Have you been submitting job applications with no callbacks from hiring managers?
The initial step to enhance your employment prospects is to identify potential issues. Job search could be demanding and lengthy, yet this useful problem-solving manual can help you determine why you are being overlooked and how to get back on track.
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With the New Year approaching, it’s an ideal time to regain control and capitalize on the increased recruitment activity often seen in the first quarter of each year.
Here are four explanations why your job applications may not be eliciting the expected response:
#1) Your application isn’t specific to a role or business – there’s a disparity in abilities.
#2) Your CV doesn’t make it beyond the initial 10-second read-through.
#3) Not adhering to instructions.
#4) Factors beyond your control.
Now, let’s scrutinize and tackle these issues to enhance your application success rate and receive more job interviews.
Learning Objectives:
Reason #1: Ill-defined job search
If I were to ask you, “What specific position are you targeting?”
Would your answer involve:
- Any QA role
- Any job in the XYZ area within the IT sector with a certain salary range
- Testing
- Test management or test guiding, if you’ve just completed your studies
None of these responses are adequate. It’s similar to googling “food” in the hope of a meal instead of searching for a specific salmon recipe.
Without a clear understanding of your ideal role or a list of prospective employers, your job search becomes a futile chase.
When your job application lacks precision and direction, you end up applying to any job that slightly matches your skills, usually getting little to no feedback.
Invest some time in self-reflection by asking these questions:
- What is my current level as a QA professional?
- What exactly is the role I’m searching for? If contemplating a career switch, are you ready to start from an entry-level role or do you plan to accomplish the necessary training or certification to target a higher or intermediate position?
- Which skills do you wish to utilize moving forward, and which ones you’d like to abandon?
- Is there a particular company you dream of working for?
- Given my skills, which job roles would best suit me?
- What is the main reason you’re job hunting? Is it for better pay, advanced position, a desired work place, etc.? Understand your motivations for being in the job market.
Knowing the answers to these questions will assist in narrowing your options and providing clearer focus, to ensure your job search is a mission rather than a blind wild hunt.
Reason #2: Inefficient Resume
Image: Forbes
Creating an effective resume is a vital skill for professional progression.
Adhere to these easy recommendations:
1) Tailor your CV towards the specific role you wish to secure.
2) Remove any irrelevant information that doesn’t relate to the job you’re applying for. For instance, if you once gave music lessons, that information is superfluous on your CV.
3) A CV is not a life story, so avoid including every single detail.
4) Likewise, don’t feel obliged to hide employment gaps, age, educational background, GPA, or any other perceived weak points. You wouldn’t want to work with people with such narrow viewpoints. You have the choice.
If you prefer not to disclose certain professional details, it’s not mandatory to add them to your CV.
5) As your experience grows, your CV should reduce in length, while emphasizing your accomplishments. Highlight leadership skills instead of merely your duties.
Consider Yahoo’s ex-CEO Marissa Mayer’s CV as a reference.
6) Resist exaggerating or lying about your abilities or expertise level.
7) Design a neat, mistake-free, and easy-to-read CV. If you think your writing abilities could be enhanced, “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. is a good read.
8) Don’t underestimate technical skills; they can’t replace poor grammar skills. Read: How Poor Grammar Can Ruin Your Chances Of Getting Hired
9) Add relevant keywords that reflect your skill set to your CV.
10) Avoid using flashy fonts, background, margins, headers, etc.
11) Don’t simply fill a generic template with your data. Format it uniquely to adequately represent your content. Remember, it’s the content that appeals, not the layout.
12) Have your CV reviewed by at least two people in your field. Ideally, these reviewers are not professional CV reviewers from job sites. While they are certainly adept, they might always find something to “correct” for you as part of their profession.
A friend, family member, colleague, or mentor could offer a more candid feedback.
13) When optional, add a cover letter with your CV. It’s essential when you need to explain certain aspects not covered in your CV.
For more advice and guides on writing and refining your CV, check out:
- Beginner’s Guide to Writing a Great Software Testing CV (with Free CV Sample)
- Rising Trends in the Job Hunting Market – Shorter CVs
- 5 Polishing Tips for a Surprisingly Good CV – 5 Minute CV Transformation
- How to List Certifications on Your CV
Reason #3: Not adhering to instructions
Everyone has their peculiarities, and so do companies. Therefore, if a job application comes with a set of requirements and constraints, it’s crucial to heed them.
Prior to submitting your application, thoroughly examine the job advertisement, and ensure:
- If the job ad specifically requests a cover letter explaining why you’re interested in the company, just submitting your CV could automatically eliminate you from the running.
- If the job lists certain skills as mandatory and desirable, don’t bother applying if you don’t meet the mandatory criteria.
- If a job states, “Only applicants residing in the NYC region should apply,” don’t apply if you don’t live there.
- If a company mandates you to enter detailed academic and work experience data on their platform, complete each step as required. Don’t skip any step and just upload your CV expecting to be contacted. It might be tedious, but if this company is top on your dream employer list, it’s worth the hassle.
- If you’re advised not to call for inquiries, respect that and don’t call.
No matter how fitting you consider yourself for the role, it’s important to follow the listed regulations and requirements.
Reason #4: On occasion, it’s not your mistake
You might do everything correctly and not gain the expected outcomes. At times, it’s not your fault.
- Occasionally, a job ad is for research purposes only, enabling consulting firms to assess the current candidate market. An actual opening may not exist.
- Sometimes, despite posting a job ad, the company might opt not to fill the position due to budget issues or other considerations.
- The position might have been filled internally, and the job ad is simply a formality adhering to company’s hiring rules.
In these scenarios, which come under Reason #4, there’s nothing you can do but to carry on looking for opportunities elsewhere.
Brief check list:
- Are you pursuing jobs fitting with your experience and matching your skillset?
- Is your CV prepared, proof-read for spelling errors, properly structured, and specific to the particular job role you’re applying for?
- Have you added a cover letter?
- If you’re applying online via a job portal or website, have you undertaken all the necessary steps and developed a detailed profile?
- Have you followed all supplementary application instructions, if any are given?
Ultimately,
- Have you done everything possible to ensure your job application is comprehensive and fruitful?
If your responses to these questions are “yes,” then you’re on the right track.
Wait for that call and monitor your inbox. Promising opportunities are on the horizon.
Best wishes!
Recommended materials:
- 18 Tips for Successful Job Interviews
- Actual Software Testing Interview Q & A
- How To Communicate Effectively With A Recruiter
About the contributor: These recommendations were shared by Swati, a part of the STH group.
Thanks for reading and hope this was informative. Please share your job search tips and strategies with us. Feel free to leave any comments or queries below. Best of luck!