The most obvious shortfall candidates bestow upon themselves are the common mistakes and errors when submitting applications/resumes online: missing or incomplete information, non-formatted resumes or resumes with special characters that cannot be read by automated scanning tools, not tailoring resumes to the specific job announcements, and not understanding the follow-up process. The cure to avoiding these shortfalls is understanding how to complete a killer job search.
The basics of job searches include: searching jobs on job boards – indeed, monster, glassdoor, etc. and of course searching jobs on company websites. Candidates often ask which is better. Personally, I believe job boards vs company websites to search for open positions are almost equal because job postings are put out simultaneously; sometimes posted on job boards before the company website and vice versa. Develop a goal of what you really want to accomplish: work in an office environment, become a part of a working team, work independently, and choose a field that pertains to your specific experience. For example, if you are a Logistics Specialist – you may transition into an Administrative Specialist or a Management Analyst but not a Dentist (unless you have the proper education/certification). Simply put, set your goals to a career you have a chance qualifying for. Pay close attention to the job announcement: ensure you qualify, submit all working documents required, and follow up. The follow up is B.I.G. Recruiters and HR specialist review hundreds of resumes per week. Usually, you will receive a confirmation email which you can in-turn use to contact the company and inquire about the status. Also, refer to LinkedIn and find a recruiter or HR rep who works for the company you applied for….network.
Your resume should be professionally completed with limited use of special characters and NO color/water marks. It looks great but automated tracking systems cannot read them and your resume is immediately discarded. Target your resume/cover letter to the job opening to show you are fit for the position. Finding a job of your dream is time consuming and frustrating at times. Patience and persistence WINS!!! Don’t waste your time applying to jobs you know you do not qualify for or jobs that don’t meet your emotional/financial requirements. Good Luck during your job search!
