Do you feel like your job application disappears into a black hole, never to be seen by anyone? Have you applied for numerous job adverts and not heard back? I hear this a lot from my clients. Clicking apply and going through the process of sending your resume is time consuming. Not hearing back is frustrating! Especially if you feel you’re a great fit for the role.
So, what else can you do to get your application noticed and get the recruiters to call you?
Once you have applied for an online job advert, leave it a few hours, but on the same day make sure you follow up. This is how you get the recruiters to call you…..
STEP 1 – to Get the Recruiters to Call You
Get the name of the recruiter or hiring manager.
Use LinkedIn to find their name.
Use the LinkedIn filters to search the company page and find recruiters and hiring managers.
Unsure of the name, send a few emails to different recruiters within that organisation.
Use a tool such as hunter.io to find their email address.
Or if you have a paid LinkedIn account, send them a message directly through LinkedIn.
STEP 2 – to Get the Recruiters to Call You
What to write in your follow up message:
If emailing the hiring manager (your potential boss) try this:
Hi Anne
I came across your LinkedIn profile while researching job openings at ABC Company. Does the Senior Business Analyst position that’s posted on LinkedIn report to you? I’ve spent the past six years in a similar role and can offer you a mix of expertise in <Skill 1-asked for in the job advert>, <Skill 2- asked for in the job advert >, and <Skill 3- asked for in the job advert >.
If you are the person in charge of hiring for this role, I would love to share more with you and learn a bit more about what you’re looking for.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Kind Regards,
Tom Smith
Mob: 0400 000 000
URL Link to your LinkedIn profile
If emailing the recruiter try this:
Hi Adam
I recently applied for the role of Business Analyst advertised in your company, and would be a great fit for this role. I have 9 years’ experience with XXX company in a similar role.
If you are the recruiter who is managing this role, I would be keen to chat to you further.
Kind Regards,
Tom Smith
Mob: 0400 000 000
URL Link to your LinkedIn profile
Step 3 – to Get the Recruiters to Call You
Send your email within 24 hours of applying for the role.
Leave it 3 to 5 days, then follow up if you have not heard back. Repeat this again in 3 days if you do not hear back.
Follow up on every job application. If you apply to 10 job adverts, send 10 messages or more! Use your network to help you get noticed.
If you do not hear back after this, assume it’s a “no” and move onto the next one.
Following up on each job application is crucial. Most people don’t do this.
What have you got to lose by doing this? The worst that can happen is they ignore your email!
Never leave it to chance.
Working with Recruiters
When working with recruitment agencies I recommend firstly applying for a job they have advertised. An hour or so later, call them and let them know you applied.
You push your application to the top by calling the recruiter after you have applied. If you leave a voicemail, keep it short and relevant to the job you applied for. If you don’t hear back after a couple of days, drop them an email.
Recruiters are handling multiple jobs, sometimes as many as 30 live jobs. They are receiving hundreds of resumes. It is difficult for them to look at every application.
If you are not selected for the role, remind yourself that you are awesome!
It’s not that you could not do this role. There just might be other applicants the recruiter feels are more suitable than you. This can be tough to hear, especially if you think you are a great fit.
Remember, a recruiter sends around 6 applicants for each vacancy. Unfortunately, not everyone who thinks they are suitable will be sent to the hiring manager.
Tips on Networking
As always, job adverts should only be part of your job search. You also need to reach out to your network, and your networks network.
When reaching out to a company directly, ask yourself do you have something or someone in common? Use this as leverage to get noticed.
As a rule of thumb, I recommend spending around 30% of your job search focusing on job adverts and recruitment agencies.
The remaining 70% of your time should be spent meeting with your network. Ask their advice and if they know anyone who could help you. This is like an informational interview. Some tips on preparing for this:
✔ Talk about what you enjoy doing, not the things you are unhappy with.
✔ People are happy to help, but you need to tell them how and why.
✔ It’s all too easy to spend the meeting complaining about your current situation. That might make you feel better, but it’s not allowing your contact to help you.
✔ Before your meeting – think about 3 things in your career you love doing.
✔ Where do these 3 things add value to a company.
✔ What advice can your contact give you related to these 3 things?
✔ Who else in their network can they recommend you speak to?
✔ If they give you a name, then contact that person directly. Mention that your contact recommended you to them.
✔ After any meeting, always email your contact a “thanks for your time”
✔ Let them know you are always happy to help them. Networking is a reciprocal process.
When you do get a new job, drop your contacts an email to let them know. People will take pride in feeling they have helped you along the way.
Finally
Remember, looking for a new job can feel like a full-time job! I haven’t yet worked with a client who loves job searching, but we all need to do it.
Following up and persisting are key.
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:
- Career crossroads and need clarity? Click here
- Maximise your LinkedIn and Resume for a successful job search, click here
- Nail that job interview and get the job offer, click here
Or, if you are unsure where to start and need help with EVERYTHING click here
