Final Checklist Before You Submit Any Application
Polish Your Resume Until It Shines
Your resume is your first handshake with a hiring manager. Make it firm, not floppy. Trim fluff like outdated internships or that barista gig from 2003. Focus on results, not tasks. Quantify achievements with numbers, like how you boosted server uptime by 20% or cut ticket resolution time by half. Tailor it to the job description, swapping keywords to match their lingo. Double-check for typos, because nothing screams amateur like misspelling cloud. Print it out and read it backward to catch sneaky errors. If it doesn’t scream you’re the solution to their problem, rewrite it. A resume isn’t a diary, it’s a sales pitch.
Triple-Check Your Online Presence
Your LinkedIn isn’t a museum, it’s a storefront. Update it to match your resume, because inconsistencies raise red flags. Swap that 2015 profile pic for something recent where you don’t look like you’re auditioning for a grunge band. Google yourself in incognito mode to see what employers see. If your old blog rant about PHP surfaces, delete it or pray it’s buried on page 10. Check your X posts for anything that could be misread as unprofessional, like that meme about hating Mondays. Ensure your GitHub shows recent commits, even small ones, to prove you’re active. If your digital footprint looks like a ghost town, you’re not serious. Fix it before you hit submit.
Verify Every Detail Like Your Job Depends on It
Before you click send, act like you’re defusing a bomb. Confirm the job title and company name are correct in every document. Check that you’ve attached the right files, not your D&D character sheet. Test any portfolio links to ensure they don’t 404. If the application asks for a salary range, don’t leave it blank or write negotiable. Research the market and give a realistic number. Read the job posting again to ensure you didn’t miss a required certification or keyword. Send a test email to yourself to catch formatting glitches. If anything feels off, pause and fix it. Sloppy applications get yeeted into the void.
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