Now that I am done reviewing applications and interviewing for this position, I feel the need to give some application tips for all job searches in general... (THREAD)
1/10 Look up the name of the person you'll be reporting to and address the cover letter to them. When I read an application written "to whom it may concern" or "dear hiring manager,” it looks like the person took zero time to research the job or the company beforehand.
2/10 Men tend to apply to jobs when they meet 60% of the criteria, whereas women tend to apply only if they meet 100%. If you are interested, APPLY. The men sure are. hbr.org/2014/08/why-wo…
3/10 Your resume should talk about your accomplishments, not just your responsibilities. Sure you "managed XYZ," but how do I know if you are actually any good at it?
Results-oriented resumes tend to stand out.
Results-oriented resumes tend to stand out.
4/10 If/when you reference the title of the job in the cover letter, use the full and correct title.
If you write a cover letter and misname the role, it's hard for me to believe you're genuinely interested in it.
[Yes, this happened multiples times in this last hiring round.]
If you write a cover letter and misname the role, it's hard for me to believe you're genuinely interested in it.
[Yes, this happened multiples times in this last hiring round.]
5/10 Speaking of cover letters — if your cover letter only talks about yourself and never mentions the institution to which you are applying, that's bad. Talk about them and the role as much as you talk about yourself. Shows you've done your homework.
6/10 Please, please, please: submit PDFs, not Word docs. (This is for many reasons, but most of all, PDFs will always present the way you intend. Word docs can do funny things)
Seriously, submit PDFs.
7/10 Saying why the job is super good for you sort of falls on deaf ears. A hiring manager's role is not to make you happy. If anything, it's kind of the other way around—at least in the application itself. Focus on how great the org is and what you can bring to it.
8/10 Speaking of cover letters: Be confident, but don’t tell me you’re perfect for the job. I get to decide that! It’s usually enough just to present your best attributes and your interest in the organization.
9/10 There is a time to negotiate salary and title and anything else on your mind. Before an offer has been made to you or the interviewer brings it up is not that time. (!!)
10/10 Seeing all these things repeated in application after application is like death by a thousand paper cuts. I can’t say every hiring manager shares all of my views, but I guarantee doing these things will not hurt your chances.
