Application Anguish – Why Aren’t You Hearing Back?
There’s no silence more haunting than the one that comes after you hit the send button on an email with your resume attached. Despondent IT job seekers are frequently left wondering – is it me, or is it them? The truth is, it’s often a little of both.
What the Silence Says:
1) You’re not qualified. Most IT job postings are very specific about the technical skills required. Yet hiring managers repeatedly receive resumes from applicants who are seriously overreaching. If you don’t know Java from C++, don’t apply for that programming job. If the position requires networking skills, but your expertise is in app development, move along. Read the job specs carefully, and don’t let desperation drive you to applying for a job that you are not suited for. It just wastes everyone’s time.
2) Your resume has problems. Technology is everywhere – even in the hiring process. Many organizations, especially large ones, now use “talent management software” to screen out resumes before a human ever lays eyes on a page. Make sure you are keyword-optimizing your resume and cover letter. And in case you make it past the machines, your resume also needs to be in a neat, easy-to-read format.
3) You got Googled. According to Jobvite’s 2012 Social Recruitment Survey, 92% of all organizations used some form of social media in their staffing efforts. That means that if you haven’t yet cleared all those frat party pictures off of your Facebook page, now is the time. And make sure that the skills and experience you list on professional networking sites such as LinkedIn match what you are submitting on resumes. It’s easy to check for consistency – and people will.
4) The hiring manager is overwhelmed. Between screening hundreds of resumes and trying to coordinate management to interview prospects, the hiring process can drag. One former HR insider estimates that a normal hiring cycle takes at least 2 months – and that’s if a candidate from the first round of picks gets hired. If none of those work out, things start all over again with 2nd-tier candidates. So be patient.
How to Break the Silence:
1) Look for current connections. Your best bet is an end-run around the screening computers. Develop your professional network both in person and online, so that when a position comes up, you have a human contact who can go to bat for you.
2) Become a (social) media maven. In addition to networking on sites like LinkedIn, try blogging to build up professional credibility, and follow recruiters on Twitter.
3) Get professional help. Whether it’s just a little resume polishing, or engaging the services of a recruiter, it often pays to have a professional on your side.
One job source that won’t leave you waiting and wondering is Triumph Services. Our technical recruiting specialists offer prompt, responsive access to great IT job opportunities, plus helpful advice on how to make the most of them. Browse our openings, or better yet – contact us today!
