Having spent the last ten years of my career in the recruiting industry and over 16 years in hiring, I am often asked by job seekers, “Why can’t I find a job?” or some variation of that topic. Surprisingly, it is some of the simplest things that job seekers consistently miss that cause them to be passed over in an endless flood of online applicants and candidate traffic.  Here are the top 5 tips for standing out in a crowd and landing the career you are seeking.

1. KISS– No, we are not talking about the 70’s rock band with the wild onstage makeup and antics. This is an acronym you have probably heard at some point in your life. Keep It Simple Stupid. The “stupid” part may be a bit harsh, but it drives home the point. Typically, a Recruiter, Human Resources professional or hiring manager does not have time to pour over eight pages of pontification about every minute detail of your work history. While I don’t believe in the myth that a resume should only be one page, there is never, EVER a reason for it to be eight pages. Highlight your education, your skills and strengths, certifications/trainings, and your work history. Each section of work history should contain no more than 5-6 sentences summarizing your job function.  Any more is just….well….stupid.

2. Make the effort-A little extra effort truly goes a long way. Although it is not always possible, I always appreciate a follow up phone call or email from an applicant that has applied through our website. Occasionally, an applicant will even walk in to briefly introduce themselves. Again, this is not always possible or feasible, but if approached correctly can make a big impact.

3. Apply when qualified– There are times when I will have 50+ job postings up online on various job boards. Nothing is a bigger red flag than seeing the same applicant’s name come through having applied for all 50 jobs. Hiring managers will not take your job search seriously if you are applying for a $10.00 per hour machine operator while also applying for a $100,000 per year engineering role. Only apply for positions you are truly qualified for based on your skills. You may be ruining your name in the community without even realizing it.

4. Do your research-Time and time again, I am amazed by people coming to an interview without having researched the position they have applied for and the company. Many times an applicant doesn’t even know the name of the person they are scheduled to interview with at our office. The candidate that does the extra work typically ends up with the job offer. Take at least 30 minutes to truly prepare yourself for an interview.

5. Follow up- Any interview book will always conclude by advising you to follow up every interview with a thank you note. While this seems very simple and commonplace, this is a forgotten art in today’s world. Even a simple follow up email is acceptable, but a hand written note or card can go even further. To really make an impact, dress as if you are going for another interview and hand deliver the card. Nothing says “I want this job” like a smile and this extra step.

 
While these steps can’t guarantee an interview, a call back, or a job offer, they are commonly forgotten or ignored steps of the process. Entire books have been written on the process, but start with the basics and see if it changes your success rate. Happy hunting!
Article by: Jonathan Loo, Owner, Appletree Staffing 317.887.0747.