Is This the Key to Hearing Back to Employers?

Gina Deveney
Posted by in Career Advice


In our interactions with job seekers, we’ve found that their biggest frustration by far is not hearing back from employers after they’ve submitted their resume. In a perfect world, every applicant for every job would receive a notification about whether they were being considered for the position. But until that day, there is one surefire way to hear back from a prospective employer – make them want you.

You’re probably thinking, “Well, sure… But how do I get their attention? What’s the secret?

At this stage in the job search game, your resume is the key. This one simple document is an employer’s first – and maybe only – source of information about you. A well-written, powerful resume gives you the best possible chance of making a great impression and getting called in for an interview. And, you’re 40% more likely to get noticed with a professionally written resume. Which is why, whether you have a tried-and-true resume or you’re still in the process of creating one, you may want to consider enlisting the help of a professional.


Get a Professional Resume You Can’t Wait to Send Out with the Help of a Beyond Resume Expert >>


Not sure it’s the right choice for you? There are a many reasons to go the professional route, but here are 4 of the most common ones:

You’re busy. If you’re currently employed, you already have limited time to devote to your job search. Even if you’re not working at the moment, there are a lot of other valuable job search activities to focus on. Perhaps your time could be better spent networking or building your online presence. If you find that you’re simply not finding the time to dust off that resume and make the necessary improvements, it’s probably worth outsourcing the job to a professional.

You have trouble writing about yourself objectively. In world outside of job search, we’re trained to avoid boasting about our accomplishments. Yet effective resume writing is all about calling attention to your strengths. If you feel awkward about this, or you struggle to identify your top skills and talents, a resume expert will provide valuable perspective and help you strike the right balance of confidence and class.

You’re looking to change careers or work in a very specific niche. If you’re not intimately familiar with your desired field, or you’re seeking a position that’s extremely specialized, seek out a professional writer who specializes in that niche. They can make sure your resume has the right focus and keywords to speak to hiring managers in the field you’re targeting.

Your DIY resume isn’t getting the job done. There’s a reason we call a plumber when the faucet is leaking and head to the mechanic when that clanging sound under the hood won’t go away. Sure, it’s cheaper to fix these things yourself – but not if the bathroom floods and your car breaks down on the side of the road. Calling in a professional can save you time and money in the long run, and that goes for your resume, too.

If you’re not ready to commit to a full resume re-write, try starting with a simple resume critique to get an idea of how much work your resume really needs. You may find that you can improve it yourself. Or, you may realize that a professional resume may be just the thing to get your phone ringing.

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  • Lynda
    Lynda

    ok to the simple resume re-write

  • Ange D.
    Ange D.

    Yes it is something to consider.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Bob - thanks for all of the information. It is truly appreciated. And you are right - most recruiters only spend about 6 seconds on a resume and this is after it goes through an applicant tracking system. So everyone take heed and make sure that you think about these six data points on your resume before you submit it. @Samar, Bob has good points for you, too. Narrow your focus down to the companies that you want to work for and then start networking with people within those companies. Let them know that you are looking for a job and that you would like your resume to get in front of a hiring manager. If you know someone who knows someone within one of those companies, have him pass your resume on. It's always better when a resume comes from within the company. Bob is right there, too - no one is going to risk damaging their reputation by submitting a candidate that is substandard. If you try to narrow it down and concentrate your networking efforts on certain companies, it might help. Sharing articles, etc. can sometimes leave your chasing your tail instead of getting your resume where it needs to be. @Antoine - when can you retire? The answer to that depends. Depends upon age, location and if you have contributed enough to social security! Check with your local SS office and they will help you. Or check them out online. I wish you all the best.

  • Bob Henry
    Bob Henry

    The best tactic for getting the job you seek is a referral/endorsement of your candidacy from an employee at that prospective company. The thinking being that no employee would risk damaging her/his reputation by encouraging the hiring of a substandard applicant. So "mine" your "network" of contacts (professional and personal) for connections to folks who work at that company.

  • Bob Henry
    Bob Henry

    Link to study:

    http://cdn.theladders.net/static/images/basicSite/pdfs/TheLadders-EyeTracking-StudyC2.pdf

    Excerpt:

    . . . the study found that recruiters spend only 6 seconds reviewing an individual resume.

    The study’s “gaze tracking” technology showed that recruiters spent almost 80% of their resume review time on the following data points:

    -- Name
    -- Current title/company
    -- Current position start and end dates
    -- Previous title/company
    -- Previous position start and end dates
    -- Education

    Beyond these six data points, recruiters did little more than scan for keywords to match the open position, which amounted to a very cursory “pattern matching” activity. Because decisions were based mostly on the six pieces of data listed above, an individual resume’s detail and explanatory copy became filler and had little to no impact on the initial decision making. In fact, the study’s eye tracking technology shows that recruiters spent about 6 seconds on their initial “fit/no fit” decision.

  • Samar Misra
    Samar Misra

    I keep hearing of "networking" for everyone and while this has been done extensively I wonder when something will come and why nothing has resulted from "networking" when always trying to keep up with contacts, share articles and seek advice along with volunteering? This question I pose for everyone in general and wonder what specific techniques in "networking" need to be done that will likely ensure in a job even as you are competing with other networkers besides attending events, meetings, Toastmasters, volunteering and utilizing LinkedIn, FB, etc? Thanks and happy to hear any thoughts from anybody as I try to keep going.

  • SUSAN R.
    SUSAN R.

    Bob Henry, since recruiters spend only 6 seconds reading my resume, then what 6 seconds worth of data should I focus on?

  • Aladdin E.
    Aladdin E.

    Job searching can be a frustrating and long term process. I've been in the midst of it for well over a year. There are times I feel like giving up, but I continue to plug away and keep applying, sending resumes, making calls etc. Thank you for your ideas, suggestions, and information, it is much appreciated.

  • Antoine M.
    Antoine M.

    When can I RETIRE?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Wow - lots of comments yesterday. First @Andreas, our site is free to job seekers. @Harriet your comments are greatly appreciated. Yes, everyone needs to check their digital footprint and be very careful what they post. No controversial posts; no foul language; no putting anyone else down. Prospective employers DO look at social media sites like FB and Twitter. We say this over and over again but truly clean up your footprint. If you are in a job, no bad-mouthing your employer on social media, either. @Samar, I know it can be frustrating when you are doing everything right but no job offer comes. You are right - keep on going and hang in. The market is opening up and jobs are out there. @Goldie - thank you! It is true that you can get a great job when you start out as a temp. @Anthony - so very sorry about the changes at your hospital. Is it possible to volunteer at the main campus so that you can make yourself known. Or contact the new hospital and introduce yourself. Let them know how much volunteer work you have done and that you are interested in a position. Network the best that you can with the new people. @Bob - thank you. It is true that a resume only gets about a 6 second look but sometimes that is enough. And you are absolutely right - networking is truly important - sometimes more so than our resume. Thank you for the references as I am sure others will check them out and be able to benefit. Thanks everyone.

  • Bob Henry
    Bob Henry

    "At this stage in the job search game, your résumé is the key."

    Sorry to contradict you, Gina – recruiters spend on average only 6 seconds reading résumés.

    "Networking" is the key.

    Doing your “due diligence” research to identify WHO the "HIRING MANAGERS" are, and writing to them DIRECTLY (bypassing the officious gatekeepers in the H R department using Applicant Tracking Systems) is "key."

    A bibliography citing the business press:

    http://info.theladders.com/inside-theladders/you-only-get-6-seconds-of-fame-make-it-count

    http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB115862995818367105

    https://billinman.wordpress.com/2007/01/10/careerjournal-how-to-follow-up-with-a-hiring-manager/

    http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121245164954339789

  • Bob Henry
    Bob Henry

    "The vast majority (75 percent) of workers who applied to jobs using various resources in the last year said they never heard back from the employer, according to a nationwide CareerBuilder Survey"

    Link:
    http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seventy-five-percent-of-workers-who-applied-to-jobs-through-various-venues-in-the-last-year-didnt-hear-back-from-employers-careerbuilder-survey-finds-191990281.html

  • Anthony Hauser
    Anthony Hauser

    Towards Nancy Anderson and her "temp work"/"backdoor" comment...I've been a volunteer in a hospital for years. In helping everyone, talking with everyone, doing everything I could for everyone, I had the exact connections to bypass almost any "experience" criteria, take an effective 'intern'/'assistant' title (bypassing most 'certification'/'licensing' criteria for a year or two) and wave aside most 'higher education' (namely, anything above a Bachelor's degree). All I needed was to get my B.S., bat my eyes like a puppy, and boom in.

    Then the hospital got bought out by another hospital...and now hiring is done at the main campus (i.e. not the one I still volunteer at) so the hiring people don't know me from that one random hobo in the emergency room.

    Not that volunteering isn't fun (fyi, I still do it!)...but it is a slight drag that the backdoor isn't always open when you need it the most.

  • GOLDIE G.
    GOLDIE G.

    concerning nancy anderson comment on trying temp work, i was a temp at the bank im at now, started out in the mailroom, got worked up thru the years to the position i have now, supervisor accounts receivables, yes talk about the back door, it does work.

  • Samar Misra
    Samar Misra

    Thanks about what you told me earlier Nancy. It's just that I have usually heard in career articles, from job coaches and job club meetings with hope and optimism of something good happening even of thanking the people who interviewed you despite not getting the job and indicating further interest in the organization's or company's jobs so there can be consideration later on for any other positions or to have a generally, good networking relationship. I have usually thanked people who interviewed me for jobs with government agencies or nonprofits and expressed interest in their future jobs, but still haven't gotten anywhere with such. I wonder when it will all come through with the networking I constantly do and when following tips from career coaches? Thanks, as I hang in there.

  • Harriet L.
    Harriet L.

    Also - don't forget to check your online footprint. MANY employers are looking at that as part of their recruitment process. Some look before they select individuals to interview, some look after as they prepare to make a hiring decision. Anything you post online, try to make sure it is well-written, not espousing extreme viewpoints, and that those posts represent you well. Your digital footprint is about as close to "forever" as any of us might have. If you wouldn't want your employer (or future employer) to see it or make a hiring decision based on it - then find a way to remove it from whatever websites it is posted on.

  • Harriet L.
    Harriet L.

    Scott said "When a future prospective employer sees that your experience date back 30+ years, and are still many years from retirement, you don't get a second look." I disagree, but it's also how you package your resume and experience. I have 30+ years experience. The job market right now seems very hot - I have multiple offers for long-term temp (contract) work (and none of these are $10/hour job either), and they all know that I'm in my 50's. Half the battle is how you present yourself. Unless you've worked at the same place for the past 30 years, don't list each and every job - just the last 10 - 15 years on your application. I handled the prior years with a general statement on my resume - "Prior to 2002, held similar positions in banking and insurance." Take the dates off of your resume as to when you graduated college, high school or trade school (as applicable).

  • RICK EDWARDS
    RICK EDWARDS

    Yea rite!

  • ANDREAS G.
    ANDREAS G.

    If a company doesn't follow up whether positive or negative it's a problem of the companies HR not of the resume. With all the online application today HR lost any sense of politeness and respect and you want to promise me that you can change this by paying you?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Laura, I wish I had all of the answers. Have you tried doing temp work in the healthcare field? Sometimes it helps to come in the backdoor where you can do some temp work and get to know the staff. That will help you to be able to network and get a position. As I mentioned to Bobby, we have all been in your shoes at one point or another. Sometimes it's who you know and not what you know that makes the difference. Did you happen to ask the recruiter for advice?

  • Laura T.
    Laura T.

    I am running into the same problem as Bobby F. I have an AS Degree is Health Information and my Register Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification, but lack the 2 years minimum experience required. I even had a recruiter call me and tell me it looked like I had all the qualifications their employer was looking for with the exception of 6 months experience. What can you do about that?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Bobby this is the age old question: how can I get a job without experience and how will I ever get experience without a job. Sometimes the answer is to try volunteer work if you can find it - just to get your feet wet. Or try coming into it from a different angle - maybe try it out as a security guard where they will train you. We have all been there and have all found ways to get around this. Network with people who are in your field and find out how they got their position and that might help. I wish you all the best.

  • John Gozdenovich
    John Gozdenovich

    Nonsense.I am writer by trade just masquerading as a salesperson first in my employment pursuits.

  • susan gerong
    susan gerong

    I need help on my resume can you help me

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