Day 17: The Application Process

Today you will learn all the steps of the job application process, why employers have each step, and how to work the process with ease.

Summary

What Does the Application Process Look Like?

Depending on your industry, the recruiting funnel or application process you go through will look something like the following:

• Initial application (often written)
• Short phone screen
• Test task, or follow-up ask
• Longer phone screen or video interview
• Test project
• Half-day or full-day interview (panel interview)
• Reference and/or background check
• Offer letter
• Negotiation
• Final offer letter

Why Do Employers Have So Many Steps?

Employers hate risk. One risk stands above all the others which is that they hire you and you don't work out. This would cost the employer a lot of money.

During the application process, employers have a lot of anxiety about:

• You won't be able to do the job.
• You lack the necessary skills or experience, and the hiring interview won't uncover this.
• You'll only stay around for a few weeks or at most a few months until you find a better job.
• You'll take too long to master the job. Thus it'll be too long before you turn a profit for the organization.
• You won't get along with other workers there, or you will develop a personality conflict with the boss.
• You will only do the minimum that you can get away with rather than the maximum that the boss was hoping for.
• You will always have to be told what to do next rather than taking initiative.
• You might have a disastrous character flaw, not evident in the interview or application process, and ultimately reveal yourself to be either dishonest, irresponsible, or an employer's worst nightmare.

The main thing the employer is trying to figure out during the hiring process is, will you be part of the solution there or just another part of the problem.

‍How to Get Prepared for the Process

In the activity below you will complete the follow steps:

• Setup your tracking system
• Schedule your time
• Set goals
• Network for accountability

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Activity

Download today's worksheet and complete the exercises inside of the worksheet.

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Skill Lesson Mastered

Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson by applying it to the above activity. If, and only if, you have a full understanding and have mastered the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson, select the next lesson in the navigation.