Crunching away at job applications and getting nowhere is pretty demoralising. Here we tell you how to work the job market smarter, not harder, to get the results you deserve from your job application efforts. It is all about focus and planning - not just more activity and panic !!
Step 1 - Take stock, What do you have to offer now ?
Perform a ruthless self audit. List your experience, education, achievements and skills. We are not talking about what you hope to become at this stage - but what you have achieved to date and how you can use these achievements to land your next job.
Step 2 - Make a list of job ads that match what you are offering.
Now revisit all relevant sources of job ads - newspapers, journals, online job sites. Review the job ad requirements. Do you meet them ??
Step 3 - If you don't meet the requirements, don't apply !
If the ad asks specifically for experience or education that you do not have, cross it out and move on. Employers list requirements in ads as a means to exclude applications. Save your time, energy and emotion and just don't apply for the roles that you don't fit in. You wouldn't have got them anyway.
Step 4 - Concentrate on those job ads where you actually meet the requirements !
Make a realistic list of those job ads where you really do meet the requirements. The number of ads you will be replying to will be fewer but your chance of getting a favourable reply will be much higher !!!
Step 5 - Apply - and don't leave any doubt about your fit for the job !!
When you apply make it absolutely obvious that you match their requirements in both your resume and cover letter. A hiring managers first scan of your application will be in under 30 seconds as they look for a match to the essential skills and experience they stipulated. So make it clear up front that you meet these requirements
Step 6 - Be prepared to tweak each and every application.
Unless every job you are applying for is identical in every way the likelihood of one generic resume getting you through the first application assessment is very low. Reshape your cover letter and resume to mirror each job ad - changing the emphasis to correspond to the job needs specified. A targeted high quality application will beat a generic resume every time and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Step 7 - Get organised !
This is a very important step. Use a spreadsheet (or some other organisational tool) to create a calendar that lists all the suitable job opportunities that you have identified. Include contact details, ad date, closing date, requirements, date of your application, response, date of online tests (if any) date of interviews etc
Step 8 - Stay in control and manage your activity.
Use your calendar to manage and prioritise your activity. This way you know when a job ads closing date is and when interviews are scheduled so you can prioritise and put in the necessary effort for what's coming next. If you don't get a response to your application after a set period send a follow up email. If you don't hear for 2 weeks assume the opportunity is dead and move on.
Step 9 - Keep the activity up and prioritise !!
Keep sending out targeted applications and record exactly what you are doing. You are bound to hit hurdles and get rejections, but it doesn't matter. Just move on to the next activity on your schedule. If you have an interview coming up switch your attention to preparing for that. Concentrate on preparation in order of priority without panicking about recent results.
Step 10 - Keep emotion out of it !!!!
Treat the job application process as a series of steps and hurdles. If you manage it like a project and treat it unemotionally you will feel in control. When you fail, dust yourself down, review your calendar and move on to your next opportunity.
AND REMEMBER - NEVER GIVE UP !!!!!