Job seekers need to take steps to maximise each application’s chances of success. (Photo: pikisuperstar – freepik)

The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has made job opportunities more precious than ever before. All the more reason to recalibrate your job search strategies.

Many professionals looking for a job today feel they have to cast their nets wide when applying. In the process, they end up neglecting vital elements of their applications that, if done right, could markedly increase their chances of landing a job interview.

Here’s how you can maximise the success of your applications:

1. Resist the instinct to “spray and pray”

No matter how hungry you are for a job, this technique hardly ever works. Many candidates apply for just about any position, even ones that they are hardly a fit for. This often leads to disappointment and discouragement as you’re not likely to hear from those employers.

Instead, keep your search focussed by closely matching your skills, capabilities and profile with appropriate job postings. Choose to apply for a limited number of jobs for which you’re likely to be the ideal candidate.

Taking this approach will allow you to put in the requisite effort to optimise each application.

2. Read the job description carefully and tailor your resume accordingly

Thoroughly research the job role and the company to which you’re applying. What does the company hope to achieve by filling the position you’re applying for? What is its vision? This will help you align your skills and capabilities with the company’s objectives. Your application should highlight how you can add value to the business and help it address its challenges. This is why your resume needs to be highly customised for each employer.

Mind your Keywords

Optimising your resume with keywords is absolutely crucial. While headhunters like us take a more nuanced approach to looking through resumes and job applications, many employers rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that filter resumes based on keywords.

Since you’ll be sending a customised resume in every application, the keywords you use should be specific to each job description.

Match the language you use in your cover letter and resume to the language used in the job description. For example, if the job description names a particular software that candidates should be proficient in, be sure to include it at the top of your resume as part of your profile summary as well as in the body of the resume.

Some ATS systems are very literal, so avoid using acronyms or abbreviations without spelling them out fully.

3. Don’t rely on a single channel

It might be tempting to rely on one channel for your job hunt. However, employers use a variety of sources, so you need to do the same. Job portals and recruitment websites are great, but also consider other channels such as companies’ career sites and your network.

Network directly with employers; Reach out with ideas

Aside from interacting with your personal network (friends, family, former schoolmates and colleagues, alumni associations, industry associations, etc.), you should network directly with recruiters and employers.

If you make an impression on such individuals, getting a foot in the door would be much easier.

You shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to employers whom you’d like to work for, but who are not overtly looking to fill a position. Some jobs are just not widely advertised. Connecting with recruiters and employers is likely to give you access to these.

Contact them directly via professional networking sites or e-mail. Study their business thoroughly and write to them with ideas on how to address their business challenges and achieve their goals during this crisis. This can make a lasting impression. If, with your skills and capabilities, you can help them execute these ideas, they would have a good reason to at least meet you.

Attend career fairs as often as you can and stay engaged with your industry and sector for maximum exposure to such individuals.

4. Use your social media channels and professional profile to attract the right attention

An increasing number of employers are looking for both passive and active candidates via social media and professional networking sites. Your public profile on all channels should be appropriate and professional enough for employers and recruiters in your industry to give you a second look. Employers are likely to examine your social media presence to assess if the image you project on these channels supports your professional goals. Do you have the right photos and strong posts about your field of expertise and ideal job role?

Professional Networking Sites – Mind your Keywords

Just like your resume, your online profile should be optimised with keywords. These would primarily include positions you’re qualified for, and industries that you’d like to work in. Think about what search terms a potential employer or recruiter would use to find individuals for positions you’re interested in.

In addition, study the descriptions of your ideal jobs carefully and use the keywords in these in your profile. Intentionally incorporate these words in the description of your skills, achievements and aspirations.

Also, make sure you use the same name on every channel so that when an employer googles you, all the relevant profiles show up.

5. Follow-up

Don’t just forget about the application after you’ve sent it. Take the initiative to notify the employer or recruiter and ask them to confirm they’ve received it.

If you receive a rejection, try to understand what went wrong. Ask the notifying party or the recruiter for feedback. Consider it carefully, think about what you could have done differently and apply the lessons from this experience to future applications.