Job Seeekers – Page 2 – ZippyApp Blog

The Cover Letter Debate

Posted on March 3, 2015May 21, 2015 by zippyapp

Cover letter, or no cover letter? Different hiring managers have different perceptions on this. One argument is that it depends on the position you are applying to, however, that doesn’t ring true for jobs on ZippyApp. On average and across all types of jobs on our platform, users who attach a cover letter get contacted 50% more than those who don’t — that’s a huge difference!

So now that you know you do need a cover letter to up your chances of landing the job, the question becomes how do you write a cover letter that will get you noticed? Here are some pointers to get you started!

For starters, it’s important to know the purpose of a cover letter. One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is that they repeat the information that is in their resume or application. This is a sure way to get your application passed over. Hiring managers don’t want to read information they know will be in your application. Instead, use your cover letter to entice hiring managers to learn more about you, and want to look at your application. Be sure to highlight and explain why you are the best fit for the position. A great way to think about this is to put yourself into the hiring managers shoes — explain how you will solve their problem.

The biggest challenge when applying for a job is making yourself stand out. Using the right keywords is a great way to get noticed! The company’s profile and job description on ZippyApp is a great start in obtaining the right keywords. For example, a key part of Asian Box’s job descriptions is to be “friendly,” while being a “team player” is a requirement of joining the CREAM team. In a cover letter to Asian Box, you might say “my friendly and outgoing personality will provide a better customer experience, which will contribute to more repeat customers.” Not only are you using keywords Asian Box is looking for, you are also explaining how you will fix their problem.

Here is an example cover letter:

Mary Smith

March 3, 2015,

Dear Hiring Manager,

I wish to apply for the Server position with The Counter team, which is advertised here on ZippyApp. I have no doubt I have the capabilities of handling all requirements of the position, and have included my application for your review.

My excellent people skills will provide memorable dining experiences for customers, in-turn providing repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals. I am currently attending San Jose State University, where I am studying Hospitality Management and want to pursue a career in restaurant management. I also worked as a Host and a Server at Spaghetti Factory, and can provide you with glowing references from past managers.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak more with you about what I have been doing in detail, and would love to hear more about this position. Thank you so much for considering my application today!

Best Regards,

Mary Smith

Key Take-Aways:

Tailor your cover letter for each job you are applying to.
Use keywords specific to each company to make your cover letter stand out.
Don’t repeat the information hiring managers will find in your application.
Do highlight and explain why you are the best fit for the position.
Explain to hiring managers how you will solve their problem.

How to Create an Application That Will Get You Hired

Posted on February 24, 2015May 21, 2015 by zippyapp

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.

Job Seeking Has Gone High Tech with ZippyApp

Posted on February 11, 2015May 21, 2015 by zippyapp

When I was in college, I quickly learned my social habits were burning a hole in my knock-off designer wallet. To finance them, I needed a job. Preferably a serving gig since this type of job was going to give me a flexible schedule (not to mention tips!)

I went on foot to local restaurants by the University to see which ones were hiring. By the end of the day, my feet were sore and I had a stack of applications to take home. By the time I finished all of them, on top of juggling a full-time student schedule, it has been a week! I ended up landing a job at a family friend’s restaurant, which was pretty fortunate since I hardly got any call-backs from the applications I dropped off — and when I did receive the call-backs, I was already employed!

But a lot has changed since I was in college, and now job seeking has gone high tech with ZippyApp! Even though some organizations now allow you to upload your resume online, you still have to take the time to fill in the same information over and over. Oftentimes, you don’t receive a reply because these types of applications go to headquarters and not the local place. Rather than having to hike it on foot restaurant to restaurant, or filling in the same information application after application, I can now upload ONE application online and apply to hundreds of jobs in just a few clicks.

So how does this work?

Zippy Tip: Your email is an important part of your profile. This is what potential employers will use to contact you. Don’t use an unprofessional email address! Instead, create a free using Gmail or Yahoo. It only takes a minute!

Continue building your unique work profile by editing your Application, Resume, and Cover Letter. Keep in mind that the more information you include, the more likely you are to get call-backs!

Zippy Tip: We will tell you what percent of your profile is complete. Use this to help guide you in knowing if you should include more information.

Navigate to the Jobs section of our website to see the latest job opportunities in your area.

Zippy Tip: Use the Search tool on the left-hand side of the screen to narrow your inquiry down by location and/ or keywords such as the position title or business name.

Once you have found a good match (or two or three — you can apply to as many as you’d like!), click the Apply button.

Zippy Tip: You can choose to submit your current application as it is (this is your Master Application), or tailor it to the specific job.

Check your inbox for email confirmations of your submissions. You may have to check your Spam or Junk inboxes if you did not receive.

Zippy Tip: Use the Submissions section of your profile to remember where you have applied, and keep tabs on which jobs you need to follow up with.