With the economy on the verge of a contraction that could slow down the job market, job seekers and employees “on the lookout for new opportunities” have every reason to step up their game if they want to land their dream job. Here’s how to do that little extra thing, that little extra effort that can make all the difference in the end.
It’s always been a bad idea to apply for jobs “by the numbers”, by simply filling out application forms. However, on LinkedIn, Talent Acquisition & Business Development Specialist Francis Robitaille notes that many job seekers are content with a “hit and run” to indicate their interest in a position:
I’ve noticed, from frequently poking around LinkedIn, that most people don’t take the time to reach out to the right person when a company has a job opening. Simply marking “interested” on a LinkedIn posting doesn’t magically lead to a job offer. Go to the posting company, find out who is hiring and approach them directly if the position resonates with you. The HR people posting don’t necessarily have time to sort through every LinkedIn profile that says “I’m interested”. Send your resume to the right place, you’ll greatly increase your chances of someone contacting you.”
Personalize, the nerve of the war
Another way to go the “extra mile” to get a job is to customize your resume to the job posting. Even though this advice comes up year after year, it remains a frequent oversight noticed by Jessica Gohier, CV and LinkedIn profile writing specialist. The founder of Profilia CV suggests a three-step process to personalize your CV:
First, you need to take the time to define your job search objective, and understand who you’re addressing. Next, identify the key words that describe the requirements of the position and the responsibilities of the role, relying on the job posting or several similar postings. Finally, adapt the key sections of the resume accordingly, including the header, profile and skills. Ideally, you want to put the keywords in order of priority for the reader.”
Personalization can also be done in the choice of accomplishments you choose to highlight, she adds. Obviously, the achievements selected will demonstrate the skills required for the position.
The temptation to overdo it
That said, job seekers should not fall into the opposite trap of doing or saying too much.
Job seekers often have the reflex of wanting to detail too much information that has no added value for the position they are applying for, explains Nihel Debbih, recruiter and career coach. Clear sections, with bullet points and not paragraphs. The ideal resume contains between 475 and 600 words.”
The same mistake can be found in the header of the resume:
Sometimes there is a long career objective,” she continues. A title related to the position sought is even clearer, and the recruiter knows that he or she is dealing directly with a profile that he or she is looking for.”
The temptation to overdo it can also arise when you receive the silent treatment from a recruiter. Talking to an employer to get confirmation that you have not been selected for a position will not change the outcome of the race. It’s all about balance!
