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Articles and Information - Employment
The Job Application Tango
by Kryssa
Lighthall
We do it all the time. When we’re ready for a job change we go online
to search for a better job. You go to your favorite job board or
employer’s site, find a job that fits you perfectly, and submit
your resume and nothing happens.
Just a typical online job hunting experience that we’re all used
to. You are now in the Bermuda Triangle of job hunting, sending
your resume into the unknown digital zone that goes in and never
comes back.
So, what can you do to improve your odds of receiving that next
step of the employer contacting you for the job interview? First,
it’s important to understand what’s happening on the employer’s
end. Employers nowadays will receive hundreds to thousands of resumes
after posting a job in any given week. Their computers and networks
are overwhelmed from the entourage of resumes that are pouring into
their email and HR application management software.
Some employers have the technology that can handle all the resumes
pouring in and those are the ones that you will get an auto-responder
message stating that they have received your resume and will contact
you if they want to schedule you for a job interview. Other employers
don’t, their Human Resources departments have been downsized or
their budgets have been cut so much they can’t even afford a computer.
Does that mean you shouldn’t even bother applying for the job? Of
course not. There are thousands of new jobs posted daily on job
boards. To help increase your chances of success begin the “Job
Application Tango.” Here’s how:
Step 1: Submit your resume properly
•Don’t apply for jobs where you don’t meet the specific requirements
the employer is posting in the job. Usually, if an employer post
a skill is required you can bet you need that skill to be considered
for the job. Make sure you are fully qualified for the position.
•Follow the resume submission instructions perfectly. If an employer
asks you to only apply online through the job board or attach your
resume in word format then do so, don’t copy and paste your resume
in the body of the email.
Step 2: Network your way into the new job and company
•Find out if any of your friends work for the company you are applying
to. You can do this by calling them or shooting them an e-mail.
•Check with your local business associations or professional organizations
to see if they have a message board or forum where you post your
questions.
•If you still come up empty handed, search for the names of people
in the HR department on the company’s website. Then try to Google
them or scour the internet to find a way to contact them.
•After you’ve networked to someone that works for that company,
send them an email explaining your desire to work there and ask
them if they can forward your resume to the department hiring manager
or to the HR department.
In today’s tough economy and competition for jobs, it’s hard to
just get an interview. To make sure your resume doesn’t get lost
amongst the thousands of other job seeker resumes, practice the
“job application tango.” It takes a little more time and effort,
but is sure to pay off eventually.
Kryssa Lighthall is a writer for http://www.careersinhouston.com.Houston
Jobs and Work
at Home Jobs Online Business, http://www.work-at-home-magazine.com
Article Source: ArticlesOn.com
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