6 answers
Caitlynn
Student
Elkhart, Indiana
1
Question
Asked
492 views
How do I enhance a job application to increase my chances of being hired?
It seems as though I apply to jobs but never hear back. Is there a way to change this?
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6 answers
Jennifer Alonzo Reule, CPRW
Senior Writer & Editor
3
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
You must tailor your resume to each opportunity. You will not be able to generate results with a single, generic resume. Your resume is likely hitting an applicant-tracking system wall. Scan job postings for keywords and phrases relevant to the job. You can even feed the job posting into ChatGPT and ask it to give you the top 10 keywords and skills from the text. Include those words/skills in your resume (be honest and only include them if they are applicable to your background!). Make sure you're answering the question "Why should I hire you?" with specific and concrete reasons why you're the best candidate.
Tailor your resume to each opportunity.
Include a customized cover letter (unless the posting explicitly says not to).
Update your LinkedIn profile to align with your resume.
Follow up on job applications with a hiring contact, if possible.
Network online and in person (through school, on LinkedIn, through relatives, etc.).
Jennifer recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Becca
Steven Watson
Recruitment
2
Answers
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Steven’s Answer
First off, it's important to customize your resume to match the job requirements. It's a good idea to highlight the key experiences and keywords from the job advertisement. Try to position these prominently on your resume. For instance, place your skills and experience before your personal statement. This is because most recruiters review numerous applications and tend to skim through them.
A handy hint might be to reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn and request a casual conversation about the role. This will give you a deeper understanding of what they're really looking for.
A handy hint might be to reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn and request a casual conversation about the role. This will give you a deeper understanding of what they're really looking for.
matt goldfeder
Product Management
2
Answers
Cranford, New Jersey
Updated
matt’s Answer
Hi, Caitlynn. Couple of additional thoughts here..
Most answers already posted here talk about getting your resume and LinkedIn profile set up. One thing I'd like to add that pertains to both resume writing and pulling together your LinkedIn profile is that whenever possible you should list things you've accomplished vs. what you did at your job. It will require some thought on your part. You'll need to think about any part time jobs, volunteer experiences, etc., where YOU did something outside of the daily tasks required of your job. For example, I was mentoring a college sophomore who was pulling together their first resume. They felt they didn't have any real experience. One thing they mentioned was that they worked at a snack stand at a pool club. The more i probed about that job, they mentioned to me that they ended up being given the responsibility of opening and closing the stand because they were so responsible and reliable. So instead of just listing that they worked at a snack stand, they were able to add that they were selected by the manager to be one of 2 other staff responsible for opening/closing the stand. It's all about clearly communicating the difference that YOU made in a particular role vs. what was simply expected - how you went above an beyond to stand-out in that role.
Good luck!
Most answers already posted here talk about getting your resume and LinkedIn profile set up. One thing I'd like to add that pertains to both resume writing and pulling together your LinkedIn profile is that whenever possible you should list things you've accomplished vs. what you did at your job. It will require some thought on your part. You'll need to think about any part time jobs, volunteer experiences, etc., where YOU did something outside of the daily tasks required of your job. For example, I was mentoring a college sophomore who was pulling together their first resume. They felt they didn't have any real experience. One thing they mentioned was that they worked at a snack stand at a pool club. The more i probed about that job, they mentioned to me that they ended up being given the responsibility of opening and closing the stand because they were so responsible and reliable. So instead of just listing that they worked at a snack stand, they were able to add that they were selected by the manager to be one of 2 other staff responsible for opening/closing the stand. It's all about clearly communicating the difference that YOU made in a particular role vs. what was simply expected - how you went above an beyond to stand-out in that role.
Good luck!
Emmanuel M'bra
English and French Tutor, Screenwriter, Evangelist
15
Answers
Abidjan, Lagunes Region, Côte d'Ivoire
Updated
Emmanuel’s Answer
Hello Caitlynn,
To get more chances to be hired, you must have and write a good resume and get more experiences. Then, I trust if you are eligible, you will surely be hired.
But, after applying for a job, you have to be patient, always motivated, never give up, even if it takes time. Keep in mind that "Great things take time"
Keep improving yourself, be hard worker, brave, self-reliant, optimist, positive and I know that you will be hired as soon as possible.
God bless you Caitlynn,
have a great professional career!
To get more chances to be hired, you must have and write a good resume and get more experiences. Then, I trust if you are eligible, you will surely be hired.
But, after applying for a job, you have to be patient, always motivated, never give up, even if it takes time. Keep in mind that "Great things take time"
Keep improving yourself, be hard worker, brave, self-reliant, optimist, positive and I know that you will be hired as soon as possible.
God bless you Caitlynn,
have a great professional career!
Emily Lindberg
Teacher
20
Answers
Salem, Oregon
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Finding jobs can be difficult and take some time. Some things you might do-
-Make sure you are applying to jobs that you are qualified for
-If you have not already, put together a great resume and letter of introduction. Search online for resources on how to do this.
-Create a profile on LinkedIn
-Network! Oftentimes, it's all about who you know with jobs. Even when a company posts a position, sometimes they already have an idea of who they want to hire, just because someone knows someone.
-Don't give up! But, do take a break if you need to, try not to let it consume your thoughts. Job searching can be discouraging at times. Just know that you will get a job eventually and try to keep a positive attitude.
-Make sure you are applying to jobs that you are qualified for
-If you have not already, put together a great resume and letter of introduction. Search online for resources on how to do this.
-Create a profile on LinkedIn
-Network! Oftentimes, it's all about who you know with jobs. Even when a company posts a position, sometimes they already have an idea of who they want to hire, just because someone knows someone.
-Don't give up! But, do take a break if you need to, try not to let it consume your thoughts. Job searching can be discouraging at times. Just know that you will get a job eventually and try to keep a positive attitude.
DaSabria Dunbar, RPT
60
Answers
Updated
DaSabria’s Answer
I understand that the job hunt can be a challenging race. Here are some pointers to make your resume stand out: Highlight your team player qualities through your participation in extracurricular activities. Demonstrate your tech-savvy nature and your ability to keep up with the latest technology trends. As for the interview, come ready and dressed to make a strong impression.
Lastly, leaving a memorable final impression is crucial, so instill in your potential employer the confidence that you're the ideal candidate. I hope these tips serve you well, and I wish you the best of luck on your job search journey. Remember, each interview is just another rehearsal for the one you'll soon nail!
Lastly, leaving a memorable final impression is crucial, so instill in your potential employer the confidence that you're the ideal candidate. I hope these tips serve you well, and I wish you the best of luck on your job search journey. Remember, each interview is just another rehearsal for the one you'll soon nail!