Here are three common complaints I hear from frustrated job seekers: I’ve sent out hundreds of resumes but I don’t get called in. The interviews I do get are for the wrong positions. I’ve heard that most jobs aren’t even posted, so how am I supposed to find out about them?
If this sounds familiar, take heart. Follow these guidelines to get more job interviews:
Focus on active, not passive channels Applying to a job posting is passive. You essentially cede control of your search to the resume reader. Sure, this is a quick way to job hunt, and you can send out multiple inquiries in a short time. But in this case, more efficient means less effective. In addition, everyone has the same idea so you have more competition when you take this approach.
Networking, on the other hand, is active. You target people who have an interest in what you offer. You craft an engaging message that lets them know you have something of interest. You follow up and manage the relationship, taking an active role in the outcome.
People hire people: 80% of jobs are filled by networking versus 20% via postings. Furthermore, the majority of leads to actual hiring come not from first- or second-degree networking connections (friends and family) but from “weak ties” (third-degree or even more remote connections). As you budget your time for your job search, focus on identifying people in your target career, researching their needs, maintaining connections when you do make contact, asking for helpful information or referrals once the relationship is established, and moving within circles that give you access to the “hidden job market” of positions that aren’t posted.
Make sure that your positioning solves a genuine need If you are not getting interviews for the right positions, at the right level and/or the right salary, it’s not the employer’s fault for misunderstanding you. Assume it is your obligation to convey your value and your expertise in a way that the employer understands. This means translating how your skills, ideas, and experience solve their challenges.
Many job seekers give a laundry list of skills, results or experiences and expect the employer to wade through these and find what is relevant for their needs. This cedes control of your positioning, and it’s too easy for the employer to underestimate your value or dismiss you altogether. Instead, lay out the employer’s situation so the hiring manager can see you understand their business. Then, position how your skills and experience provide what is needed to solve the problem – making money, saving time, increasing profits, streamlining effort, managing details, or reducing stress. The employer is hurting and looking for someone just like you!
Remember that marketing is more than the resume Many employers troll LinkedIn for candidates – will your online profile attract attention? Most employers first “ask around” for referrals – if your network hears about an opportunity, would they know to refer you and do they know enough about you to refer you in a compelling way? Remember the importance of weak ties – jobs are filled more by leads from acquaintances and people you don’t know. So if you were to send an inquiry email to start a conversation, could you get a cold contact to respond?
As you can see, there are many instances where the resume is not your first point of contact with an employer. Yet, so many job seekers spend an inordinate amount of time refining their resume to the exclusion of their online profile, networking pitch, and written correspondence. To get more interviews, you need to ensure that all of your marketing material is compelling.
If you’re not getting as many job interviews as you’d like, which of the above suggestions are you willing to try? What will you resolve to do differently?
Caroline Ceniza-Levine is a career expert with SixFigureStart®. She is a former recruiter in management consulting, financial services, media, technology, and pharma/biotech.
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