Week after week, your phone doesn’t ring. And your email doesn’t ding. Not exactly the response you’d hoped to get from prospective employers when you began your job search, right?
The good news is that, thanks to renewed vigor in the job market, skilled professionals are in high demand. Still, landing the right job requires diligence and patience. Assuming you have most of the skills the jobs you’re applying for require, there could be a number of reasons you haven’t been called in for an interview yet.
Here are four tips for getting your job search mojo back and seeing the results you want.
1. Target the real decision makers
It’s not always possible to press further, but if you’re really interested in a position, don’t settle for sending your resume to the black hole of a general email inbox. If not already listed in the job posting, sometimes some simple online research will reveal the name and email of the hiring manager or the person the role reports to. Sending your materials directly to these people can be the extra step that sets you apart.
2. Customize your resume and cover letter
In the world of the resume, one size definitely does not fit all. Boilerplate resumes (or even worse, boilerplate cover letters) don’t sufficiently dovetail your skills and background with the job.
Look carefully at the details outlined in the employment ad and use some of the same words in your materials. For example, if the employer is looking for a certified payroll professional who has worked in the retail industry for more than five years — and that describes you — present that information prominently in both your resume and cover letter. Also be sure to highlight any soft skills that would make you a good fit for the position.