Ever wondered why you never hear back from recruiters or hiring managers? Would you like to at least get a response or even feedback on your application? Then perhaps consider taking these 3 steps, you might just get a bite.

Go ahead and use the “apply button”, but also take the time to write a personalized email to the recruiter/hiring manager

Nothing says ‘I can’t be bothered’ like sending in a job application without acknowledging the recipient. It’s not enough to simply attach your cover letter and CV to an email with nothing else but a subject line. Take the time to introduce yourself and to thank the recipient for their time and consideration of your application. You don’t need to write much, just a couple of lines, enough to show the reader that you are truly interested in the role.

Start from scratch

Take the time to write a brand new resume that is specifically tailored to the role. The company is trying to fill a need, keep that in mind and customize both your CV and Cover Letter demonstrating how your education and experience will fill that need. Starting from scratch my feel like daunting task, but once you get started, you will quickly realize how your expertise really is a great fit. Pretend that you are writing a proposal, take a step back and look at the ad from their perspective, then look at what you can offer, and sell it!

Get introduced

Use your network of friends, family and colleagues to get a referral at the company that you are applying to. The fastest road to the interview is through a personal connection. LinkedIn and Facebook are great online tools that can connect you to the right individual. Follow the company news, comment and offer your expertise when appropriate. Use LinkedIn to showcase your work and to get endorsed for the key skills the company is looking for – the easiest way to get endorsements and recommendations is by reciprocating!

 

Remember, you are dealing with people, and people like to know that they will be working with a diligent and considerate individual. If you cut corners in the job application process, it’s a clear indication of your future work ethic. Imagine that the action of applying to the role is your very first assignment, so go ahead, and blow their socks off!

For more tips, here are some great reads on getting your application noticed:

How To Get Your Resume – and you! – Noticed In The Digital Age

5 Marketing Secrets That Will Help Your Resume Get Noticed

35 Surefire Ways to Stand Out During Your Job Search

The job search process has become extensive due to the rise of social media, writing the perfect resume has become the least of our worries. Not only do you have to have a CV and cover letter, but you now have to have a LinkedIn profile, professional Facebook presence, a Twitter handle and sometimes even a blog to keep up with the competition. That said, you can be a rock star in online networking, but if your resume is poorly constructed, your application will fall flat and won’t make the cut.

So before you hit the send button, make sure that your soon to be perfect resume includes these top tips.

A targeted and personalized cover letter: don’t send your resume on its own, introduce yourself in a professional cover letter, this is your first chance to impress so be polite and thank the reader for considering your application.

Contact information: please include a professional email address (no [email protected]) and a phone number. If you are applying as an overseas applicant, don’t forget the country and area code.

Summary: briefly describe your unique value proposition, highlighting your key accomplishments. Present yourself as a solution; remember the employer is trying to fill a need.

Work History: make sure that you only add experiences that are relevant to the job that you are applying to, and don’t leave any gaps.

Keep it Simple: make sure that your font is easy to read, Arial is best, and add some personality to it, but nothing over the top. Unless you are seeking a creative role such as graphic design, don’t add any fancy graphics. Limit it to 2 pages.

Include Degrees only: In your “education” section don’t add uncompleted course work, or university degrees. List the institution, qualification and graduation year.

Accomplishments: List achievements, not experiences. Employers want to see what you have succeeded to do, not what your duties were. For example, instead of noting “sales experience”, write “increased sales targets by X%”.

Your resume is your showcase – it should clearly and articulately display how your work experience and professional abilities speak to the job at hand. A job posting is a company’s expression of a need, a problem that needs solving, so make sure that your resume specifically speaks to how you will fill that need and solve that problem.

For all resume assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team will help you identify your strengths and highlight your accomplishments.