Just because you would be willing to take any job someone offers you does not mean you should apply for just any job. How can you evaluate job descriptions to decide if it is worth your time to submit an application?
Answer the following questions:
Do you have the required qualifications? Yes, employers are asking for the equivalent of the sun, moon, and stars in their preferred qualifications, but it’s the requirements you need to review most closely. Unfortunately, if the job mandates a bachelor’s degree, and you do not have one, it is extremely unlikely the applicant tracking system will pass along your resume. Similarly, if the job mandates five years of experience and you are a new college graduate with no real-world experience, it is probably a waste of time to apply.
Why are you the best person for the job? This is a different question than “are you minimally qualified?” Can you name several accomplishments in your work history that align you with the position?
Can you support your candidacy via your application materials? Copy and paste the job description into a file and highlight everything that you can support in your resume.
Does the job provide the experience you need to propel your career? There is nothing wrong with a lateral move where your title doesn’t change, but be sure to evaluate what you’ll be doing in the new job to decide if those skills will help you make your next move.
Is the salary in line with your needs? You may not know exactly how much the position pays, but it is up to you to do some research. Use Glassdoor.com and Salary.com to help research likely salaries for the positions that interest you.
Are you willing to relocate? If you know a position requires living in a particular city, and you are not willing to relocate there, you are barking up the wrong tree if you apply.
Read the entire post on U.S. News & World Reports.
