All the forms you need for job hunting

Job hunting can be a laborious process. Add in the desire to make a killer impression from the get-go and you’ve got a recipe for stress.

If you find yourself in dire need of a change with a manager who’s driving you bonkers, setting off on a new career path or – unfortunately – if you’ve been let go, it’s time to put your best foot forward to land your next dream job.

And that means paperwork. In the rush to get out there, you probably don’t want to spend too much time dwelling on the bureaucratic side of things. You’ll likely come across a number of forms such as job application forms, background checks, and drug tests to name a few.

We’re here to help you skip the hassle of filtering through forms.

Step one: create your resume

Depending on the job you're applying for, you’ll want to keep your resume fairly short and concise. Here are some quick tips:

• focus on your most recent employment and build from there
• include a brief intro into who you are and what makes you tick
• reference why you’d be a good fit for the job in question - use language from the job ad!
• thank the company for considering your application

As with any cover letter or resume, you want to adapt it slightly each time to address the position you’re applying for. We’ve got you covered with a range of templates to kickstart the perfect resume. Use them as a guide or jump in to Lumin to personalize and save time crafting your own.

Resume content tips

Try to avoid overdressing your resume with color or fancy borders. While you might think you’re going to stand out, too much background noise could distract the viewer and make it difficult to read.

Highlight potential employers of the skills and experience that make you unique. Try not to be too generic, e.g. "great organisational skills". Relate it directly to a job you had or a project you worked on and provide examples.

Landing the job

There are many forms and processes that will be the same across the board, so it pays to take a look at current background check forms and drug test forms now so you can get ahead before you land a contract.

Browse the range of current forms and filter by category to get a feel for the information you’ll need to front up. Here are the main suspects you'll need:

I-9 form

Used to verify an employee's identity and employment authorization. All U.S. employers are required to submit this for every individual they hire.

I-765 form

For those who aren’t citizens to request employment authorization.

W-4

Used so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay.

You’ll also want to be prepared with forms of identification, bank account details, your work permit, criminal record, vaccination records and a credit report in many instances.

How employers can help ease the burden

From an employer’s perspective, it pays to make sure you’ve got all your documentation ready to go before you advertise a new position. This will ensure you avoid any last-minute scrambles for information your new employee might not have. Preparing standardized job application forms can really help you (and them) here. 

Secondly, familiarize yourself with industry requirements to make sure nothing is missed when you make a hire.

Luckily, forms can be filled and signed online, reducing the need for a printer and scanner. Less stress, mess and of course paperwork, which is why you’re here right?

Check out how Lumin's tools can make landing your next role as seamless as possible. Best of luck!