5: APPLICATIONS, REFERENCES & PORTFOLIOS
Additionally, you should collect information on your degrees, certifications, honors, special training, hobbies, volunteer activities and other relevant experience that could help to secure an interview.
TIPS FOR COMPLETING AN APPLICATION
• Never use abbreviations, slang, emoticons or emojis. • Do not write “see resume” in application fields since applicant tracking systems may not understand that phrase. Complete the entire application, and upload your resume or other requested attachments. • For paper applications, refer to your personal data record so you are accurate and consistent. Print clearly in black ink and respond to all questions. Use N/A (not applicable) if the section does not apply to you. • Be positive and honest and avoid any negative wording that may affect the impression you are trying to create. Also, keep in mind that false information can become the basis for dismissal. • You may come across applications containing illegal and tricky questions. These may include questions about age, gender, disabilities, health, marital status, children, race, arrests or convictions, religion, and workers’ compensation history. Use N/A to answer these types of questions. Additional information about illegal questions can be found at CareerForce locations or visit mn.gov/mdhr/ employers/hiring-and-interviewing • Minnesota has a Ban the Box law that bars questions about a person’s criminal record on applications. This law requires employers to wait until the applicant has been selected for an interview, or until a conditional job offer has been extended, before inquiring about the applicant's criminal history. For more information, visit: mn.gov/mdhr/employers/ criminal-background
• If you are applying for a job in a state that hasn’t passed a Ban the Box law and have a felony, you should make the effort to meet the employer before submitting your application. This gives you a chance to sell your skills, enthusiasm and other qualities before managers learn about your offense. • When applying for advertised jobs or for specific positions, make sure to enter the correct job title in the blank space provided. When you aren’t applying for a specific position, state the name of the department in which you wish to work. • Target your applications, since many forms have limited space to display your skills, experience, and accomplishments. List your qualifications that match the specific job requirements. If possible, show knowledge of the employer and their products or services. • If you have gaps in your employment history, try listing positive ways you spent time while unemployed. Make your answer short, simple, and truthful. Examples include managing a household, volunteering, attending school or providing child care. If you volunteered for an organization, make note of the type of work you did. • When asked about salary requirements give a range or respond with “negotiable”. Use one of these responses even if you know the wage. You never know what the future holds, and you could negotiate a higher salary. Find easy to use salary ranges for more than 1,000 job titles at www.careerforcemn.com/explore/careers . You can also view more detailed information at mn.gov/deed/business/locating- minnesota/data/wage-data.jsp
91 Creative Job Search | CareerForceMN.com/CreativeJobSearch
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