By Dorcas Karuana,
Often, job seekers wonder why they never hear anything back after they hit ‘send’ on the email with a CV attached or on the on-line job application. If you’re very lucky, you might have a preliminary email exchange with a recruiter and then never hear from them again. It’s a depressing experience, and one which also casts a shadow on the hiring company’s reputation. So why does it happen? Is it you, is it them, or is it just something every candidate must prepare for in the hiring process?
There’s no question job seekers face an uphill climb. High unemployment nationally means more competition for every position. An oft-cited recruiter’s complaint is that as many as 50 percent of people applying for a given job simply aren’t qualified. The deck is definitely stacked against the job seeker. So how do you break through?
Here are my top 5 reasons you’re not hearing back after applying for a job, with five suggestions for ways to avoid the CV Black Hole.
Why You Never Hear Back:
1.You really aren’t qualified.
If a job description specifies a software developer with 3-5 years of experience and you’re a recent graduate with one internship, it’s unlikely you’ll get a call. Avoid disappointment don’t apply for jobs for which you lack qualifications. Most job descriptions are written with very specific requirements. Yes, the company is trying to find the most qualified candidate; yes, they are trying to weed people out. It’s not personal, it’s business
2.You haven’t keyword-optimized your CV or application.
Job descriptions are salted with keywords specific to the skills or attributes the company seeks in applicants. A close read of the job description is a necessity, as is keyword-optimizing (making sure you have the right words on your CV and cover letter) if you’re using one, or email. If the job description lists words in a certain order, list of information in the same order in your CV.
3. Your CV isn’t formatted properly.
You might think distinctive formatting will set your CV apart, but automated programs don’t care if a document is pretty. Help a machine out. Be consistent in formatting – consider using separate lines for former employer, job title, and years worked.
4. The company received 500 CVs for one job posting, and yours was 499th.
Looking for a job is a job. Do your research – know which companies you want to work for, organizations where you sense culture fit. Every morning scour the job postings and jump on anything for which you’re qualified (and in which you’re interested.) Being early with your CV or application does matter. Check back often in the first few days to make sure the listing hasn’t changed. Often a company will post a job and halfway through the process change the description.
5. Your CV is substantially different from your online profile.
LinkedIn, Dice and other online profile sites can be useful tools, so it‘s important to make sure they match what’s on your CV. This may seem to be a contradiction – in #1 I advised keyword optimization – but it’s really common sense. Jobs worked, employers, years on the job and other details should match. The subtext here is always tell the truth.
It’s hard to compete well within the system. Your best bet is still a personal referral (if the advert does not say that canvassing will disqualify you as a candidate and even that may not be enough to get a call. A guy I know gave his CV to a woman who worked at a company where a good job had been posted. He received an automated email noting his CV had been received but never heard another word. After a month he asked his friend to check with the recruiter. It turned out the job description had changed, but the recruiter never bothered to let the referring employee – or the applicant – know. This isn’t unusual, unfortunately. So what can you do?
How You Can Get Noticed:
1.Consider starting a blog in your area of interest or expertise. It’s a social world; time to build a trail of breadcrumbs leading to you. Include the blog, and links to any especially relevant posts, in your emails to recruiters with whom you’re working.
2. Get professional help with your CV. A CV writer can help you increase your odds of getting through the talent management software.
3. If at all possible, don’t wait until you’re out of work to find your next job. I realize for many people this isn’t possible or might even be offensive, but your chances of finding the next job are best when you’re still employed.
4. Network. Old advice, but still true. Be visible, be upbeat, be informed about industry trends and news in your area of expertise.
Dorcas is the head of recruitment at Corporate Manpower East Africa Ltd. Email: dorcas(@)corporatemanpower.co.ke