So, you’ve done your research, found a job for which you are interested and have submitted a resume for consideration.
Then you wait. And you wait. And you wait. But you don’t hear anything back from the company.
Why is that? Well, there are several reasons why you might not hear back after sending in your resume.
Consider these possibilities:
• You really aren’t qualified. Read the job poster carefully. Most are structured to identify very specific skills and experience in their candidates. If you don’t meet the criteria, and aren’t truly qualified, don’t apply. You are just setting yourself up for failure.
• You haven’t customized your resume to reflect the criteria on the job poster. Each resume must be tailored to the job for which you are applying. Look for key words in the poster and ensure your resume reflects how you meet those specific skills.
• Your resume isn’t formatted properly. Make sure your resume is neat, concise, consistent in its formatting, and easy to read. Remember, Hiring Managers may be looking at hundreds of resumes. This is your first introduction to the company. Make sure they look at your resume and immediately get a positive feeling about you.
• The company just simply received too many resumes and only selected the first hundred to screen. Make sure that your resume is carefully tailored to the job and submit it early. Don’t wait until the last day to send it in. The Hiring Manager may be reviewing resumes as they are received, and then just stop screening once they feel that they have gotten a reasonable pool of qualified candidates to consider. Make sure your resume is part of that first group.
Needless to say, searching for a job is a very difficult and challenging experience.
There are a number of very qualified candidates against which you are applying. Take all the necessary steps to ensure that you are maximizing your potential for being invited to the interview.
Don’t be afraid to seek the assistance of a career professional. An experienced career coach and human resource professional can read your resume objectively and can see things more clearly. This is the first document that begins the relationship between you and your prospective employer. Take the time to ensure that you have as much of an advantage as you possibly can. It’s worth it.
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