How to Create an Application That Will Get You Hired

With ZippyApp, resumes are a thing of the past. No need to upload your resume over and over for each job you apply to. Instead, enter your experience and the days and hours you’re available to work into the template we provide you. We bring your application to life by making it social, engaging, and interactive. Our modern technology allows you to be more creative; offering features like photo and video uploads, and the ability to post your application to social media channels. Our fresh take on the application process streamlines the hiring process by allowing hiring managers to easily digest your information. With dozens of applicants however, you want to make sure yours gets noticed.

Here are some tips on how to help make your application stand out from the crowd, and get you hired!

• Upload your picture to ZippyApp. Our photo tool is an easy way to make yourself stand out. However, be wary as this can be a double-edged sword. Do post one of you in an appropriate setting. Don’t post one that is not work appropriate—a photo of you partying with friends is a definite no-no!
• Take advantage of ZippyApp’s video tool. Video resumes are quickly growing in popularity—if you type “video resume” on YouTube you will get over 800,000 hits! This is because they are a great way to display your personality and get your foot in the door for an interview. Just be sure to keep these things in mind:
  • Keep it short and sweet. You don’t want the viewers, your potential employers, to get bored.
  • Define the value you bring to the company. This tells hiring managers why they should hire you.
  • Explain why you are the best fit. Think about the position(s) you will be applying to and how your previous experience lines up. Make sure your personality reflects that.

• Use a professional email address. This is how potential employers will contact you. Keep this in mind if you are planning to use that email address you created your freshman year of high school.
• Tailor your application for each submission. An awesome feature on ZippyApp is we provide you with a Master application, one you are able to modify it before any submission. Take advantage and tailor your application for each job you apply to. Research the company culture to see if it is laid-back, or more conservative and upper-scale. Make sure your application reflects that. This will show you have taken the time to learn what the company is looking for, and why you are the best fit.
• Add other types of experience. Your previous experience does not have to be about work. This is an important thing to note, especially if you have never had a job before. Did you participate in sports? Were you a member of your high school Drama Club? Have you tutored in math? Volunteered at a homeless shelter? All of these are topics you can add to this section.
• Use descriptive words to demonstrate your qualities. Phrases like “took initiative” and “provided excellent customer service,” and words like “led” and “delegated” show leadership and stand out.
• Think beyond job titles . Rather than just putting down your past job titles, use short sentences to describe your previous positions. Think about ways you helped your previous employer. For instance “Dishwasher” may not sound too exciting, but “streamlined back of house operations” not only sounds better, but also fully encompasses what you brought to the table.
• Never talk or write badly about a previous employer. Even if your reason for leaving was on a sour note, you never want to talk badly about a past employer. Instead, always emphasize what you have learned and gained from your past positions. Think about it — if you talk badly about your previous employer, what would stop you from talking badly about a new one?
• Open up your availability. Of course only put down the times and days you are open and available to work. But keep in mind you may need to be a little more flexible with your schedule when applying. Sure, you might want weekends off, but who doesn’t? If it comes down to you and another candidate who has a more flexible schedule, chances are you’ll be passed up.
• Add any training and certifications you may have. Just like your experience doesn’t always have to about where you have worked, your education doesn’t always have to be about where you went to school. Instead, include any certifications and training you may have done. This demonstrates not only knowledge, but shows when you commit to something, you stick with it.
• Don’t add mom, dad or grandma as a reference. Of course they are going to say good things about you. As a matter of fact, many employers don’t even bother looking at your references for the same reason. If you do choose to include references, or if the hiring manager asks for them, past managers and teachers are great to use. Just be sure to let them know ahead of time that someone may be reaching out.

Have any application ideas to share? Comment and let us know! And be sure to share on your social media channels to help your friends get hired to.