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Many people rush through their job applications, but that’s a big mistake. You want to ensure that you put your best foot forward and show the company why you’re the perfect fit for the job. However, you’ll never be able to stand out from the competition if you don’t know what to do before applying for a job. With these seven things to do before applying for a job, your application will blow any other applicant out of the water and land you an interview with little trouble at all!

1.  Get your CV up to date

A CV (curriculum vitae) is basically your resume. If you already have a good resume and just need to update it, ask for assistance from someone who has strong writing skills to help edit or re-write your CV. For example, if you’re applying for a job as an editor, use a colleague who is also an editor to proofread your document. This way, you’ll get feedback on how well you’ve been expressing yourself and also make sure that spelling and grammar are correct—and these details really do matter!

2. Research the Company

Spend some time on the company’s website and social media pages. Look at their mission, goals, product and service offerings, and their team. Search them on Glassdoor to see what others are saying about working there. This will give you insight into how people feel about working at that company. It will also help you identify any potential red flags that may tell you whether or not it’s worth applying or if it’s even a good fit for your experience level and career aspirations.

3. Reach out to Former Colleagues

There’s nothing wrong with sending an email to your contacts asking them to pass along your resume or to just give you some advice on how to best market yourself. It might feel like begging, but you’re showing that you have skin in the game and are willing to do what it takes. And if they won’t forward your resume, they almost certainly know someone who would be more than happy to read it. (Plus, many employers will ask where else you are applying.)

4. Find Out About The Culture

Look at your prospective employer’s website and see what it says about its company culture. If you’re lucky, you can even get to know some of your future co-workers through social media. Talk to people who are currently employed by your potential employer, on or off-the-record (if it’s a smaller organization) and ask them about their experience working there. What do they like? What don’t they like? If you’re already doing work in that industry, find out if there are any trade groups or professional organizations where you can talk to people who work there directly. Find out what’s great, what’s not so great and even why they chose to leave.

5. Review all Requirements

Confirm you have all of the requirements listed on your job application. While some jobs are fairly easy to fill out (title, name, email address, etc.), others might have more specific requirements—including those you can’t control. For example, if you’re applying for an account manager position in Pretoria with extensive experience managing existing clients from Durban and Cape town, most employers will also want to see professional references from both regions as well. If you’re missing any requirements and want to avoid getting cut out of contention early on, go ahead and reach out with questions about whether your background is acceptable or if there’s something else that needs to be added (or removed).

6. Write an Inspiring Cover Letter

First impressions count. To really get your foot in that door, you have to make sure you’re looking and feeling as good as possible. First impressions are generally made when you walk into an interview, but they begin well before then. A good cover letter is one of your best opportunities to make a great first impression. Here are seven things you should do when putting together an application package before applying for jobs.

7. Don’t forget about References

When you’re first starting out in your career, references can feel unnecessary. And while they’re not 100% necessary—most recruiters and employers will conduct basic background checks on you anyway—not having them is something to avoid if possible. When applying for a job, you usually have to list three professional references who are familiar with your work. When choosing these three people, pick people whose opinions are important to you and make sure they know that their reference of you is required and why it’s important that they complete it. In some cases, employers ask questions such as What was [your name] like to work with? or How would you describe his/her strengths? when evaluating job candidates.

Conclusion

Your job search will be smoother and more successful if you take some time to plan ahead. Make sure you’re focusing on your career goals and that your application materials are well-crafted and convey an accurate picture of who you are. When you take these measures, hiring managers will not only be impressed with your knowledge and preparation but they’ll also have confidence in placing you at their company – increasing your chances of getting hired! Good luck!