Yes, You Should Be Using The LinkedIn Easy Apply Feature.
Some of your favorite brands and dream companies all have pages on LinkedIn and often use it to recruit talent. In other words, if you're not using LinkedIn to find your next job opportunity - what are you waiting for sis?
Through LinkedIn's Easy Apply feature, you can literally apply for jobs within a minute or two.
No bs.
Here's how the LinkedIn Easy Apply feature works:
- Once you are logged into your LinkedIn account from the mobile app or your computer, click "Jobs" at the top of the page.
- Search for the job you want. After that, all of the jobs that match your search criteria will load. Any job that has the LinkedIn symbol with "Easy Apply" next to it are jobs with the Easy Apply feature.
- To make your life even easier, click "LinkedIn Features" that's at the top of the page after you search for your job, and filter for "Easy Apply".
- Fill in the details to apply for the job.
From there, your LinkedIn Easy Apply application is pretty straightforward. It'll typically just ask for your preferred email address, a place to enter a phone number, and an option to upload your resume.
#dassit
Occasionally the company will ask for a few extra things like a cover letter, work authorization information, and years of experience, but oftentimes, the Easy Appy process is very simple.
Because LinkedIn's Easy Apply feature is super easy, companies typically get A LOT of applicants.
However, before you let it discourage you, keep reading for a comprehensive list of things you can do to make sure your application stands out, and for things you should look for when using this feature.
Leave the selfies for IG.
GiphyThis should go without saying. Having a great photo speaks volumes, but having a bad photo (i.e. low resolution, using filters, posting selfies) could get you passed over.
Your photo should be high-resolution, professional, well-lit, and should reflect a positive image of you. When you apply for a job using Easy Apply, your photo is one of the first things that the recruiter will see so be sure to make your first impression, the best one.
Write a strong LinkedIn headline.
Your headline is one of the most important sections of your LinkedIn profile. Before employers see your resume or your complete profile, they have to select you from a long list of candidates. This candidate list includes the following information: your picture, name, location, and headline. Those four things are ALL employers have when deciding whether you're a good candidate or not (as you can see, first impressions are everything). If the employer sees that your headline doesn't line up with what they are looking for, you'll be passed over.
Related: Attract Job Recruiters On LinkedIn With These 4 Easy Steps
Align your location.
GiphyEnsure that your location aligns with where you're looking for jobs, not necessarily where you currently live or work. At times when employers are viewing your Easy Apply application, they'll look at your profile and may pass you over if your location that's listed doesn't align with the organization's needs.
Don’t slack on the Skills and Endorsements sections.
There is an option to "View critical match" for the employer and it shows the recruiter a breakdown of how well your profile aligns with the job description.
The "Skills" area above is made up of the keywords you entered into your Skills & Endorsements profile section, as well as words you used throughout your profile. When looking for the candidate that will be the best fit, recruiters will often use the "View critical match feature".
Use keywords everywhere - literally.
GiphyAs you are updating your profile, your text in your profile MUST include keywords that match the job description. Use variations of filter keywords in your profile summary and job descriptions (For example, if you're looking for a role as a social media manager, you would include things like "social media", "marketing", and "content strategy" as your keywords). Be sure to include technologies you have used in your list of skills as well.
Make sure your profile is 100% complete BEFORE you apply.
The first thing a recruiter will do after they receive your Easy Apply app is look at your LinkedIn profile. Before you start applying to jobs, you need to make sure your profile is good and accurate AF. In other words, your profile picture should be on point, and all of your jobs and relevant skills should be listed with keyword-rich descriptions.
Related: Don't Sleep On LinkedIn
Go ahead and customize your profile and resume.
GiphyIf the role you're applying for is different than your current skills and experience (even a little), you must craft your profile to show how you can be a good fit in the new role. Use the summary section to talk about how you are ready for more responsibilities, have been doing the work in another capacity, or how you are taking courses to bring your skills to meet the job requirements.
On the same note, including your resume is not mandatory for most Easy Apply jobs, but attaching a customized resume will help you stand out from the other Easy Apply applicants. Just like you would do with any other job you are applying to, you should ALWAYS customize your resume. It doesn't matter if you are applying for the job on the company's website, Indeed, or through LinkedIn, customization is key.
Don’t forget the cover letter.
If you really want to boss things up, you should include a customized cover letter for the job you are applying to.
Since Easy Apply only gives you the option to upload one attachment, include your cover letter in the same PDF file as your resume so that it's a single document to upload. Just make sure it's on a different page, but saved altogether in the PDF.
Be the follow up King (or Queen).
GiphyCompanies typically get hundreds of applicants per job posting so taking the extra steps to stand out and follow up with the recruiter is a must.
For some Easy Apply job postings, you can see who posted the job. If not, just do your research on LinkedIn, and I'm sure you can find the right person to contact.
Please note: Finding a contact on LinkedIn ain't hard y'all. If you can find your boyfriend's ex-girlfriend from 10 years ago profile on IG, you can use those same research skills to find the recruiter for the company.
After you apply, follow up with a nice, thoughtful email (or in-mail if you're using LinkedIn). Let them know that you have applied, share your elevator pitch, and include your contact information just in case they're ready to schedule your interview.
Tweet us and let us know how you like Easy Apply! Good luck on your job search!
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Featured image by Getty Images
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Brittani Hunter is a proud PVAMU alumni and the founder of The Mogul Millennial, a business and career platform for Black Millennials. Meet Brittani on Twitter and on the Gram at @BrittaniLHunter and @mogulmillennial.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line CÉCRED & Here's My Honest Review
Beyoncé is snatching our wallets yet again with her latest business venture CÉCRED. In 2023, the Texas native hinted at a potential haircare line when she posted this photo causing fans to speculate that her next project would be focused on her famous tresses - they were right. Her haircare line Cécred launched on February 20 with her first drop called The Foundation Collection which focuses on haircare first, and I can only assume that a style product line for colored-treated hair will likely follow since Beyoncé is known for slaying various shades of blonde.
As a super fan since the early 2000s, it was only right that I give an honest review of the full line and purchase the Super Fan Bundle (retailed at $265) which includes the full product line of the 8 products, as well as a branded cosmetic bag. If you’re thinking, “Girl that bundle is too pricey for me,” I can assure you that for the value you're getting, the price is quite reasonable. This bundle was an intentional and marketable way to allow consumers to experience every Cécred product.
The brand messaging surrounding Cécred has been salon-inspired, and rightfully so as an ode to Beyoncé’s upbringing growing up in her mother’s hair salon in Houston. This line is backed by science and licensed cosmetologists showing that she’s done her research and appointed the experts. Cécred's IG feed has been filled with images and videos inside of hair salons including some videos of Ms. Tina herself assisting in the styling of beauty experts who visited Cécred's private salon to have the VIP treatment!
Now, have I seen influencers, consumers, and beauty stylists using the Foundation Collection at home? Yes, but I thought it was best to experience Cécred with my go-to cosmetologist who also happens to be my Auntie Tawana. She has been my educator and go-to for hair knowledge since I was a child and has had a hand in my mom's hair health which has always been goals for me. As a little girl, my Saturdays were spent sitting in her hair salon while my mama got her hair done as I patiently waited reading Jet and ESSENCE, ever so carefully eavesdropping on the conversations of the ladies who were coming for much more than just a beauty routine, but an experience.
I’d fall asleep on the plush couch in the waiting area flipping through magazines while listening to the sultry sounds of Maxwell. And I had my first lesson in breakup empowerment when I heard Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before.” So there was no other place for me to go than to see her, and because I’m her niece, I was able to visit her private salon in her home that she calls The After Hours where upon arrival I was greeted with my favorite Black-owned sparkling Rosé, candles lit, and my aunt’s breakdown of Cécred.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
But let me refocus and share my salon experience as I tried Cécred for the first time.
If You’re Wondering…Who is Cécred For?
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
When news of Beyoncé potentially launching a beauty brand hit the internet, there were a bunch of predictions of what and who the line would be marketed towards and if she’d have any wig care products as she’s known for slaying her units! But she went in a totally different direction which I love, and I’m going to tell you why. Critics have questioned if Beyoncé should be venturing into the haircare industry because she is often seen in weaves and wigs, but true Beyoncé fans know that she has healthy hair and that, like many Black women, experiments with various styles.
Cécred was created for all hair types and textures, including straight to coily, virgin, color-treated, chemically processed, and heat-styled. As a Black woman who has worn wigs, had chemically processed hair, heat-styled, natural, and color-treated hair, let me tell you, this was no easy feat! The amount of money I’ve spent on my hair through its various changes just on product alone, forget styling has been astronomical.
Cécred is serving the needs of various hair types in textures and I truly believe that this is going to make Beyoncé a true competitor in the hair industry amongst brands that are comparable such as OUAI and Olaplex. Both competitor brands have similar items at a higher price point and unlike Cécred, their products and brand messaging haven’t always felt inclusive to Black women and other hair types.
Cécred has been tested inclusively and the reviews from various hair types and backgrounds of consumers are allowing the brand to stand out.
I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line Cécred: My Honest Review
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
My hair has never felt cleaner and it shined for well over a week following the styling (but the oil should be used sparingly if like me, oil can weigh down your hair.) Immediately when my hair touched the sink, my aunt told me that she saw all the dirt and oils lifting from my hair when she applied the clarifying shampoo. As a girl who loves my curls, I am often judgy when I use any other shampoo and conditioner aside from Pattern, but not this time.
When my aunt guided my hands across my hair, she showed me how my curls weren’t tangled, and how she didn’t need to comb out my curls before applying the moisturizing deep conditioner or the deconstructing treatment mask.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
She applied each step with care and walked me through the process, and to my surprise, the hair mask wasn’t thick - but through trial and error as a natural girl, I’ve learned that a thick mask doesn’t always equal what’s best for your hair. She styled me with a silk press that left my hair with shine and I can honestly say that each step of the line is needed especially if you are someone who changes up your hair and deals with breakage. If your hair is healthy, you can opt out of the reconstructing treatment mask but I recommend taking the product line to your salon, having a discussion with your stylist on where your hair health needs improvement, and then purchasing based on that.
We know ourselves better than anyone else, but your stylist knows your hair better than you do. I like to lead with their knowledge first and then incorporate what my hair goals are. If you’re a girly who’s committed to hair health and has either the discipline to incorporate each step at home or can bring your products to the salon, Cécred is for you no matter if you’re a silk press or a wash-and-go naturalist.
Give Cécred a try, I’ll be using the line for my hair appointments until it runs out and if I see long-term results, it will be added to the beauty regimen indefinitely.
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Featured image courtesy of CÉCRED