Filling out Applications for a new job
When you are looking for any type of job, there is no doubt you are going to need to fill out an application. Most of the time you can pick up an application and bring it home, or you can even fill it out online. Sometimes you are able to fill them out on the spot, but you don’t have all the information to fill it out and you lose valuable evaluation time which may cost you the job.
If you are applying to multiple jobs and filling out application after application, it’s probably getting time consuming and annoying continuously trying to think of references and getting phone numbers and addresses.
In order to make the whole application process easier, you will need a resume. I’m not necessarily talking about an official resume; you may never give it to anyone. It will be more of a reference sheet.
What to include on your reference sheet
1. When you work at a job, you are gaining job experience. When you leave on a good note, not when you’re fired, it’s important to keep all information about this job.
Record in your reference sheet:
-The name of the business
-The name of your manager
-The business’s phone number
-The business’s address
-A number where they could reach your manager, if possible
-If you can get it, a recommendation letter
Getting a recommendation letter will probably only be possible if they really loved you. This is why you always need to work your hardest. You are always trying to sell yourself.
If your references are for a large corporation with continually changing managers and if they are old, the information may be outdated. They usually only ask for the past 3 jobs, so use the most recent. Still, always keep track of ALL of them, just in case. One older job might be more relevant for the new job you are applying to.
2. Keep track of general references. In addition to work references, they usually ask you for other people to contact. This could be someone who is a family friend that has known you for years. It could be a teacher, the leader of a volunteer group you’re a part of, or anyone that knows you well and will give you a good recommendation.
You can’t control how much job experience you have, but you can control your references. Try to have at least 3, preferably 5.
Record in your reference sheet:
-Name
-Phone number
-Address
-Relation to you
-Possibly a recommendation letter
Make sure you choose someone that you know will have something nice to say about you. Most people aren’t rude enough to actually bad mouth you, unless they have good reason, but you never know. It’s best to contact them and ask if you can use them as a reference.
3. Keep track of all your schooling. If you’re still in high school, it’s probably hard to forget which school you go to and what grade you are in, but still include it. As you progress in school, include every school you’ve gone to.
How to set up your reference sheet
The best way to do it is to type it up and save it to your computer. You may even decide to use a spreadsheet to easily add things to it and move it around. First, include all your past job experience, then school, and finally, references.
Keep a hard copy with you whenever you are looking for a job or going for interviews. You might even want to keep a copy in your purse or wallet at all times, just in case. It will come in handy whenever a surprise application comes up and will making filling out any application much easier.
