I completed the application, now what?
NETWORK WITH HUMANS!
Consider this: Company X posts a job on Indeed for an Office Manager on Monday. How many applications do you think they will receive by the following week? The number can sometimes be outrageous! Do you really believe that a person looks at every single resume that comes through the application process? It is not likely. A high percentage of these applicants are simply not qualified. For instance, in this case of the Office Manager, Fork Lift Drivers, Cashiers, Uber Drivers, Sales Associates, those with no work experience, etc. will all apply in hopes that they will receive consideration. It does them no harm to submit a resume. Conversely, for the recruiter, it clogs up the pipeline with a high amount of unqualified applicants and ultimately turns a recruiter off to using applications as a tool to find their candidates.
It is necessary to complete the application in order to move forward in the process, however, you need to connect with a human-being and get on their radar! How do you do this?
Use LinkedIn and find ways to Get Creative.
LinkedIn is the most popular tool that Recruiter use today to search for and to screen candidates on the internet. 95% of recruiters are using the site and spend a majority of their day on the site running keyword searches for qualified candidates. I have heard it said that 3 out of 4 employers have admitted that, if a candidate cannot be found on social media they are less likely to reach out. What should be included in the profile? How should it be used? These ideas only scratch the surface with respect to how useful the tool is or how you should present yourself but consider the following information.
Profile Picture: According to some statistics, LinkedIn profiles with photos get 21x more views and 36x more messages. Also, it is an incredible opportunity to market your professionalism and wonderful smile! A picture is worth 1000 words, use them to your advantage. Like with anything else in the job searching process, do not settle for less than your best. In the recruiter/hiring manager’s mind, you have had all of this time up until now to make the best profile possible. When you apply for the job and the recruiter is evaluating your profile, you want to be at your best! The picture can be as simple as one where you are well-groomed, professionally dressed and up against a plain background (with no distractions) and smiling!
Make it a mirror image: The LinkedIn interface is very user friendly. It prompts you to complete all necessary sections of your profile in order to achieve an All-Star Status. Obtaining the All Star status has been shown to increase your ability to receive opportunities by 40%. This includes a Profile Picture, Experience, Skills, Summary, Industry & Location, Education and Connections. When including your experience, just copy and paste from your resume (unless there is an opportunity to include more detail on the profile that you were unable to fit on the resume).
Make your profile keyword heavy: The headline of your LinkedIn profile is the #1 indexed location that attempts to match up with recruiters search strings. Utilize industry specific keywords in your headline, summary, experience, skills and endorsements, and any other area possible. This is not the only thing built into LinkedIn’s algorithm, but it certainly can help to increase your ranking in search results.
Join Groups, Get Connected, Share your Professional Insight and Network with others!
Get Creative!
“It’s easy to stand with the crowd, it takes courage to stand alone.” Gandhi
Consider doing things out of the norm. Do not follow the beaten path.
Have you visited the company, shaken a hand, dropped off your resume in person?
Have you sent the hiring manager a small gift enclosed with your resume and cover letter?
Have you created a promotional YouTube video to market your value and skill sets. Have you created a YouTube Channel to discuss topics/share content related to your expertise
Have you sought out professional networking events in your area/profession to get yourself out there?
If possible, have you considered sacrificing your idea of comfort and taking a temporary opportunity (while you are still seeking a permanent position)?
These opportunities will not find you. You have to reignite the fire and get out there!
Visit redlineresume.com/services to find how we can assist you! Or schedule a free consultation now!
