6 things recruiters and hiring managers wish you knew

Do you feel like every resume you send out in your job search ends up in a void without even being seen by a hiring manager? Have you got zero calls from companies throughout your five-week job search? Then, the fault must not be in your stars, but in your resume. Here are six things that recruiters and hiring managers wish you knew about the hiring process:

1. Customize your resume

Imagine throwing a $5k birthday party to realize that every one of your guests gave you the same store-bought birthday card with no personalized text? That’s how hiring managers feel when they announce an open spot in their company and applicants send in generic resumes. In order to stand out from the crowd, you need to make your resume extra special. Spend an hour or two on your resume and tailor it for the job.

2. Use a simple resume template

Does your resume still have graphics, tables, text boxes, and five kinds of fancy fonts? Then, you have not created a resume. You have created an ATS nightmare. Ensure that your resume is ready for the ATS test by removing graphics, pictures, columns, tables, and text boxes from it. A clean and clear resume format with lots of white space is the way to go.

3. Employ keywords

Keywords are the tiny little word soldiers that fight the battle for you in the job hunt. Do you want to ensnare a great job opportunity with amazing benefits on your job hunt? Then, fortify your resume with ample keywords. It isn’t enough to simply list keywords on your resume. You must use the right keywords from the job description across your cover letter and LinkedIn profile as well.

4. Networking is important

Are you under the misconception that you must fight the battles of job hunting alone, without consulting a single friend? Then, you might have to ready yourself for a long, long job search. Networking is the best way to find job opportunities faster. There are many things you can do daily to expand your professional network and ensure your chances of getting a good job. Try to connect with your network and ask them for help with your job search. Ask someone from your network to be a professional reference for you or to provide a testimonial for your resume.

5. Do your research

It is important to learn as much as you can about the company before you start typing away at your resume. Use the internet to find the employer’s website. What is the mission and vision of the company? What things does the employer value? What do previous employees say about working for the employer? You can use resources like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Twitter to find out about your potential employer.

6. Prepare enough for interviews

Once the hiring manager spots your resume and decides that you are a worthy candidate to meet and speak with, they will call you to schedule an interview. Get all the information you need from that phone call and start your interview preparations. Prepare your answers for common interview questions and brush up your knowledge on industry-related topics. Read about the latest developments in your sector and stay tuned to any news about the employer.