With the June US unemployment rate at 4.1%, the highest it has been this year, the job market has become increasingly challenging for job seekers. This uptick in unemployment, coupled with ongoing economic uncertainties, has created a more competitive landscape for those looking to secure new positions or advance their careers. Many qualified professionals find themselves in a frustrating cycle of applying to numerous jobs without receiving the expected response or getting no response at all. If you’ve been applying to jobs and said to yourself, “Why am I not getting contacted for this role? I’m perfect for it.” Consider the following 4 points:
1) Stay as close (or adjacent) as you can to industries where you have experience…..especially the more senior you are. Two main reasons:
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- Budgets are tight, and expectations are high. If a company is going to bring on a leader, one of the things they’re considering is how fast that leader will get up to speed. The faster someone gets up to speed, the faster they’ll be able to make an impact.
- The number of applicants is still very high, and many recruiting teams are understaffed. If I’m talking to a hiring manager and they say to me, “industry experience is a nice to have, but not a need to have”, and I get 500 applicants for a role, I’m simply going to start with the candidates who have industry experience first.
2) Submit your resume in Word format vs. PDF.
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- I’ve been saying this for years, and it’s shocking how many people still use PDF. Many application tracking systems (ATS) and recruiting software systems still “read” PDF’s as a picture vs. an actual written document. When you spend an hour catering the bullet points on your resume to align with the job description, it’s an exponentially higher probability that those bullet points will get missed if your resume is in PDF format vs. Word.
3) Network your way into the company vs. just applying.
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- How does a recruiter/hiring manager short list candidates when they get 500 applicants in 48 hours? By starting with people who are referrals. I don’t know of one company on the planet Earth who doesn’t have some sort of bonus for employees who refer people into the organization. Even if you have to “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” your way into connecting with someone at the company, your likelihood of getting an interview goes up considerably.
4) Outline your ideal working situation.
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- Hybrid, fully remote, in-office….whatever you prefer, call it out on your resume. Yes, fully remote is still a thing. And yes, many companies are wanting their employees to be hybrid or in-office. If you’re applying to a job that’s hybrid, call out on your resume that you’re targeting hybrid or in-office opportunities. There’s not many things more frustrating as a recruiter than talking to a great candidate about an hybrid opportunity, only to find out they’re only looking for fully remote
Navigating today’s job market requires more than just having the right qualifications; it’s about strategic positioning and smart application practices. By focusing on industries where your experience shines, optimizing your resume format for application tracking systems (ATS), leveraging your network, and clearly communicating your work preferences, you significantly boost your chances of landing that perfect role. Remember, job hunting is a process that requires patience and persistence. Each application is an opportunity to refine your approach and get closer to your career goals. Stay proactive, keep learning from each experience, and don’t hesitate to adapt your strategies as needed. With these insights in mind, you’re now better equipped to stand out in a crowded applicant pool and catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers.
