Cracking the Resume Code: Understanding How to Get Noticed by Decision Makers
Job seekers need resilience
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Frustrations are boiling over every day on platforms like LinkedIn. People venting (or ranting) about sending dozens or even hundreds of resumes out and not getting calls (or limited calls). Yes, it is a bad job market, but there are some fundamental principles that modern job seekers have to know.
There are a number of simple things that candidates can do to increase their chances of getting noticed and scoring more job interviews. |
Job seeking is a game, so learn how to play it better
We hate to sound so cliché, but don't hate the player, hate the game. Of course, looking for a job is frustrating, even in ideal market conditions. But when the job market tanks and many more people are applying for jobs, candidates need to be even more resilient in order to stand out from the crowd.
Don't get mad at recruiters and employment agencies
Getting mad at the people who can give you a job isn't advised, and it won't help you. Everyone has a reason to be mad: applicants, recruiters and employers.
Employers are frustrated because some job seekers aren't truthful on resumes and in interviews. When the truth finally does come out, precious time was wasted.
Recruiters are frustrated because they get hundreds of resumes a day, and some job seekers are venting frustrations out on them for not getting them a job. Bottom line: recruiters are absolutely swamped with work and have break-neck deadlines to meet. Recruiters don't have time to give the kind of personal service that job seekers want and deserve because recruiting is now a numbers game (By the way, our firm is willing to lose money to give better service; but most are not so willing).
Job seekers are frustrated because they don't always understand that they are making mistakes during the application process. While it is true that the market is over-saturated with candidates and job ads can get thousands of applications, there are still ways to dramatically increase your chances if you understand how the job-search game works.
Employers are frustrated because some job seekers aren't truthful on resumes and in interviews. When the truth finally does come out, precious time was wasted.
Recruiters are frustrated because they get hundreds of resumes a day, and some job seekers are venting frustrations out on them for not getting them a job. Bottom line: recruiters are absolutely swamped with work and have break-neck deadlines to meet. Recruiters don't have time to give the kind of personal service that job seekers want and deserve because recruiting is now a numbers game (By the way, our firm is willing to lose money to give better service; but most are not so willing).
Job seekers are frustrated because they don't always understand that they are making mistakes during the application process. While it is true that the market is over-saturated with candidates and job ads can get thousands of applications, there are still ways to dramatically increase your chances if you understand how the job-search game works.
Understanding ATS: Applicant Tracking Software
The number is ugly, but about 75% of resumes that job seekers submit are going to be deleted by the ATS software. So, in short, you can dramatically increase your chances of at least having human eyes glance at your resume by understanding what you need to do:
NO TEXT BOXES: Many ambitious candidates want to liven up their resume submission by adding colored text boxes to make it stand out. Actually, you are hurting yourself for two reasons: First, if you have too much color, it can work against you because it can impede the software's ability to read your submission. Second, and most importantly, a text box also increases the chances that the software can't do its job. While it's true that the ATS functionality has improved over the years, it's still full of bugs, so you've been warned.
TYPOS AND GRAMMAR ERRORS: Applicant Tracking Software is also savvy enough to notice when you have made typos and grammar errors. If you have too many mistakes on your resume, it's bye-bye baby. In the employer's mind: If the candidate doesn't have the dedication and discipline to properly edit their resume, then why should we hire him or her to work for us when 999 other candidates want the job too.
NO TEXT BOXES: Many ambitious candidates want to liven up their resume submission by adding colored text boxes to make it stand out. Actually, you are hurting yourself for two reasons: First, if you have too much color, it can work against you because it can impede the software's ability to read your submission. Second, and most importantly, a text box also increases the chances that the software can't do its job. While it's true that the ATS functionality has improved over the years, it's still full of bugs, so you've been warned.
TYPOS AND GRAMMAR ERRORS: Applicant Tracking Software is also savvy enough to notice when you have made typos and grammar errors. If you have too many mistakes on your resume, it's bye-bye baby. In the employer's mind: If the candidate doesn't have the dedication and discipline to properly edit their resume, then why should we hire him or her to work for us when 999 other candidates want the job too.
The Best Candidates Don't Get the Jobs, the Ones That Market Themselves the Best Do
If you ask any recruiter, employment agent or human resources manager, they will undoubtedly tell you without reservation that the "BEST" candidates don't get the job (if they are being completely honest, they will tell you the truth). Of course, with hundreds of applicants for every job opening, they know that great candidates are going to fall through the cracks.
Having said all of that, the ones that know how to submit themselves properly, and interview well (they did their homework and can answer questions about the company to prove they did their research); will get the jobs.
Understanding how the job search game works shows eagerness and initiative, and that's what employers want -- they want candidates who want them. So, in short, many job seekers could do a better job PROVING to employers that they want the job.
You could be the world's most capable person and the most qualified for the job that you are applying to, but if you can't even get past the ATS software program to land the interview and prove it to them, then that job will slip through your fingers.
Of course, there are no "silver bullets" when it comes to scoring dream jobs. But, as illustrated below, the more aspects that you tackle, the better your chances for having success in this ultra-competitive job market (aka "the new normal").
Having said all of that, the ones that know how to submit themselves properly, and interview well (they did their homework and can answer questions about the company to prove they did their research); will get the jobs.
Understanding how the job search game works shows eagerness and initiative, and that's what employers want -- they want candidates who want them. So, in short, many job seekers could do a better job PROVING to employers that they want the job.
You could be the world's most capable person and the most qualified for the job that you are applying to, but if you can't even get past the ATS software program to land the interview and prove it to them, then that job will slip through your fingers.
Of course, there are no "silver bullets" when it comes to scoring dream jobs. But, as illustrated below, the more aspects that you tackle, the better your chances for having success in this ultra-competitive job market (aka "the new normal").
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