Are you sending hundreds of resumes and not getting interviews?
Check out these three job search tips to help you improve your overall search strategy, create a results-driven resume that compels employers to call you, and follow up with resumes you’ve already sent.
Question: "I have been sending resumes, cover letters, and following up with phone calls, yet I haven't been called for an interview. Can you help me?”
Answer:
When you’re sending resumes and not receiving any requests for interviews, take a closer look at your resume, and have two or three friends review your resume as well. This is Step 1 to better results.
Be objective. As you read your resume, consider whether it would be easy to remove your name and put someone else's name on it? For example, if you are an instructional designer, does your resume look like every other instructional designer's resume but with different years of experience? If so, it's time for an update.
Is your resume focused? While the title may not be important to you, titles matter to employers. When you’re applying online, ensure your resume is specific and meets the qualifications listed in the job post. Job titles are keywords.
If you plan to use AI to help you with your resume, ensure you are using effective prompts to help you identify the keywords in the job post. Compare those keywords against your experience. Do they mesh?
You’ve got to go beyond keywords, though, because you want to stand out. All things being equal with the job post and your experience, what makes you stand out from other ID candidates? What makes you unique among all others in your same industry? Identify what makes you different and add this to your resume.
Typically, this means using strong achievement statements. When writing achievement statements, use the CAR framework. CAR stands for challenge, action, result. Ensure you quantify results. Did your initiative save money? Make money? Improve productivity? Provide a measurable outcome. The CAR framework addresses the question employers are asking when reviewing resumes, "Why should I hire you?" And “Will I get a return on my investment in this candidate’s salary?”
The key is to create your resume using a "what's in it for them" focus rather than a "what's in it for me” focus.
Step 2 is to focus on how you are conducting your job search. Are you only answering online job postings on job boards or responding to job postings on company websites? Or are you sending your resume directly to a decision-maker?
Remember: search strategy matters.
Kudos to those of you who are following up on the resumes you’ve been sending. But Step 3 asks you to go even further and assess how you are structuring the follow-up and what timeframe you’re making contact.
A suitable time to follow up is three to seven days from sending your resume. What’s more, make your follow-up message intriguing.
Do not simply say, "Hi, I'm calling to check if you got my resume." Boring! A better way is to get the name and contact information of the decision maker for your role. You can then make a direct call using this format that gives a compelling reason for the interviewer to call you back:
"Xena Smith? It's Jo Friday. I'm calling regarding the resume I submitted for the ID position on [date]. I’m very interested in this position.
When I researched your company, I saw that you have high growth in certain business units requiring constant hiring for those units. Onboarding is a core area of my expertise. In the past year, I revamped our onboarding process, getting new employees up to speed in 45 days versus 90. I'd like to do the same or better for you. Please give me a call between 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday and I'd be glad to answer any of your questions."
Using this strategy, you indicated your value, interest in the position, and the best time to reach you. This technique also helps avoid playing phone tag on setting up further communication.
If you’re emailing a follow-up note, use a similar script as the above, and include a link to your scheduling app to save back-and-forth messaging. Also, include a backup copy of your resume, so it’s fresh in their mind.
Bottom line: when you follow up, you’re providing a compelling reason for them to call or email you back.
If you’d like more help with your job search, get this free Get Hired Faster guide.
Have you got a question about your career? Let us know, and your question may be answered in our next column!
