Have you forgotten the very basic job tips? Or fearful that you might have?
Drop the Fear Monster and read these basics that will see you through to your successful interview.
There’s so much available information about job hunting online; some of it completely contradicts other advice you thought might be useful. You will find that it can easily overwhelm you.
So let me boil things down to a short list of timeless job-searching tips that are sound and will never go out of style.
1. How can you bypass the applicant tracking system (ATS) in order to get your resume in front of a live person?
You may think that an ATS is the bane of your job-searching existence, but it can work in your favor if you know what to do. Read on.
When you apply for a job online, it’s very likely that your resume will be screened first by an applicant tracking system. Then, assuming you make this first cut, the resume will be flagged and scheduled to be reviewed by a human.
Make it easy for the ATS and the human reader
You should make your resume very straightforward for BOTH the computer and the human to understand and quickly connect with what they’re looking for.
- Are you reiterating the words and phrases in the job description?
- Are you showcasing your strengths in those areas that are of greatest importance to this role according to the job description?
Make sure all the answers to these questions are a resounding “Yes”!
Bonus points
Pick out the keywords in the job description and make sure you include them in your resume – verbatim.
2. The importance of referrals cannot by overstated
If you want that job search to go on forever, well then, continue to rely solely on submitting online applications. Online applications only are a sure fire way not to get the job your want and not get the interviews with companies that are high on your list.
It’s all about enhancing the basic steps
You want to be able to enhance the online application process with referral sources that can substantiate your interests and your abilities. In other words, don’t stop once you apply online for that position. Start finding people in your network that work for that company and ask for informational interviews.
Bonus points
If you can obtain a personal referral from someone that works at that company of interest, your odds of getting an interview will increase exponentially.
3. It is time to update your LinkedIn Profile
It is a sure thing that the recruiters to whom you are applying will be looking at your LinkedIn profile to see if your experience and dates of employment match your resume. Double and triple check this. A typo in either place could be the difference in whether or not you get the interview.
If your LinkedIn profile doesn’t position you as a direct match for a particular role that you’re applying for, don’t be afraid to modify wording, switch around key terms, and add bullet points.
LinkedIn is the most powerful tool for job search. It’s by far the best resource we have available today for career and job search networking, for finding people working at companies of interest, and for positioning yourself to be found by a recruiter who has a relevant job opening.
Your LinkedIn profile is not a static document. It should be updated and refreshed frequently.
Bonus points
Don’t forget to turn off your activity broadcast under the privacy section. If you’re currently employed, you don’t want your current boss to be alerted that you are looking for something new..
4. Your thank-you note matters
Consider crafting an original, genuine thank-you note, one for each interviewer the moment you get back to a computer following the interview. The speed with which you send the notes, and the quality, will make an impact.
A thank-you note makes the difference for you to stand out from the other candidates that have been interviewed. When I have reminded my candidates to send thank-you notes, most of them received an offer of employment.
Now, go ahead and show your job search exactly Who’s The Boss.