help finding a job

If you need help finding a job, you’re not alone

Back in 2013, John Sullivan, a PhD in human resources, used data analysis to explain why most candidates need help finding a job. His reasoning was that if job candidates understand the numbers, they’ll be better armed to handle the realities of the job search. And I appreciate that. I believe that the best service a resume writer can offer is a large (and sometimes painful) dose of reality, and learning how to make that reality work for you.

Understanding these facts will help you find a job

Most resumes compete, on average, with 250 other resumes for the same opening so you should be really confident that you’re qualified.

75% of all resumes submitted through websites are rejected by the ATS which means that if you want an interview, get that resume in front of human eyes. (network! network!)

Your resume only gets 3 -6 seconds’ initial consideration so the compelling information belongs at the top, not your “objective.”

An unprofessional email address (or one that screams “out of date, like an AOL address) can disqualify you. True story: I once received a resume with the email address, “debbielovestoparty@XX.com.” Even worse – she was applying for a lead QA engineer role. Bet those systems would’ve been tested well!

Your LI profile photo matters  Sullivan cites data that shows recruiters spend an average of 19 percent of their time simply viewing your profile picture. Enough said.

Be Aware That Even if Your Resume Fits the Job Posting, You May Still Be Rejected To make matters worse, many of the corporate position descriptions that applicants are reading are poorly written or out of date when they are posted. So even if an applicant did spend the required time to fully read the job posting, they may still end up applying for a job that exists only on paper. So even though an applicant actually meets the written qualifications, they may be later rejected (without their knowledge) because after they applied, the hiring manager finally decided that they actually wanted a significantly different set of qualifications. (Sullivan 2013).”

No one’s keeping your resume on file the position isn’t a good fit, according to the recruiter, but he’ll keep your resume on file and let you know when a more suitable opportunity comes up. Not likely.

For the very reason that the odds are stacked against each one of us, it is incumbent on job seekers not to ignore the facts, harsh though they be. Persevere intelligently, and you will get a job. If one coach’s advice doesn’t work, try another’s. If every job search expert says the same thing, then maybe you ought to listen. So all of you without any photos in your profile…..you know what to do!

For more insight, read Here’s why you can’t get a job

Need help finding a job if your job search isn’t working? Let’s talk

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