No matter how strong your skills or experience are, you won't land a
new job without first securing an interview with a prospective employer.
Job seekers often consider this step of the hiring process the most
difficult -- and perplexing. After all, how many times have you
considered your qualifications ideal for an open position only to never
hear from the hiring manager about the résumé and cover letter you
submitted?
If you're looking for an edge, make sure you're not falling into these common traps.
You only focus on the Googles of the world.
Companies
that continually grab headlines and are highly recognizable can be
exciting places to work. But so are many companies you've never heard
of. Keep in mind that organizations that are household names often
receive thousands of résumés for each opening. Consider exploring
opportunities with small and midsize companies. They make up the vast
majority of businesses in the United States and sometimes have trouble
locating qualified candidates. If Google is your dream employer, don't
give up the good fight, but also keep your eyes and ears open to other
opportunities.
You don't follow directions.
Each
company has a different procedure it asks applicants to follow for
submitting employment applications. Some ask that you use a form on
their websites while others prefer traditional phone calls or faxes.
Make sure you understand what the prospective employer seeks by
carefully reading the job listing. Then, follow the directions to the
letter. If you don't, your application may never reach the hiring
manager.
You need to revamp your résumé.
Sending out
the same cover letter and résumé to all companies isn't likely to
capture the attention of prospective employers. Hiring managers want to
know why you're a good match for their specific business needs. So, take
the time to research employers and customize your job search materials
by explaining why you're interested in a particular position and how you
could make a contribution to the company.
Your cover letter isn't enticing.
Think
of your cover letter as an appetizer that convinces the hiring manager
your résumé, the main course, is worth sampling. The best cover letters
take select details from the résumé and expand upon them, explaining in
depth how your talents and experience can benefit the prospective
employer.
You don't reference keywords.
Companies
that receive a high volume of résumés often scan applications using
specialized software that looks for certain keywords to determine which
candidates to call for interviews. More often than not, keywords come
directly from the job description. Terms such as "Microsoft Office,"
"accounts payable and receivable" and "Cisco Certified Network
Administrator" are examples. As much as possible, ensure your résumé and
cover letter contain keywords.
Your application materials aren't perfect.
Submitting
an application that contains typos and grammatical goofs is perhaps the
quickest way to foil your chances of securing an interview. The reason:
These types of mistakes show a lack of professionalism and attention to
detail. So, make sure to carefully proofread your résumé prior to
submitting it and ask a friend or family member to do the same.
You don't know who to send your résumé to.
Though
it's fine to start your cover letter with the generic salutation "To
Whom It May Concern," hiring managers pay special attention to
applications that are addressed directly to them. If the job
advertisement doesn't include the hiring manager's name, call the
company and speak to the receptionist or a member of the person's
department. More often than not, you can obtain the information fairly
easily if you're candid about your reason for wanting it.
You don't have an 'in' with the company.
Using
the name of a common contact to make the connection between you and the
hiring manager is by far the best way to ensure your cover letter and
résumé get optimal attention. So, keep in touch with members of your
professional network; you never know who has a contact at the company
you hope to work for.
You don't follow up.
One way
to improve the odds a hiring manager gives consideration to your résumé
is to follow up with him or her. According to a survey by our company,
86 percent of executives said job seekers should contact a hiring
manager within two weeks of sending a résumé and cover letter. Often a
brief phone call or e-mail reasserting your interest in the position and
strong qualifications is enough.
You're not as qualified as you think.
The
bottom line may be that you're simply not as perfect for the job as you
think. Before submitting your résumé, take a close look at the job
description and compare your skills and experience with those required
for the position. If a job calls for five years of retail management
experience, and you have only two, you might not be as qualified as
other applicants. While sometimes it's possible to make up for skills
gaps if you excel in other areas, hiring managers frequently have
specific criteria in mind, and they use it to determine whom they call
for interviews.
By avoiding common pitfalls, you can improve your
chances of landing a job interview. Often something small -- fixing a
typo, for example -- makes all the difference.