For the past few years, much of the news related to jobs and hiring has revolved around just how difficult it can be to actually land your next career. With multiple candidates competing for only one position, standing out from the crowd is a necessity. A recent article from Business Insider discussed some reasons why candidates are not chosen for a job, and how they can change that. We have broken down some of what they discussed and added additional input from Steve Faulkner, Chief Consultant with the Spencer James Group.
One of the biggest reasons people fail to get a job is because of their resume. In fact, just getting your resume in front of the person doing the hiring can be a challenge. As with almost everything, computers play a role in screening candidates. An Applicant Tracking System searches resumes for key words and phrases and eliminates those that aren’t a match. To avoid being eliminated make sure you utilize words and phrases that also appear in the job posting to describe your experience.
Even if an actual person sees your resume, it still needs to be very strong to stand out. Depending on the hiring process, your resume could be seen by many people before a decision is made, one of which could be a recruiter. What are these folks looking for? Beyond proper grammar and spelling, a clear explanation of what was accomplished in previous jobs is important. Faulkner says, “Many people just write down their responsibilities and it ends up looking like a job description. I want to know what they did with that job. What income did they generate? What costs did they cut? What processes did they improve?” Basically you need to get to the “How good were you?” not the “What did you do?”
On your application and during the interview it is very important to make it clear you want the job. Explain why that company and that position appeals to you. If the job is a bit of a stretch, show that you have taken classes or attended conferences that increase your qualifications.
The interview process needs to be just as strong as your resume and other application materials. Make a case as to why you deserve the job and state very clearly that you want the position. Employers may be hesitant to hire you if they feel you aren’t committed to acquiring and accepting the position. Likewise, any offer should be replied to promptly. After all, companies want to hire someone who is eager and enthusiastic about being there, not a candidate they suspect is waiting around for a different offer.
Finally, Faulkner points out that if you are looking for a career change, one of the best possible methods is through networking. Most jobs are acquired because“someone knew someone who knew someone,” so getting your resume into the right hands is important. If an employer connects with you because you were recommended by a personal connection, it’s much more difficult to be overlooked.
