It's tough when you keep hearing it's a job-seekers market when you have sent dozens of resumes and haven't heard back from anyone. Not even an acknowledgment or a rejection. Just ghosted. This can lead to fatigue, frustration, and feeling drained.
This 'great resignation' is real and does not show signs of slowing down, but it doesn't mean employers are looking for 'anyone.' So, where does that leave you? It might not sound appealing but even with all these job openings, sending dozens of resumes and hoping 'someone' will see you are a good fit is not the best idea.
Try the following to improve your chances:
1. First off – it might sound counterintuitive but take some time off. You don't have to spend hours every day conducting your search. Take a break now and then. Treat yourself to something you love to do: a walk, hanging out with a friend, binge-watching a favorite show, reading a book, or whatever strikes your fancy. This will ideally recharge you so you can get back to the business of applying.
2. You still have to take time to put in the work. Set a daily/weekly schedule to keep you on track. Even if you like to be spontaneous, you can get back to your usual way of living once you land the job.
3. It is essential to be selective about jobs to which you apply. Do you know or care about what the company does? Research the employers, create targeted resumes and consider applying if you meet at least 85% of their requirements. And as I always say, include cover letters if given the option. Your application might stand out because most people won't take time to write one. This is your ONLY chance to tell them why you like their company and how your experience can help them.
4. If you are searching by job titles (i.e., Marketing Manager), you can do this in any industry unless you want to work in a particular space. Translate your work experience to match the job descriptions. Go beyond listing your job duties. Show how you can help the employer. Look at it from their point of view. Carefully review the bullet points for the qualifications they seek. Then ask yourself exactly how you accomplished this in your current or previous jobs. You do not need to list your job duties like your job description.
5. Examine your achievements and align them to job postings as much as possible. I know it is tempting to list a myriad of your job responsibilities because that is what you spend your time doing, and it means a lot. However, in my conversations with recruiters and hiring managers, they care about what you can do for them! Be selective about how you describe your professional experience on your resume.
6. If you are changing careers, leveraging your transferable skills is crucial. Provided you have skills that can be aligned with what the job requires, you will have to revamp your resume. Try to put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself. Will this be important for them?
I know it is hard to exclude many of your tasks, but that is not the point of your resume.
You want to specify what you have accomplished and not expect them to read between the lines. With hundreds of resume crossing (in a digital format), make it easier to see what you can do FOR THEM. That's right. Like it or not, it is all about them. Best of luck with your search.
Contact me if you would like to schedule a free phone consultation.