If you’re like many people, you’ve probably been in a situation where it seems like no matter how many job applications you submit and no matter how much you refine your resume, you never hear anything back.
That silence can be incredibly frustrating.
In reality, recruiters and hiring managers often receive hundreds (or even thousands) of resumes for each job they post. Many of those submissions get dismissed, and sometimes, skipped over completely. To avoid falling into this resume black hole, follow these five simple time-tested tips:
- Ask someone to proofread your resume.
A seemingly insignificant error might be enough to make an employer toss aside your resume. Even if you’re a master of grammar, have at least one person read over your resume. Ask them to look for typos and grammatical errors while providing honest feedback. - Keep it simple.
Though it might be tempting to jazz up your resume with logos or graphics, this can be a big mistake. It might seem that this is a sure way to get your resume noticed, but this extra clutter can disrupt how an applicant tracking system (ATS) reads your resume, and you might not make it past the filters. - Research the company’s hiring process.
Many large companies are quite transparent about their interview process. For example, the Google Careers page explains how one of their recruiters reviews your resume by first looking at your qualifications and experience. Such insights can help you customize your resume for each company you target. - Incorporate keywords from the job description.
By using the same words and phrases from the job posting in your resume, the ATS is likely to recognize you as a match. Just remember to be smart when doing this. If a hiring manager sees that you just cut and pasted large blocks of texts, it could hurt your chances of landing an interview. - Network.
The best way to make sure your resume is seen is by networking. If you have a contact at the company, ask them to send your resume to the HR department or hiring manager with an endorsement. Or, try to determine who the hiring manager is and send a resume directly to him or her, with a letter asking for an informational interview. Reaching out directly to a key decision maker can show initiative and ensure that your resume is actually reviewed.
