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Articles
By
Miriam Salpeter | U.S.News &
World Report LP: Statistics show that approximately 50 percent of
mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking
system (ATS) to screen candidates for job opportunities.
There are a variety of reasons recruiters and
hiring managers adopt this type of technology. With an ATS in place, human
resources departments can automate and store hiring documents online so
HR professionals never have to worry about sifting through stacks of
paperwork or hundreds of emails to find what they need.
Colin Day, the founder and chief executive
officer of iCIMS, Inc., a provider of talent acquisition software for growing
businesses, is in an excellent position to advise job seekers on how to maximize
their online applications. Here are Day's top suggestions for getting the most
visibility out of your online application:
1. Thoroughly read job descriptions.
Most recruiters will tell you a big pet peeve is hearing from job seekers who
apply even if they aren't qualified for the job. Take the time to understand
exactly what the company expects from applicants for jobs that interest you; do
not ignore the detailed description of what the job entails. "ATS technologies
can filter candidates by those whose responses dovetail best with specific job
descriptions. For the best response rates, make sure your content and experience
match up accordingly," Day says.
2. Create an original cover letter.
If the company asks for a
cover letter, be sure to include one. Make sure to write one specific to
your accomplishments and skills and one that addresses the job description
properly. Go a step further and mention how you will use that knowledge and
those skills on the job. Avoid sending out a generic, run-of-the-mill cover
letter. "Despite the cover letter being digital, it's often the first thing
recruiters read when viewing candidate profiles--even ahead of the resume," Day
explains. "Use the cover letter as an opportunity to showcase your personality,
qualifications, and desire for the job."
3. Identify key words and tailor your
resume. Take your time and look over your resume. Find the
key words in the job description and make sure you indicate how your
accomplishments address those requirements. Be sure to customize your resume
and/or cover letter slightly to each specific job.
4. Make sure your responses are on
target and error free. "With paper applications, poorly written
submissions can be tossed in the 'circular file,' never to be seen again," Day
says. "But with digital applications, error-laden content lives on at that
company, potentially hurting your chances for a relationship with the employer
in the future as well." This is a scary thought, but one that should motivate
you to triple-check your content for spelling, content, and grammar.
Additionally, Day suggests you make sure all of your information is completely
spelled out--in other words, avoid abbreviations. In many cases, abbreviations
that may be understood readily by the hiring managers are not familiar to the
first-line recruiters.
5. Maintain one candidate profile per
company. Once you apply to a company that uses an ATS, the organization
saves your personal information. While you should tailor your resume and/or
cover letter for each job submission, maintain one master profile for all of
your applications for that company. "Multiple profiles in one company's system
can cause confusion," Day says. "By only submitting one profile per company, you
can eliminate the odds of the wrong profile being disqualified by a first-line
recruiter."
6. Fill out all fields within the
application process. By filling out every field, you are not just
giving information that could make you stand out from the competition, but also
demonstrating your interest and desire for the job. Many recruiters just skip
over candidates who don't complete their applications. Also, Day explains that
with an ATS in place, many companies filter candidates by their responses to
certain fields within the online application forms. Don't miss out on any
chances to be included in the recruiters' filtering processes for the position.
7. Ensure your social profile is
current. Companies are now encouraging candidates to include
professional information from their
social profiles, typically LinkedIn, Google+, or Facebook, within their
online application process. "The ability to view your dynamic social profile(s),
allows recruiters to see your current work status and determine whether timing
is right to extend you an interview or even a job offer. At iCIMS, we refer to
this as a 'social resume,'" Day says.
8. Clean up your public social media
profile. A
technology-savvy hiring company is more likely to take an active interest in
your social media profile postings. Make sure you don't have public images or
content that would distract, or worse yet, deter hiring managers or recruiters
from wanting to hire you. Don't provide red flags for recruiters and hiring
managers. "If used properly, social media can help you connect with potential
employers--just make sure your online data is working for you, not against you,"
Day concludes.
9. Review all the information you
imported before submitting. Before hitting the submit button, take a
final glance at the content you have provided. Keep in mind that once you hit
that button, your information is sent to the recruiter directly. First
impressions are important, so make the best one possible when you apply.
Miriam Salpeter
is a job search and social media consultant, career coach, author, speaker,
resume writer, and owner of Keppie
Careers. She is author of Social Networking for Career Success. Miriam
teaches job seekers and entrepreneurs how to incorporate social media tools
along with traditional strategies to empower their success.
More From US News & World Report
Courtesy:
http://en-maktoob.yahoo.com/
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