Feeling alone on your job search? Here's why you may not be hearing back
Scroll through social media, and there it is: “We’re Hiring.” It’s the same as walking down the street, where businesses have their signs in the window. Indeed is flooded with positions, too. Why, then, has your own job search come up empty so far? You’ve submitted resumes, and yet, no word.
The reasoning could vary, from simple aspects to complex, multilayered components.
First things first. Did you follow all of the directions? Yes, if directions are laid out, there’s a reason. We’re not necessarily just talking about “submit your cover letter and resume to abc@email.com” directions. Whatever the reason, the company, or job poster, wrote out directions because they mean something. If it says to submit your information to abc@email.com and yet you send it to the HR director’s email address, or even more, send it to someone you know within the organization, it’s possible that your resume wasn’t received. And if it was, it was set aside because directions weren’t followed. Seems so simple, and possibly silly, but it happens – all of the time.
Another simple thing – albeit annoying – is filling out the application form thoroughly. So many employers have online applications these days, because they’re actually using some back-of-house HR software to help streamline. It’s likely that, somewhere along the way, you’ll be asked to upload a resume and maybe a cover letter. So why fill out the rest of the form that asks for the same information that can be found on your resume? Completing the form is crucial because it could be a backup to the AI system which scans the uploaded information, where the fields filled in would also be picked up in a keyword search from the program, or even a human, who may be screening resumes. Having the information in two places may actually help your resume from going into the round file, so to speak.
Getting a little deeper, it could be in the cover letter or resume. Since there’s not a clear-cut, formulaic way to go about these two items, inherently they are a little more complex to digest. Let’s start with the letter, though. This is your opportunity to express yourself in writing. It demonstrates communication skills and professionalism. With tools like spell check and auto correct at your fingertips, there’s little excuse for grammar and spelling mistakes. Reach out to a friend or family member who can be that second set of eyes to review it, simply to make sure it makes sense, since the ultimate reader will not have the background knowledge you have in your head while you write it.
As for letter content, take queues from the job description and qualifications. This automatically means that the letter will be tailored directly to this job position, rather than a generic letter, which will attract attention. I know someone who recently applied for a position. They received an email back that clearly stated every applicant would receive the same email outlining exactly what the company would be looking for in the cover letter and invited the applicant to resubmit if they wished. What was outlined? The exact qualifications listed at the bottom of the job description. It was if they copied and pasted the seven different qualifications.
Another tip for cover letters (which also applies to resumes) is that you want to do the math for the reader. You want to connect the dots for them. What does that mean? Statements that say “While Production Manager at XYZ company, I oversaw the rearrangement of the production floor project” may intend to showcase your understanding of workflow processes, but if that isn’t said explicitly, it’s left to the reader to infer. Given that the reviewer is looking at tens, maybe hundreds, of applications, there’s a good chance that they will not connect the dots to what you intended to highlight. Instead, maybe say, “As Production Manager, I noticed that the production floor arrangement interrupted the flow of operation, and I worked with management to rearrange the layout so that workers did not have to move product so far from one step to another, thus cutting down on time per product by 5 minutes each.” Pick out the key words used in the job announcement and use them throughout. Adding detail like this will get the attention of the reviewer, and they may ask you more about it in an interview.
Turning to probably the biggest component of an application – the resume – there’s a laundry list of items which could contribute to a no-call from a company. Ultimately, there isn’t a magic formula for these, but there’s certainly things to consider. First, look at the top 1/3rd of the page. What’s there? This is prime real estate on your resume page and is what makes that initial impression. Since resumes will likely be viewed on a screen rather than printed, that top 1/3rd of the page is what’s seen, without scrolling. Use it wisely! Name and contact info – yes. No need to include your full address, just city and state are fine. A working email address that is appropriate for professional correspondence, and a phone number are the critical things which should be there. Then, use that space to make the most of things, including a professional summary (rather than an objective), or diving into top skills and experience relevant to the job.
Work history is important. It may not be the full history but include what’s relevant. Use those same key words from your cover letter in the descriptions of your positions in your work history, so that they show up in a document search. If positions were remote, it’s tempting to indicate that next to the position title, but it could come across that you are only interested in remote positions. Instead, include it in the description of the position, or wait to include that information in an interview. Include a statement that explains any employment breaks and insert relevant activities that happened during that time (volunteering as an example). And leave off any personal identifiable information: a picture, age, marital status, children, religious beliefs, hobbies which aren’t relevant to the professional position being sought, etc. This information is irrelevant.
Perhaps the content is okay in your resume, but it’s simply the formatting that’s an issue. Resumes intended for targeting federal positions are much, much different than resumes tailored to positions within a private company. Don’t use a federal resume for the position at the local company office – it will be too long and contain information that isn’t appropriate for a resume in the private sector and may not make any sense. A resume for a theatre position is vastly different than a resume in the tech sector as well.
As complex as these things can be, there’s one other thing that is most complex of all. It’s introspective and having a realistic understanding of your own experience and skillset, and whether it truly matches the job being advertised. Many times, people overvalue their skillset, and set their sights too high from one position to the next, without wanting or trying to take a position in between where they currently are and the desired position for which they are applying. Those middle steps are important. True, there are individuals who “skip” them, but a steeper learning curve is ahead in those cases.
One last tip for this column: follow up. Check in on your application. Find out the review timeline. Send the email; call the main number. Show your interest in the position and the company. It takes energy, but it also helps you stand out as a candidate.
Monica Blackwood is CEO of Westsound Workforce, a staffing agency with offices in Gig Harbor and Poulsbo. She writes a regular column for the Kitsap Sun on human resource issues in the workplace.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Why job seekers may not be hearing back from employers
