It’s hard not to feel your resume ended up unnoticed in someone’s overfilled inbox during your job hunt. It’s frustrating not hearing back from a potential employer for days, or sometimes even weeks on end. In today’s world, ATS software is part of the hiring process at most large-scale companies. However, there are real people on the other end of that software, sorting through hundreds of applications, trying to narrow the candidate field to match their needs. You want to ensure that out of hundreds of resumes, yours stands out as the best fit for the position.
The most crucial thing in your job search is truly understanding the job you are applying for: are you qualified for the job, and is it a job you actually want to do? You are more likely to hear back from jobs you applied to that fit your professional experience. It isn’t about how many jobs you apply for; there isn’t a quota for applications that you need to achieve. It’s about the quality of the jobs you are applying for, not the quantity. Once you know exactly what kind of position you are looking for and you are ready to submit an application, keep the following in mind:
- READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION FROM START TO FINISH - UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
- IDENTIFY WHAT ABOUT THIS JOB IS MOST ATTRACTIVE TO YOU
- REVIEW YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EVALUATE IF YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE THE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED
- MAKE NOTE OF WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM YOU UPON APPLICATION
- TAKE YOUR TIME WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION - THOROUGHLY READ AND ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
- DOUBLE CHECK ALL YOUR RESPONSES - MAKE SURE ALL I‘S ARE DOTTED AND T’S ARE CROSSED
- SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AND THINK POSITIVE VIBES - IT DOESN’T HURT TO ROOT FOR YOURSELF!
Don’t Forget to Follow Up!
Once you’ve received feedback from the company about your application, follow up occasionally. Some applications may be overlooked or misplaced with the large influx of applications. Reminding the company of who you are on occasion is okay. If you have been interviewed but did not make it through to the next round, follow up with a thank-you email telling them to keep you in mind should anything come up that matches your experience.
A Valid Investment
Doing these things will cost more of your time upfront, but can potentially shorten your overall job search. Double checking your work and making these changes means you are submitting great applications to employers. In turn, employers are more likely to respond, and that is definitely worth your time.
According to the media, the Canadian Retail Industry is all doom and gloom, but we have a different take. Read on to see our Chief Recruitment Expert, Amanda Cox's perspective on how to navigate the continuously evolving landscape of the Canadian Retail world.
A story about 2 Entrepreneurs seeking to foster a culture of positivity together