Apply for Jobs
You’ve matched your qualifications to the perfect civilian role. Now, it’s time to confront your next challenge – the online job application.
Understanding Job Descriptions
Every job listing has a unique job description. Consider it your “mission from higher headquarters,” because as with any mission, you must have a full understanding of what’s expected of you to apply for the right job, write your resume and get an interview.
PURPOSE OF A JOB DESCRIPTION
Job descriptions outline the main duties and responsibilities involved in a job. They are written by the company’s hiring manager with assistance from the recruiter and HR personnel, and the purpose is to:
- Specify necessary skills and abilities to perform the job successfully within certain environmental conditions (your task, conditions and standards).
- Aid in the development of reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
- Describe legitimate minimum qualifications (specified and implied tasks).
- Serve as a reference guide for determining salary.
- Fulfill the needs of several HR processes, including recruitment, selection and appraisal, and job evaluation and training.
Did you know that job descriptions can be used to your advantage on your resume and application? Learn how in the next section.
Using The Job Description To Your Advantage
When you find a suitable job, it’s important to recognize why you are interested. Let’s break it down so you can leverage the information to your advantage.
Job Title
When searching for a job, remember that military and civilian job titles are similar, but the requirements could be vastly different.
PRO TIP: Learn how to translate your military skills in the Write a Resume section of this guide.
Location
Consider where the job is located and determine if you are willing to relocate there.
Company Overview
This is where you learn more about the company and its culture. Is this a place where you could see yourself?
Job Objective
Imagine yourself in this role and determine if it will be personally and professionally fulfilling.
Responsibilities
This paragraph is sometimes titled, “A Day in the Life Typically Includes.” This is your list of specified tasks. Review them and analyze your ability to perform them – to standard. (Note that this is where you identify your specified, implied and essential tasks.)
PRO TIP: In your resume and during your interview, you must be able to show competency in the tasks outlined in this section. To learn how to incorporate this into your resume properly, review the Make it Relevant section in this guide.
BASIC & PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
Basic requirements are non-negotiable – you must meet them all – but with preferred requirements, you can meet some or all and still compete for the job.
PRO TIP: Review the next section in this guide titled The Application to better appreciate the importance of these requirements when applying.
APPLY BUTTON
Do not push this button until you have taken the two-step test.
Two-Step Test
Do not push this button until you have taken the two-step test.
- Review the Basic Requirements listed in the job description and ask yourself: “Do I meet 100 percent of the requirements?”
a. If you do not, then you should start looking for another job.
b. If you do, move to Step 2.
- Review the Responsibilities. Then, ask yourself: “Do I have the skills and experiences to do everything that is expected of me on a daily basis?”
a. If not, you may still apply, but chances are you won’t get called for an interview.
b. If the answer is yes, you should get to work on your resume.
The Application
Applications are an important step in the official selection process, and your participation is absolutely required – no matter how badly a company desires your expertise.
To officially announce your desire for employment in a specific open role.
To make a legally defensible listing of the applicant’s employment history, educational background, degrees, qualifications, references and more. Most companies use online applications to streamline and simplify this data collection process.
Last year, nearly 30 percent of military veteran job seekers were disqualified because they did not provide proper responses to pre-screening questions. Avoid this stumbling block by following these simple rules of thumb:
- Basic Requirements: You must meet them all. During the application process, you will be asked to identify whether you meet the basic requirements listed in the job description. Do not apply if you do not meet every basic requirement exactly as stated in the question. Your application will be automatically rejected. No one will ever review your file or resume, and no one will ever pick up the phone to speak with you.
- Preferred Requirements: You can meet some or all. You will also be asked to identify whether you meet the preferred requirements listed in the job description. Apply, even if you don’t meet them all. Though you might be competing at a disadvantage, you could get the opportunity to speak to someone and overcome any professional deficiency identified with your answer.
- Start applying for open positions three to five months prior to your availability date.
- Before you apply for a role, verify your qualifications. Keep in mind that some military and civilian job titles are similar, but the requirements could be vastly different.
- Adjust your resume to emphasize your skills and qualifications that relate to the job description.
- Apply directly to that role.
- You may apply for multiple roles, but it’s best to apply for roles within your specific area(s) of expertise.
- Don’t forget to thoroughly review your application, ensuring that you completed all required fields.
- Attach your most updated resume.
- Alert each of your references.