If this is happening to you, you’re not alone 😩
I hear this story too often, unfortunately…
- Smart and talented professional begins a job search
- Applies to 200+ jobs online over a few weeks
- Qualified professional lands exactly 0 interviews
How frustrating!
This common scenario highlights some important aspects of job searching in today’s climate:
You need strategies tailored to your unique career situation!
It’s not one size fits all when it comes to successfully landing a new, senior role.
Here are three action steps you can take to customize your search land interviews:
# 1. Tailor Your Approach Based on Your Career History
Each professional’s situation is distinct, and understanding how your specific circumstances can impact your search is crucial.
For example:
If you’ve been laid off after 20+ years at a single company, you might face stereotypes about your ability to adapt to a new company, industry and corporate culture.
This may include modernizing your resume to highlight your continuous learning and adaptability, not just your loyalty.
Or, maybe your resume shows 6 different roles at 4 different companies in 10 years (no judgment here, this happens especially in today’s market).
However employers might question your commitment or stability and shut you out of the hiring process based on this.
In this case, you’ll need to focus your resume and cover letter on your diverse skill set and ability to rapidly adapt and deliver results, framing your experience as a strength rather than a liability.
You need to use proactive strategies to counter these types of situations to make sure you don’t get eliminated before they even meet you.
You also need to rely more on strategies beyond applying to roles online (see #2 below).
# 2 Leverage Your Network
Networking is powerful.
And I hear you – it’s not the easiest thing to do, especially if you’re more of an introvert.
When you understand how effective it can be and how you can put yourself out there with less anxiety, opportunities open up.
A simple referral can significantly boost your chances of securing an interview, providing you with an advantage that goes beyond your application.
# 3 Optimize Your Resume and LinkedIn profile for the ATS & Algorithms
No matter what your situation is, using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)-friendly format is a must.
Including the right keywords for your target role is also crucial for your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Tailoring your resume for each application helps demonstrate your suitability for the role and increases the likelihood of passing through those ATS filters.
You may wonder - how can I do all of this, this sounds like torture and very time-consuming!
P.S.: want to learn how to customize your job search to get noticed and interviewed, with less frustration and guesswork?