Does The Freedom Of The Internet Make It Easier To Secure A Job?
There is no denying that today’s world of internet job portals make job searching easier and positions more accessible, but the key question is:
“Is it better?”
As a successful ‘head hunting’ and professional CV writing firm, with over 15 years in operation, we speak from a position from experience when we say that the answer is most definitely ‘NO’.
The fact that you can apply easily by pushing a button online and firing off your CV through the ether to all and every vacancy which grasps your interest is not necessarily helping your job search or achieving the level of response which you hoped for or deserve.
Let us take this a step further and explain, why.
Last week, we received a call from a candidate looking for our assistance to write a processional CV because he was in a desperate situation and nearing the end of his redundancy fund. When we asked for a summary of his job search to date, the answer he gave us was staggering; between March and August 2011 he had applied online to over 100 roles and only received two follow up phone calls and one interview invitation, which he turned down on discovering the salary package.
Our next question seemed obvious to us, but seemed to come as a complete shock to our client:
“How long did it take you to research all those roles and tailor your CV to each before applying? ”
This was received by a stunned silence which of course, spoke volumes to us.
The point we are trying to highlight here is that just because you can apply for multiple vacancies at the touch of a button, should not give you free reign to send out generic CVs in a scatter gun approach, with no tailoring or thought to the vacancy in question. Your efforts will be in vain and you will invariably lose out on an interview to someone who was more astute and calculated than you and did their homework.
If your CV is tailored correctly to suit the essential criteria of a role, you will become as interesting to the head hunter or recruiter as the role is to you. Head hunters want to work with you, not against you and it is their job to find candidates for the post. After all, commission depends on it.
Equally, making the right career move should be top of your list of priorities. The following steps are highly advisable if you wish to take control of your career:
Rank
Print off each advertisement and rank them; making a short list of your own of which roles can provide you with the challenges and career progression you are seeking.
Project
Before you apply, turn the exercise into a focused mini-project, making each application count.
Due Diligence
If the name of the organisation is available, complete your due diligence by reading news reports and the annual report to find out more about the financial position of the organisation and any challenges which they are facing. The last thing you want to do is pick up a poisoned challis, unless you are a turnaround expert!
Contact
Make contact with the HR lead, head hunter or recruiter advertising the role to request a job description, or some further verbal information and make sure that you register your name and interest with them so it sticks in their minds.
Tailor
Tailor your CV by highlighting areas of your skills and experience which match the essential and desired criteria.
Key Phrases
Pick out 4-5 key phrases which were used in the advertisement, job description or in your discussion with the person handling the appointment and incorporate them into your document.
Research
If you are able to find out the name of the organisation, research them by reading through their website, board structure, annual report and online news letters; trying to incorporate a paragraph into your application email or letter which shows your interest in a recent company development.
Take these simple steps and you will suddenly discover that not only are you receiving calls of interest and interview invitations, but you are actually becoming more engaged in your job search and genuinely interested in the roles you have seen. Ultimately at formal interview stage, your interest, attributable skills and research will come across and significantly increase your chances of making it to the next stage of the process, or even receiving an offer of employment.
As the Founder of Grieves Pryce Executive CV Services, http://www.professionalcvexperts.co.uk, Tracey manages the day to day operation of the business, ensuring that the highest levels of quality and service are maintained; she also prides herself on developing high impact, interview-winning, executive level CVs.
As a testimony to her success, she has assisted over 1000 executives in the last 10 years; guiding, harnessing talent, focussing on achievements and ultimately securing interviews and opening the door to senior management and board level opportunities. http://www.professionalcvexperts.co.uk/resources
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