Whether you're a seasoned professional, an entry-level job seeker, or just wanting an internship, landing an interview can often be challenging. Here are some helpful hints--along with the basic logic behind each idea.
This article contains advice for the active job seeker. The concepts are not difficult to master--and if you follow the 10 steps, your chances of landing an interview should significantly improve.
This article contains advice for the active job seeker. The concepts are not difficult to master--and if you follow the 10 steps, your chances of landing an interview should significantly improve.
1. Be findable. In theory, this sounds so simple but the reality is that not everyone seems to grasp the importance of this concept. If you don't already have a good resume, you need to develop one that clearly shows your work history, skills, accomplishments--and contact information. Make sure you include your name, city, postal code, email, and mobile phone. Post it to the large online job boards (Monster.com, Job.com, CareerBuilder, Indeed, etc.) and any specialized online job boards unique to your industry. Take some extra time with each job board to complete a detailed personal profile. Keep the resumes you've submitted updated. Never let them sit unattended for more than three weeks.
Next, create an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is the place to be if you want to be found. You can actually import your resume to your LinkeIn profile; however, you'll need to do a few more things to make LinkedIn really work. Please see 10 steps to a better LinkedIn profile--from a recruiter's perspective and follow the simple directions. If you think LinkedIn is just another Faceboook or Myspace, you're wrong. If you're actively looking for a job and are not on LinkedIn, well--you're a fool. If you have other social media accounts that contain postings or photos that are questionable, get rid of the offending materials.
Why? Because the way things are today, you're about as likely to get an interview from being found by an organization as you are from actively sending out your resume--especially true with organizations that don't advertise their positions. I know you may find this hard to believe, but many companies don't post all of their open positions. My company rarely posts an opening--and we're in the recruiting business.
Allow me to correct yet another misconception: Many of the people tasked with finding new employees for their organizations are not really hard-core recruiters; they perform recruiting tasks as collateral duties. Generally, most of them devote less than 25% of their time to filling the open positions they're responsible for. Typically, when they're searching resumes, they take the best matches that are the easiest to find. In recruiter-speak, this is also called "low-hanging fruit". If you’re difficult to find or contact, well…it probably won’t happen.
It's also important to know that job board search filters used by employers typically have a default cut-off of “1 month or newer” for resumes; the recruiter can specify a longer length of time, but many don’t. This means that if your resume has gone over four weeks without being updated on a job board, you probably won't show up in initial searches.
With many job boards, the first thing a recruiter will see when your resume makes the "cut" is a synopsis of your profile BEFORE THEY'RE ABLE TO READ YOUR RESUME. If you have an incomplete profile, the recruiter will see a lot of blank spaces--which will require them to dig deeper if they really want to learn about you. Having an incomplete profile on a job board makes you look quite unprofessional; it's sort of like sending a cover letter written in crayon.
2. Make sure your resume contains all the appropriate keywords for your industry and position. Sorry to tell you if you didn’t know, but you must put a lot of effort into this. The importance of having the correct keywords in your resume for each of your positions cannot be overstated. If you find this to be too challenging, please get some help with it.
Why? With appropriate keywords missing from resumes you submit, the internal screening software that many organizations use simply won’t see you—or if it does, your keyword strength will be so weak that you won’t make the cut—meaning that no human will ever see your information (let alone call or email you).
The same holds true for keyword strength when your resume is accessed by potential employers from online job boards where you've posted your resume. Keyword searching is the primary way candidates are found from these sources. Life’s little irony: Many of the best people have the worst resumes. Don’t be one of them.
3. Answer your phone (this means picking up when someone calls and not letting it go to VM if at all possible), and check your email frequently. Unless you’re completely unable to afford it, carry a smartphone and set it up so you can easily receive/read/respond to your emails. See 10 reasons you need a smartphone, and respond quickly when you receive an inquiry. Never confuse your recruiter by listing too many emails or phone numbers. One of each is good.
Why? Because if you don’t immediately return a communication, the recruiter will happily deal with next person who does. If you don't do it fairly quickly, we think you're either arrogant, or not too bright--begging the question "would this candidate treat others important to my client in the same way?"
4. Review your “junk”, or “spam” folder very carefully several times per day. Many corporate emails sent by recruiters look like junk to a spam filter, even if you’re the only recipient on the list.
Why? We really have no way of knowing if our email went to your spam folder. Sadly, it's "sorry", and “next” if you don’t check it. Yes—this is natural selection at work. Please see #3 above.
5. When we call, answer your phone with a smile on your face. Answer professionally. Never respond with something dumb like “how did you get my number?” or “are you for real?” When you answer your phone, always assume it's someone really important on the other end, and address the caller accordingly.
Why? Because we don’t enjoy talking to dolts. Please don’t be a dolt; no, no, no. If anyone has ever made a comment on your phone skills (or lack thereof), now would be a really good time to take it to heart--and perhaps make a course correction on how you answer the phone. Suggestion: Role play with a friend to gain confidence.
Why? Because we don’t enjoy talking to dolts. Please don’t be a dolt; no, no, no. If anyone has ever made a comment on your phone skills (or lack thereof), now would be a really good time to take it to heart--and perhaps make a course correction on how you answer the phone. Suggestion: Role play with a friend to gain confidence.
6. Comply with any reasonable instructions you receive. If you’re asked to provide some references, provide them. Don’t ask for a rationale. If you’re asked to apply online, do it--unless of course you're not interested in the position.
Why? Because the hair on the back of our neck will stand up if you don’t, and you’re probably going to the very bottom of the list (if not the circular file). Anyone who's been recruiting for a while has gone down the path with recalcitrant candidates—all with pretty much the same negative results. Failure to comply is like having “I'M A WASTE OF TIME" tattooed on your forehead.
7. Ask questions about the position—but make sure they’re not dumb questions.
Why? Because we think you’re interested if you’re asking questions. If you don’t seem too interested, act aloof, or come across as being (searching for a tactful way to say this) unintelligent, we’re probably going to drop you like a hot spud.
8. After you chat on the phone with the recruiter, send a “thank you” email. Don’t send a “thank you” card; it will likely get there after they've made a decision to move forward with you. I personally hate snail mail. Some like it, most don't.
Why? It reiterates your level of interest, sets you above the rest of the pack, and we like the attention.
9. If you don’t hear back from the recruiter within a few days of your phone screening, send an email to remind them of your interest and availability. Don’t demand information—simply reaffirm your interest in the position. Be incredibly polite—because we’re probably not sending any rude, or pushy people to our clients. That might make us look unintelligent.
10. If you’re offered dates for an interview, take the first slot available. If this means you’re missing the appointment to have your poodle dyed pink again, Fluffy must wait.
Why? Sometimes, decisions are made more quickly than everyone might like to think. If there’s a real, pressing need for someone to fill the position, they may cut the interviewing short as soon as they find someone who fits the bill. Many companies continue to interview even after they offer the position to someone else—until they have a firm acceptance. Some even continue after that to save face. Go figure; stranger things do happen.
Best wishes on that interview! If you're serious about making a great first impression, you should read What mid-career professionals should wear and bring to their interview.
Best wishes on that interview! If you're serious about making a great first impression, you should read What mid-career professionals should wear and bring to their interview.
LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/willbaumann
Company site: http://www.anrgroupinc.com/
Thank you Will. Great stuff here. Some of it I already do, some of it I knew but forgot and some new ideas as well. We all need a refresher - especially if we are getting back into the market, like I am, after a long time.
ReplyDeleteKirk McMorris, Kirk@mcmorrisnet.net