By Leslie Rothman and Susan McClain
Have you been looking for a new job for a while and getting nowhere?
Our 5 tips to increase your success
1) Apply Promptly
…within a few days of job being posted. In today’s labor market there will likely be many applicants. Regardless of the end date for accepting applications, organizations begin reviewing submissions right away and may not go deeper into the pool if they get a large volume of applicants or find several strong candidates early on.
2) Craft a GREAT Cover Letter
… not a standard, generic one. By using the same cover letter for every job application you lose the opportunity to articulate why you are a great match and what appeals to you about the position. Make the links explicit, describing specific ways your experiences match what the position requires. If there is no request for a cover letter, add it as the third page of your resume so that it will be seen when your application is parsed or opened. Great letters help you stand out and demonstrate you have put in the extra effort.
3) Find a Connection to the Organization
… for any position you are seriously interested in. Always apply as instructed but search your network to find someone connected to the organization (past or current employee, vendor, consultant, etc.) who will pass along your resume with a good word to the hiring manager, effectively getting you out of the “black hole”. Always apply as instructed, then find the side door entry.
4) Skill Building Focus
… take the opportunity during this unprecedented time to build skills in your field, expand your knowledge, or try out new areas of interest. In your resume, note on-line classes you are taking or have completed, and in your cover letter, highlight your learning/self-improvement activities. You will add to your “tool kit” while demonstrating your initiative and self-direction, traits that are increasingly important for employers hiring people who may be working from home.
5) Increase Linkedin Activity
… spend time selectively expanding your connections. Reach out to people you have lost touch with and even people in your field whom you may not know. Personalize your connection note by explaining why you would like them to be part of your network. Other ways to engage; post relevant articles, message contacts to see how they are doing and to provide an update on yourself. Join relevant groups and then participate in the conversations, comment on posts, and reach out to connect with group members that impress you.
Use these 5 strategies and improve your job search success!
Coming Soon, Fall Workshops: “Capitalize on the Pandemic Pause” and “Search Approaches for Career Shift/Change”
