Between the hours you spend searching and applying for open positions, finding a new job is exhausting. The trickiest part about the whole process is the competition. How do you stand apart from the rest of the crowd and land a job that is right for you?
On Care.com, you’ve always had the opportunity to apply to jobs with families. But did you know that now you can also get hired by a company? So if you’re looking for a position with a child care, pet care, senior care, house cleaning or tutoring organization, you will be able to search for company positions and connect with corporate hiring managers.
Check out these tips for putting your best foot forward and landing the jobs you’re perfect for.
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Respond First
Whether you’re responding to a company or a family, being punctual is always wise. It sends the wrong signal when a company responds to your application and you don’t reply in a timely manner. Make sure you check your messages at least once a day and are always ready to make the next contact. To help you out, you can sign up for Care.com text messages that alert you about new jobs and messages from companies. To sign-up, simply scroll down to “Text Message Alerts” under “My Profile and Settings” and add your phone number for updates. -
Be Memorable
When a company posts a job, they can receive tons of applications. Make your profile unique by including any interesting responsibilities or roles you’ve had. For example, if you’re applying for a tutoring position, share that you helped a student go from getting straight C’s to straight A’s. Or if you’re a home aide, describe which activities you do with your clients to keep them engaged. Hiring managers need a reason to pay attention to you. You’re special, so make sure you share how in your profile. -
Define Your Skills
When searching for jobs, be sure to pay close attention to the keywords used in the jobs you’re interested in. Find ways to use the same language to describe your experience and skill set not only in your profile, but also in your application, correspondence and interviews.Since companies can also proactively contact you directly about an open position, be sure to pay close attention to the keywords the hiring manager uses in the message to describe the job. Respond accordingly and be sure to speak to the specific skills and experience they’re looking for in a candidate.
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Read The Job Description
Before applying to a position, examine it carefully. This will not only help you build a detailed and specific application, but it also helps you apply to only the positions that you’re a good fit for. For example, if you’re only available part-time, avoid applying for full-time positions. This may indicate a lack in attention to detail and will likely hurt any chances you might have to landing a part-time position with the company if and when one opens up. -
Ask For Reviews
Just like families, companies will have the ability to see your reviews on your profile. Having former employers speak on your behalf is an important and critical part of a job search. Reviews help distinguish you from other candidates and validate the experience and skills highlighted in your profile.So, be sure to ask your former employers to write a review for you on Care.com. If your previous employers aren’t Care.com members, don’t worry! To write a review, all they have to do is sign up for free basic membership.
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Be Professional
Above all else, the most important thing to consider when looking for a job is how professional you present yourself. When applying to company jobs or messaging with a hiring manager, avoid using overly casual language such as “hey” and popular online abbreviations including, “fwd,” “b/c,” and “pls.” From your profile description all the way to your interview, it’s important to make sure you are presenting your best, most professional self.Remember, your online presence is your chance to convince employers that you are the one to hire. Taking these tips to heart will help guide you through the hiring process and help you land your next great job.
If you’re not interested in being contacted for company jobs, you can simply opt out of this feature by going to your “Privacy Settings & Preferences” in your account. For tips on getting hired by families, read our article: 14 Ways to Get Families to Respond to You on Care.com.
