How can you get your resume noticed?
Question: I was wondering what would be the best way to get my resume out there. I fear my resume will not be looked at due to the high volume of candidates. Thank you. – Aiming to Stand Out, a Workforce1 Career Bulletin reader
Answer: There probably isn’t a job candidate out there who hasn’t had a similar fear. After revising your resume for the 100th time, you want to know it’s being taken seriously!
So, what can you do to increase the odds that your resume and cover letter get attention?
The good news is that almost all hiring decision-makers do look – however briefly – at every resume and cover letter they receive.
We can give you advice about focusing your resume on the job’s key qualifications. We can tell you to use your cover letter to concisely explain how your past experiences led you to apply for this job.
BUT, instead of going on about resumes and cover letters, we are going to tell you the most effective way to get your resume noticed: NETWORKING. Employer after employer tells us: if someone I know refers a candidate, I pay attention to that candidate’s application.
We’re not saying that your resume and cover letter don’t matter – they do. You should make sure that both your resume and cover letter clearly explain why you are right for the job. But, to really make sure your resume gets noticed, find ways to get introduced to prospective employers.
The most common way to get introduced to a prospective employer is through networking – scour your list of family and friends for anyone who might be able to introduce you to employers. Maybe your uncle’s best friend works for an employer that interests you? Maybe your neighbor’s niece is hiring for your occupation? Social network sites, like LinkedIn and Facebook, make it easier for you to see “who knows who.” Search these sites to see where you have connections. And, offline, let your family and friends know what type of job you are looking to land. They might think of helpful leads.
More infrequently, you can connect directly to prospective employers. A company that you are interested in might be hosting or attending an event. Monitor employers websites and social network sites (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) for any opportunities to meet a prospective employer face-to-face.
Find more networking advice in our posts related to networking.
This question was submitted by a Workforce1 Career Bulletin reader. If you have a question for a recruiter, ask us.
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Several people have posted comments on the Search Jobs page about wanting to get their resume noticed. While we’ve referred people back to this blog entry, we wanted to make an additional comment: network, network, network, AND when you do go to submit your application, be sure you provide the information requested.
This means, enter the subject line as directed, clearly outline your qualifications for the job, and send a cover letter if requested. To really outline your qualifications for a job you many need to create a new version of your resume and/or cover letter that is tailored to that particular job.
This advice holds true when applying to any online job posting.
Entering the correct information gets your resume into the “yes, let’s talk to him/her” pile MUCH more quickly than when someone has to figure out what to do with your resume.
Entering the information as instructed also sends a signal that you pay attention to detail and cared enough about this job to spend the time reading the job posting and tailoring your application.