Does Your Application Stand Out In The Business World?
Does your application stand out? This is a question you need to ask yourself before you apply for that job! Yes, with so many changes in how one presents themselves and their brand, you need to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ or fall along the way.
It can be called your CV – curriculum vitae or your resume. Whatever name it goes by, ensure that it is up-to-date and ready if you might need to change roles.
Read on to see the suggestions of this contributed article.
Résumé S.O.S: Save Our Sources (Of Revenue)
For a single piece of average A4 paper, a résumé has a huge impact on a person’s career. Without one, there is no way any of us will land a new job. But, that isn’t all because a curriculum vitae has to stand out above all the other candidates. Does your application stand out?
The business world is dog-eat-dog, ladies and gentlemen. Still, before we even get that far, there are people whose résumé is under threat. Not from a malevolent colleague who wants to climb the corporate ladder but technology. Yep, credentials are saved online or on computers, and this new age technique puts them at risk. Here’s how to protect them.
Convert To Current Currency
As soon as people see this topic, they instantly exclaim “who the hell uses tapes anymore?!” The answer is no one unless you’re trying to blackmail Dave Chappelle. However, some career-driven men and women will be old enough to remember the days of cassette tapes.
In fact, valuable parts of their résumé may exist only on these mediums. Millennials can gloss over this part because it doesn’t concern you. For the older generations, please ensure you convert VHS to digital as soon as possible. All it takes is to misplace an old box and parts of your career may be lost forever.
Back Up
Anyone who doesn’t think Ludacris has a role to play in career progression should think again. His song entitled “Get Back” encourages peeps to back up at every opportunity. Granted, it means something different in a hip-hop context, but the moral is still relates.
Modern tech sounds and feels as if it is indestructible but it’s flimsy and weak. And, that’s without talking about the hardware. The software itself can implode and leave the device unusable. Anything on it will cease to exist, including a certain file which lists your achievements. Back it up to a pen drive as well as your email just to be sure.
Listen And Learn
When was the last time someone offered advice regarding your résumé?
For plenty of people, it was high school or college, which may have been years ago. The industry changes at such a rate that those tips could be outdated by now. Don’t fear because there are lots of companies that are willing to offer advice and suggestions.
LiveCareer gives new registrants a complimentary check-up which points out the strong and weak points. Listen to them and put their guidelines into practice. Make sure that when you ask yourself the question: does your application stand out? The answer you get will please your ears!
Be Adaptable
Résumés don’t only need saving from technology – they need defending from the trash bin, too – not to mention writing emails!
A file or piece of paper that looks boring goes straight in the bin according to experts. It seems managers don’t have the time to go through every single application with a fine tooth comb.
With this in mind, be prepared to mix up résumés depending on the situation. A formal job role may require a traditional layout, yet a creative position will want to see innovative use of space and color.
Does any of the above apply to you and your résumé?
Images courtesy of Pixabay, Flickr, and Pexels.
[Updated November 2019]
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4 thoughts to “Does Your Application Stand Out In The Business World?”
Michelle,
It has been a while since I looked for a job. Most companies I have looked at lately do their application online and your resume will just be an attachment. Without having it saved on some kind of media it will be hard to send via the application. When I was a hiring manager, reading the application or resume would tell a lot about the applicant. If you do not tell the truth on the application (it happened many times) It will be an early exit in an interview.
John
Hello there John,
Thanks for visiting. Yes, our times have surely changed. I know that I would indeed need a refresher course if I would have to do the job application route in this day and age. And yes, resumes can sometimes be ‘filled’ with untruths or ’embellishments’, this could prove to be a source of deceit – and God forbid if you are ‘found out’ – the boot!
All the best.
Michelle
Hi Michelle, to get anywhere in the world these days is to stay ahead of the curve, and there would be no better way to present a resume on a flash drive. This would show that you are familiar with the new technology of things.
Now, what is a VHS 🙂
Kim
LOL…too funny, Kim. You remember the good ‘ole days – the VHS era – yes, indeed, the young ‘uns of today will surely ask – what is that? Yes, technology is certainly changing and has changed the way we do things on a personal level as well as on a business level. Thanks for stopping by.
Michelle