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Job hunting is hard no doubt.
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In the first place, spend a lot of time and mental energy refining your job search so that only the right ones reach your inbox for follow-up. Then there’s the application process, phone calls, emails … and hopefully a subsequent interview.
It’s important to remember that getting a new job takes time. A 2018 study by RandstadUS found that it took about 5 months from start to finish. Within the last five months, on average, we will create four different edited versions of resumes (and four cover letters), submit seven job applications, and attend five interviews.
It all sounds exhausted. But what if you don’t get an interview as a result of that effort? Is there anything I can do to increase my chances? The good news is: There are five strategies: Good luck!
The first thing you see is your resume. It’s too easy to take a resume that you’ve saved in a file for several years from a folder, pass it over again, attach it to your application, and think “work is done”. But the fact of the matter is that if you want to get attention, each job you apply for will require a coordinated approach.
Check the CVs line by line to make sure that all of the CVs are up-to-date and relevant to the job you are applying for. Remove old, outdated, or unwanted experiences. Adjust your personal statement appropriately and make sure you have keywords that match the keywords in the Roles and Responsibilities section of your classified ad (so that your recruiting manager knows at a glance that you’re right). Make sure all contact information is correct. Update new skills, new professional qualifications, or other professional achievements you have acquired. Keep it simple. Two pages is enough.
Only 47% of job seekers write cover letters. This means that you have a 53% chance of differentiating yourself. Make your application stand out with a well-written cover letter that explains what you can do and why you excel in this role.
As with your resume, you will need to adjust your cover letter for each job you apply for. Yes, it’s more work, but it’s also likely to be rewarded. If you know the name of the hiring manager, use it on top of the common “Dear sir / madam”.
Aim to include a specific instance of a project or outcome, along with KPIs or numbers to back up the example. Please explain how you succeeded in your previous role. This will give your employer a taste of what you can do. Incorporate keywords from the job description. Recruiters and recruiters, who are often busy with time, can use the software to help narrow down candidates. Therefore, this is an immediate shortcut for viewing the application.
Many hiring processes begin with an advance call from the hiring manager or hiring manager. They will often ask you to book a time on their calendar and have a quick chat 10 minutes or 15 minutes or so. It’s a mistake to think this isn’t a big deal yes.
This first call is not only aimed at getting basic information about your skills and qualifications, but also at assessing your interest in work. The recruitment manager wants to know you and from this phone you decide if you should proceed to the first round.
Take the phone seriously. Get ready, put together a case study, think about why you want to work for the company, and prepare a salary forecast. This may be a question asked at this stage. Please follow up with a thank you email after that.
It’s a really simple reason, and it’s completely out of your control. It’s not uncommon for companies to step into the waters of recruitment and decide that it won’t go any further. There are many possible reasons for this. The company may check the quality of candidates that competitors may have hired, or it may have actually hired internal candidates instead.
About the author:
Kirstie works for Jobbio, a job board partner.
Based in Dublin, she has been a writer and editor across printing and digital platforms for over 15 years.
