Things you can do to increase chances of a job interview call
Applying online for jobs is the easiest part and differentiating yourself from the pool of candidates is the key to getting an interview call
A job market is almost like a dating market — everyone is looking for each other but everyone is struggling to find the right match. I have had some significant opportunities job-hunting in some rough conditions in a few different countries. I once switched my career from IT to MedTech marketing with no local Canadian experience and no industry experience. I was also new to the country and hence did not know many people. My last job hunt was during the peak of the COVID period in 2019. Based on my own experience and experience of many people whom I have mentored, nothing is more frustrating than creating that perfect resume and cover letter, applying online and never hearing back from a prospective employer. Here are some tips to increase chances of an interview call:
- Network, Network and Network:
Nothing increases your chances of an interview call more than connecting with people in the company that you are targeting. In an ideal world, you want to connect with the hiring manager without sounding too aggressive and intrusive. Here are some tips:
a. It is too late to build a network when you need it. Whether you have a job or not, always be building your LinkedIn network.
b. Check your network before applying for a job if you have at least a second-degree connection in the company.
c. Reach out to your connection in advance of application through email asking for more information about the company.
d. As counter-intuitive as it sounds — as far as possible — never ask for a job. However, ask for what you would need to be better prepared for the recruitment process. It is unlikely that a person whom you have just met will be able to refer you to the position. However, many people will not mind forwarding your resume to HR or the hiring manager. It is also a good idea to ask for an ‘informational interview’. An informational interview is your opportunity not only to connect with your connection but also to understand if the company is the right fit for you.
What if you do not know anyone in the company? If you happen to know no one in the company, don’t hesitate to reach out and drop an email or Linkedin Inmail to someone senior, be it VP or even CEO of the company. The worst that could happen is that you might not hear back from her/him. But you do not have anything to lose using this strategy. And remember you are not asking for a job — you are either asking for some information about the role or just showing your keen interest in the role.
2) Customize your resume and cover letter:
These days it is unlikely that a human being will first review your resume. Hence, using the right keywords in your resume and cover letter is critical. The best source of those keywords is the job posting. Try to use the same language that the company likely speaks. The ‘robot’ that’s been assigned to review the resumes will certainly look for some keywords, which have to be in your resume. Hence, you will need to customize every resume and cover letter to the company that you are targeting. Now, this can be time-consuming but eventually does increase the chances of you getting an interview call.
3) Get your resume and cover letter reviewed:
Just because you have given hours of effort to create a resume, it does not mean that your resume is perfect. Make sure you get some of your peers or some seniors to review it. You will be surprised how you might get some great feedback and even fix some minor typos or grammatical errors. And by the way, any typos are a big red signal to your recruiters, so make sure that there are no language issues in your resume. Hire some professional resume reviewers if you have to. Some of them might cost you $100 or more, but the cost will be eventually worth it. You can also use Grammarly’s free option to fix basic typo errors.
4) Identify transferable skills:
Are there any experiences sought in the job posting that you do not directly have? Chances are that you have done something that can offer transferable skills to showcase that particular experience. E.g. if the company is seeking leadership experiences, think of all the times when you volunteered, or started a side-hustle or led a group in your school. These are all leadership experiences that are transferable to other roles.
5) Go online if you need to brush up on some skills:
If you still see some experience gaps in your resume, explore if there are any courses that you can do fast to gain some knowledge/experience. Udemy and Linkedin Learning likely have an online course on what you need. It is better to say that you have introductory experience of Python than not mentioning it all in the resume (if Python is an additional skill that the company is looking for).
6) Make sure your Linkedin profile is up to date and professional:
Sometimes you might apply directly through Linkedin (remember that awesome ‘Easy Apply’ button?). Even if you apply directly on the company website or by email, there is a chance that someone might look at your LinkedIn profile before considering you for a call. Make sure your profile is up to date and your picture is professional. Do not just crop your picture from the group photo that you took at your friend’s wedding. Your profile gives the first impression and you want to be at your best there. Here are some more tips on improving your LinkedIn profile:
a) Write a compelling headline
b) Make sure your professional summary is clear and concise
c) Make sure you add a background picture
d) Make sure you mention all your relevant skills
e) Add some good endorsements
As they say, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years back and the second best is today. A job hunt is a skill that you should always be building whether you are in the market for a job or not. Once you get an interview call, you also need to prepare for the interview, research the company and prepare for many technical and behavioural questions. However, the first critical step is always to get to the point when you get an interview call. I hope that the ideas above will help you get your foot in the door.
You can also reach the author at https://www.linkedin.com/in/avinashsohal/ for any questions or comments.
