Knowing What You Applied For

As a recruiter I hear this all the time. I contact anhear a response asking you what role this and
employee that has responded to an ad and theirthey do not know anything about the job
first response is, "now what position is this as Iresponsibilities. For me, the job search process
have been applying for a lot". It is one of theand interview starts with the application - not with
largest turnoffs and most certain ways to ensurethe interview. If someone is really professional,
that you are not placed in front of the list ofthey will spend their time actively pursuing
possible candidates for consideration. Abundantlypositions that are a match, requiring the skills they
clear is that people do not manage their careerhave and being with a company they can respect.
search effectively by reviewing opportunities andIf the time is taken up front, hiring managers
applying to ones of interest, but rather blast theirquickly recognize the difference in candidates.
resumes across countless forums and hopeLets keep it honest, not everyone will remember
something sticks. Be different, pay attention.each and every detail of the positions they applied
Job seeking can be a full time profession if one isfor. Daily lives and current job responsibilities
dedicated to the task. From researchingrequire our attention therefore placing future
companies and possible opportunities, toopportunities on the edge of our frontal brain.
networking with professionals and associations toWith that being said, be aware of it and keep a
learn of the best opportunities, a person can filllist of the roles you applied for. This list should
their day with seeking tasks that otherwise goconsist of when you applied, where you saw the
overlooked by the normal candidate. The largestrole, a brief description on what they were looking
difference between such seekers is the impactfor, as well as why you applied. Any contact
that they make when speaking to a recruiter orinformation or identifiable information on the
HR person that makes initial contact. That personcompany should be placed on the list as well.
knows full well what they applied for, when, andWhen someone calls, you can quickly grab the list
what interested them about the role. Imagineand be aware of the subject matter rather than
calling someone, telling them that their resumeasking questions that make you appear
matches well to the role they applied for, only tonon-interested or unprepared.