- Guest Contributor
- April 14, 2021
It is common in a job search to fill out an application and send your resume. You need to accurately convey your professional experience and offerings in these spaces. Sometimes, however, you might feel like your answers just weren’t enough if you’re just filling out an application. It could be because the application itself was limited by design. It could also be that you just didn’t feel like you said enough in the space provided. Either way, it’s a scary scenario – particularly when the stakes are this high and a job is on the line.
Of course, you might find yourself wondering: can you just attach your resume to the job application? It would help provide that much-needed context. The answer to that question requires you to keep a few key things in mind.
Optimize The Job Application
Generally speaking, you should always review the application in question. You should ensure you best highlight your experience within their form or using the available fields. A lot of thought goes into designing job applications. If you find that there are certain portions of your history or experience that don’t really have a good fit, the chances are high that this is by intention.
Remember that a lot of people are applying to this position. Hiring managers need to be able to quickly find the workers they’re looking for. You should do everything you can to stand out through just your application. It’s a standard the other job seekers are also being held to.
Consider Other Ways to Offer the Information
You might still feel like the application isn’t enough. Check to see if there are any other ways to communicate the information that is missing, like through job references.
Another good option is to offer to provide additional information. This works only if you only send it when they request it. Bombarding a recruiter or hiring manager can be a bad idea. Going too far in sending information outside of the parameters they set can show that you can’t follow rules. This can be detrimental to your search.
While you can send your resume even if it isn’t asked for, we don’t necessarily recommend it. Do your best to provide as much relevant information as possible in the spaces provided. Use the job application or your references to speak to your experiences and skills. Offer to provide more information if needed. Ideally, a hiring manager can get enough information from the job application and still choose you for the job.
About the Author: Stephen Lilley earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. Over the last decade as a professional writer he has written more than 15,000 unique pieces of content in areas ranging from entertainment to technology to finance, real estate and more.
