If you find that you aren’t getting the responses you were hoping for from your active job search, it may be time to step back and reevaluate your process. While it can be stressful to see that all of your hard work isn’t ending in interviews and call backs, there are some common mistakes that you can fix that will get you a better response. Here are three things you may be doing that are hindering your job search:
Applying Only For Jobs That Are Found On Job Boards
Studies have shown that only around 15% of job positions are filled from online applications. Furthermore, more than 70% of people end up finding jobs through some type of networking. With this in mind, you are not giving yourself the best opportunity at open jobs by just checking mega job boards on a daily basis. While you shouldn’t completely ignore them, it’s important to remember that many companies only post these ads after posting them on their own job boards, or putting them on social media. If you are going to catch jobs early, have a target list of employees that you follow on social media and contact regularly inquiring about open positions. Also, remember to keep up with that networking and to focus it towards the kind of jobs you want.
Sending The Same Cover Letter And Resume For Every Job
While it is true that a hiring manager may only spend a small amount of time reading your cover letter and looking at your resume (think less than a minute), they will be looking for it to be specific towards the job you are applying for. Having the same cover letter and resume for every job might cut down on the time it takes for you to apply, but it will typically not get a second look from the hiring manager. Instead, read through the job description and make sure that both your cover letter and resume reflect the specific points that they make throughout.
Not Completing Your LinkedIn Page
When you are applying for a job, your LinkedIn page can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Most hiring managers are going to at least glance at your LinkedIn page; it’s always best to assume that a hiring manager is going to look at any social media page that you have (more information on how to handle that here). Your LinkedIn page, especially, is of interest to a hiring manager because it is your “professional” page, and if it looks like you stopped halfway through the process and never finished it, it will reflect poorly on you. It doesn’t take long to put together a great looking LinkedIn page, and once you do it is easy to maintain!
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