Beat the Odds – Job Search Strategies by the Numbers

Job searching is not an easy project in today’s employment market. There are no shortcuts to persistent hard work, networking, and follow up. 

Part of it is definitely a numbers game. Submitting to, say, 10 online postings may leave you with a sense of satisfaction, but it’s a mere drop in the bucket. Gone is the job market from 10 years ago where you could apply online and have decent odds of getting a call back.  Generally speaking, responding to only online postings in the job market will not generate the results you want.

The number of available applicants and the number of people applying online these days are just too high. Employers today are receiving many resumes for any one position. One effective way of getting yourself into that “call” pile is through networking and following up, and going the extra mile that many other applicants won’t. A few suggestions backed up by HR professionals:

• Differentiate yourself by connecting with people. Pick up the phone (or email) to follow up on submissions, or walking in or hand delivering a resume in to a company rather than emailing or mailing it. “If you are trying to get a job at a specific company, often the best thing to do is to avoid HR entirely. Find someone at the company you know, or go straight to the hiring manager.” Shawna Moerke, an HR administrator in Alabama
• Your resume should be fine-tuned so that it conveys your strengths and experience most appropriate to your target job position. “One size fits all” does not apply to resumes today. “Resumes don’t need color to stand out. When I see a little color, I smirk. When I see a lot of color, I cringe. We will judge you based on your email address, especially if it is something inappropriate.” Rich DeMatteo
• Resumes posted for online submissions must be effectively searchable based on the keywords. This is something that a professional resume writer can assist with or you can use www.preptel.com, a free online tool for job seekers. If you are finding yourself submitting primarily online for positions, it’s important that your resume contain the keywords that are in that company’s job posting to give yourself the best odds possible of getting into the review or “call” pile. “Most of us use applicant-tracking systems that scan resumes for keywords. The secret to getting your resume through the system is to pull keywords directly from the job description and put them on. The more matches you have, the more likely your resume will get picked and actually seen by a real person.” Chris Ferdinandi, HR professional, Boston area.
• Hiring opportunities can arise at any time. If you have had a chance to speak with a hiring manager of a target company that is not presently hiring, drop the hiring manager a thank you note or follow up letter as a way to keep your name top of mind and place his or her name on a call cycle to follow up in a few months. “Checking in once or twice if fine. But if you call and call, you’re not going to get the job, because you’re annoying.” HR manager at a medical equipment sales firm.

Take it from me and the HR experts, it’s not just a roll of the dice to get a job these days. Job search strategies are key. One last important note from an HR director in a health care facility: “When it comes to getting a job, who you know really does matter. No matter how nice your resume is or how great your experience may be, it’s all about connections.”

Please note resources for HR experts quoted in this blog: Yahoo article: “13 Things HR Won’t Tell You” and Readers Digest Work & Career article: “What HR People Won’t Tell You About the Job Interview.”

Connect with a resume writer and career strategist who can help you “win the odds” in your job search. Call or email today!