hundreds of jobs available for students who want to work part-time to support their studies or to have extra income. The requirements are also easier. But for some states, they require students under 18 years old to obtain working papers.

Summer jobs, often in well-established businesses, help fill gaps in the pool of graduates and staff. They also play an important role in shaping a company’s reputation, according to Jon Vertigan, chief executive of Cambridge Associates, a recruitment firm. “The responsibilities [of a summer job] help to establish that your business has a high level of professionalism, professionalism in business,” he says. However, some employers say that they worry about the rise of the “summer internship” and what role it can play for young employees.

Diane Hurwitz, head of small business at OneGreenPencil, a human resources company, says: “The dangers of putting people in jobs that are utterly mediocre, that are not only devaluing you as a person — and these are typically unpaid internships — but you are no better off for that experience. “People should really think about if they are taking [an unpaid internship] and the opportunities that lie ahead of them.”

While the intern typically receives no wage, businesses do offer job-shadowing opportunities, which are touted by recruiters as a way for young people to get a taste of the workplace and by which employers draw positive feedback.

Student participants in such programmes can help highlight the company’s culture and what they can learn from an employer, helping them improve their chances of getting paid, while being able to take part in fulfilling and useful tasks.

Where to Find Jobs?

Now that we have knowledge about the different types of job applications, let us teach you where to find jobs. Some applicants are close to losing hope because “there are only a few jobs available.” Actually, it is not true. There are millions of jobs available. You just have to be keen and strategic in looking for them not just in one place, but in many places.

Company Websites

In the survey conducted by Clutch, 71% of the small businesses have their own websites, of course, large corporations and companies have their own corporate websites. Inside their websites is the career page which lists the jobs available for applicants. All you need to do is to follow the application instructions provided by the company.

Freelancing Platforms

If you wish to work from home as a freelancer, then there are hundreds of freelancing platforms available on the web. One of the biggest freelancing sites is UpWork (formerly Odesk) with more than 1.5 million clients looking for skilled freelancers. They accommodate full-time or part-time workers, short or long-term projects, and hourly or per project work for beginners and experts alike.

Job Boards and Engines

You can also head to the state department that governs labor and employment. Check their job boards which contain a listing of various job positions from different companies. As mentioned earlier, you can also go online and visit job search engines. The most popular is Indeed.com that provides millions of jobs from thousands of job boards and company websites. They will redirect you to the corporate websites to complete a job application.

In Person

Hiring managers and recruiters also personally reach out to applicants through various platforms – online or offline. If you wish to go directly to the company to look for some vacancies, make sure that you dress professionally and you are armed with all the necessary documents.

Hiring Kiosks

Most companies have hiring kiosks. These are computer stations that allow job applicants to fill out online job application forms. The applicants will then be called if his or her application passes the initial resume screening. This maximizes time for companies to look for the perfect candidates, at the same time more convenient for applicants to apply for a job.

Job Fairs

A job fair is like a festival of jobs. Thousands of employers, recruiters and hiring managers gather together to look for potential candidates. Applicants are free to apply to any company they like as long as they have complete documents. During the job fair, applicants will immediately be interviewed. Some applicants will be hired on the spot, while the others will have to complete necessary requirements or will be called if they get the job.

These are the basics of job hunting and application. If you wish to build your confidence and determination, you can attend career fairs and seminars that provide essential tips and advice about applying for jobs. Just put in mind that you should not give up in job hunting. You may experience series of rejections, but this will lead you to the job that perfectly fits you.