Have you ever wondered why you didn’t get a follow-up e-mail or call for an in-person interview? At some point, you should dig deeper and really understand why you aren’t getting called back. This article provides six steps that are critical to your job hunt. These steps are often overlooked when candidates move too quickly to reach the interview stage. Like anything worth working for, you need to put in the ground work to be successful. If you are having trouble getting an interview, seek no more. Here are six ways to land an interview:
- Build a strong personal network. Put in the effort to develop a personal network. Be proactive and attend in-person networking events. Do not rely entirely on the internet and simple one-click submissions, like Monster and Indeed. It is important to establish meaningful relationships with decision makers, and a great way to do this is through professional networking events, such as industry meetings and mixers, university recruitment programs, and career fairs. Your chances of being hired will increase significantly if you establish and leverage internal contacts within your target company.
- Polish up your LinkedIn profile. Now that you have developed your physical, in-person network, you can shift your focus to online networks: LinkedIn and other professional networking websites. Start making the right connections online. In other words, advertise yourself to your target company, including talent acquisition, hiring managers, and other key stakeholders.
You may be perfect for a position, but if you are not in close contact with the hiring manager (think first or second degree within a professional social network), you might be out of the equation entirely. LinkedIn can give you a leg up on the competition. Secondly, as you develop your LinkedIn profile, ignore the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Recruiters and hiring managers want to see polished candidates, and that starts with your profile on LinkedIn; think about adding a professional photograph. Your accomplishments may be great, but if you do not present yourself well, you may be passed over for another candidate.
- Research the company. Research the company and your target position. Hiring managers need to know that you can handle the role; and more importantly, that you have the relevant skills to succeed. Researching the company and position will show effort, and help you adapt your skills to meet the specific needs of the company. Familiarity with the company’s goals and values will be very effective during networking conversations and prescreening interviews. Researching the position is also critical to developing a great resume and cover letter.
- Develop a winning resume and cover letter. Polish up a winning resume and cover letter. Read your resume and ask yourself: “What unique skills do I possess that will enable me to add value to the role?”. In today’s job market, many applicants offer similar skills – make your resume and cover letter stand out by using action words followed by strong, goal oriented statements. In your cover letter, be sure to explain how you have impacted your previous company positively. Include performance achievements, awards, and clear quantitative data that illustrates your success. Lastly, explain why you are the best candidate for the job, and how you can contribute to the goals of your target company.
- Follow-up. If you have contact information of a recruiter, employee, or other relevant network contact, it is helpful to send a follow-up email after submitting your application. Although you may think this is coming off as pushy, reaching out may put you at the top of the list. Note, one follow-up message is generally sufficient, as you do not want to seem overly eager. Also, if you are told you are not continuing to the interview phase, be sure to ask for feedback on your submission in order to improve for your next opportunity.
- Develop a clear career pathway. Develop a career pathway toward your target position. Be selective about the interviews and positions that you accept. Structure your career moves to show growth and continuous professional development toward a clear goal. Keep in mind, as Thomas Jefferson said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more luck I have!”
Overall, remember to never give up. Wishing you the best of luck in your search!
Read more: 10 Things You Need to Know to Ace an Interview
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SearchWide Global is a full service executive search firm, placing hundreds of executives, primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and several regional offices, SearchWide Global is able to serve clients and candidates nationwide. Founded in 1999, they have remained focused on four core values for almost two decades: INTEGRITY, ETHICS, PASSION and RESPECT.
