Five Reasons Why You Aren’t Securing Interviews with Online Job Applications
Are you a jobseeker feeling increasingly frustrated with the fact that you’ve sent out numerous resumes and filled out what feels like a thousand applications, yet have received no interviews?
If so, you’re not alone. Today’s online job application environment can test the patience of even the most diligent applicant. It may be time to recalibrate.
Here are five reasons why you may not be landing an interview when applying online:
1. Your resume is not well-formatted. The average online job ad generates hundreds of resumes. To stand out, you should customize your resume to match the advertised job description. This means adding skills to your resume that are highlighted in the job description, as many ATS systems prioritize applicants with specific skills. For example, if you are applying for an accounting role, be sure to emphasize skills like proficiency in specific software or accounting practices, such as “cost accounting.” Additionally, to truly grab attention, consider adding data and metrics to your resume to showcase accomplishments like dollars saved or revenue generated. Finally, check for misspellings and grammatical errors.
2. You’re approaching your job search too passively. A common mistake made by jobseekers is merely submitting resumes and applications online and hoping for the best. This passive approach typically results in less than a 10% chance of landing an interview. A more effective strategy involves leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to identify the hiring manager for a specific role and making direct contact. At the very least, the hiring manager will view your LinkedIn profile, which is far better than not being noticed at all.
3. Your applications are incomplete. Many people view the application process as a mere formality and inadvertently disqualify themselves due to incomplete information. Treat the application phase with as much focus and discipline as you applied when crafting your resume.
4. You’re not following up after applying. After submitting an application, it’s all too common for candidates to neglect the follow-up. If a week passes without communication from the company, reach out to the hiring manager. You can do this through email, direct messaging, LinkedIn, or even by phone. Ensure your message is personalized, concise, and expresses gratitude for considering your application, while reiterating your qualifications as they relate to the job description.
5. You’re applying for jobs for which you are unqualified. A scattergun approach to job seeking by applying to every job will not yield great results. Before applying to any role, take the time to thoroughly read the job description and ensure you have the necessary experience and skills for the position. While this may seem obvious, the ease of online applications sometimes encourages jobseekers to apply for jobs without fully reading the qualifications and required skills.
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