Applicant tracking system

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How To Get A Higher-Level Job

You want a job that's one or two levels higher than your current job. How do you apply? Well, definitely not through an ATS.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are designed to find exact matches, and if you are trying to land a higher-level job, you are not an exact match. But the good news is I can give you a workaround.

Lots of people get hired into higher-level positions, but not through applying online.

2 Steps To Get A Higher-Level JobÂ

Step one in this process is to learn to go around the ATS. You need to connect with people who work at the company. Not the recruiter. Not even the hiring manager. You need to connect with people who would be your peers in the organization.

Then, you need to focus on step two, which is to tell a great connection story. A connection story is how you feel connected to the mission of the company. What would get you up out of bed every day and want to crush it for them? You need to identify with these people who would be your future peers.

After you've found a handful of future peers to connect with, put together this connection story and send it to them via LinkedIn. Ask them to connect. Here's an example of what that connection request message should look like:

"Hey! Can we connect? I have a story I'd love to share about your company."

Then, when they accept, message them and share the story about why you're a huge fan of the company, and that's why you're really interested in the XYZ position, the higher-level position.

This going to prompt them to check out your LinkedIn profile and more than likely just forward it to the hiring manager, saying something like, "Hey, this person reached out to me. They're interested in the job you've posted."

Why does this matter? Because the ATS is run by recruiters who are told to find exact matches, and they're going to screen you out. If your LinkedIn profile gets forwarded to the hiring manager from a person who works in a totally different department, you're not going through that same screening process as other applicants who apply online. In fact, they're elevating you because they're saying, "This person made the effort to reach out and tell me their story. You might be interested in them."

Now your story gets in front of the hiring manager, and the hiring manager thinks, "Oh, love the story. Looks like they might be able to do the job. Let me pass them to the recruiter." And then the recruiter sets up an interview because even though you're not a match, they were told by the hiring manager to do so.

I've seen a lot of people get higher-level jobs when they follow these two steps. But let me be clear: When you're applying online, there's no resume fix or cover letter or LinkedIn profile tip that I can give you that's going to get you through the ATS and get you a shot at that job because you don't meet the requirements.

If you believe you can do the job, you've got to tell a connection story and talk to other people in order to get in front of the hiring manager.

This job search strategy works. If you don't believe me, sign up for Work It DAILY where I'm working with thousands of job seekers right nowâand these tips are working. Try us free for seven days.

These tips will help you conduct a proactive job search. It is a game changer, and it's really needed in this job market, especially if you're trying to get a higher-level job. You can do it, but you need new and better techniques to succeed. And I would love to teach them to you.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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How To Get A Higher-Level Job

3 Reasons Why Job Boards Could Hinder Your Search

At one time, job boards were the way to go for job seekers. It's where you can post your resume for employers and recruiters to view and apply for job openings. But today, it's a different story.

The modern-day job search has changed, and finding your dream job (or just a good job) is about personal branding and leveraging your professional network.

Imagine you are a hiring manager. Would you be more likely to take time to interview a candidate you don't know except for what's been given on a submitted cover letter and resume or someone who's been referred to you? A referral has much less risk, and that's why networking has a higher success rate than job boards when it comes to securing a position.

This doesn't mean that job boards are dead because there are plenty of niche job boards worth going to as a job seeker. But you can't build an effective job search strategy around applying for jobs on job boards.

Here are a few other things about the limitations of using job boards when you're a job seeker.

1. Recruiters May Never See Your Cover Letter And Resume

Just because you apply for a job on a job board doesn't mean an actual person will ever look at your cover letter and resume.

More than 85% of companies are now using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to review and rank resumes according to skills, experience, and keywords. The simple fact is that companies use internal algorithms, so ensuring a strong ranking is extremely difficult. A recent HR manager told me that they get an average of 400 resumes for each position and only look at the top 10-20âmeaning 380 resumes are not even reviewed.

In many instances, before a job posting goes up on the job board, it's already been shared around internally at the employer and by trusted sources. So, it's likely hundreds applied before the posting even made it to the job board.

2. Many Job Openings Don't Get Posted On Job Boards

Big job boards can be overwhelming with job postings (both relevant and irrelevant to you). This is a similar perspective for the employer when they get an overwhelming number of applicants for the job opening posted on a job board.

It's also the reason why some may prefer to work solely with recruiters or find other means to source the right talent. If you're not networking with the right contacts, you're missing out on opportunities that will never be found on job boards.

3. Recruiters Have More Resources To Find Talent

Recruiters/hiring managers talk about job candidates during hiring process

Recruiters and hiring managers have professional networks too! Whether it's a professional acquaintance or reaching out to their own workforce, they can put together a list of potential candidates before even posting a job.

In addition, many recruiters also use LinkedIn to find talent.

Resumes that get posted to job boards are still viewed, but there's a good chance the information is outdated, which is one reason why hiring managers and recruiters are relying more on LinkedIn where information is generally more current.

Networking is the answer!

The best way to get a job is to put together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and network your way onto that company's radar before they even post a job opening.

However, if you do want to apply for a job that you come across on a job board, make sure you go the extra mile to get past the ATS. Instead of applying to the link on the job board, do some research, find out who the hiring manager is, and take steps to get your updated cover letter and resume in front of them.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Reasons Why Job Boards Could Hinder …

Why You Get Rejected From Jobs Youre 100% Qualified For

You found a job opening you were a great fit for. You crafted your resume, wrote a polished cover letter, and submitted your job application with high hopes. After a few days or weeks, you get the rejection email, or you get ghosted by the employer, never hearing back about the status of your application. You were 100% qualified for the job. So, why did you get rejected?

The Bushel-Of-Apples Effect

You're not getting interviews for jobs that you're 100% qualified for because of the bushel-of-apples effect that happens when you apply online.

Think about it this way: You go into a store and decide to buy one apple. That's all you've got the appetite for and that's all you can afford. You walk over to the produce section and see a big bushel of apples. They all look good; they're all roughly the same size and same color. But you're only going to pick one. So, what do you do? If you're really hungry, you might decide to pick a slightly bigger apple. Or if you like a certain color, you pick that one and discriminate against all the other apples that are completely okay and worthy of being picked, but you can only pick one.

That's what employers have to do right now. And because of applicant tracking systems (ATS), they get thousands of applicantsânot 10, not 15, thousands. This is why you are getting rejected over and over again. It's not that you're not qualified for the job; it's the bushel-of-apples effect. You need to understand that the way to get selected is to not be in a pile; you need to go around the system. You need to be able to connect directly so that your message can get to a hiring manager and they can pull you from the pile.

This is what most job seekers do not understand today. That easy apply button and those online applications actually made job search harder because they make it possible for anyone to apply. You're going to have to put in the extra effort to find a good job, which means you're going to need to be pickier about who you apply to. Once you learn how to conduct a proactive job search (job shopping instead of job hunting), you can be way more intentional. You can pick who you want to work for and you can go after it differently so that you can get picked from the pile.

You're not alone, my friend. That bushel-of-apples effect is just killing your chances on those applicant tracking systems and it's going to require something different in order to get better results.

If you want to learn how to conduct a proactive job search, sign up for a Work It DAILY membership today. Getting the job search help you need has never been easier.

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Why You Get Rejected From Jobs Youre …

You've been applying for jobs every day, but you feel stuck. Your job search isn't going anywhere. You submit job applications but never hear back from employers. Why aren't you getting interviews? What are you doing wrong? Is it your resume?

Chances are, your resume is to blame.

It's very easy for job seekers to make common mistakes on their resume, unknowingly making it harder for them to get their job application in front of the hiring manager. Can your resume get past the ATS? Will your resume stand out to hiring managers in those first few seconds?

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent your resume from getting tossed. Here are three reasons why your resume isn't working, and how to fix them:

1. You Don't Have Enough Keywords

Most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort through all of the resumes they receive for their job postings. One of the ways they determine which job candidates are qualified for a specific job is by looking at the keywords they've included on their resume.

How many keywords on your resume match the keywords in the job description? If you don't have enough of the right keywords on your resume, you'll get screened out of the hiring process by the ATS. This means your resume will get tossed without it ever crossing the hiring manager's desk.

If you're not getting contacted by employers, not having enough keywords (or the right keywords) on your resume could be the reason why.

The Solution: Include keywords from the job description on your resume. What skills, technologies, and experience are employers looking for? How many of these skills do you possess? Are you familiar with any of the technologies/software you'd be using on the job? Do you have the right kind of experience?

Once you identify what you need for the position you want to apply for, make sure you customize your resume for that specific job so you give yourself the best possible chance to get past the ATS and impress hiring managers. List relevant skills in the top fold of your resume (avoid keyword stuffing) and be sure to use the terms mentioned in the job description on your resume, if applicable.

2. You're Using An Outdated Resume Format

Woman on laptop realizes her resume isn't working

Another reason why your resume might not be working is because you're using an outdated resume format. Similar to the first reason, your resume format could be preventing the ATS from effectively reviewing the information on your resume. But if your resume does get past the ATS with an outdated format, hiring managers could still take a look at your resume, see that it's outdated and hard to read, and then decide to toss your resume because you didn't make it easy for them to get the information they need about you.

With an outdated resume format, you also run the risk of looking old and out of touch, which won't help your case if you're already worried about age discrimination.

If your resume isn't easy to read and it doesn't stand out to hiring managers in the first few seconds it's getting reviewed, you won't get contacted. Employers simply won't be able to determine whether you're qualified for the job or not because you didn't make it easy for them to find that information.

The Solution: To ensure your resume gets past the ATS and stands out to hiring managers, use an updated resume format. Pay attention to how you're formatting each section of your resume and make sure the formatting is consistent throughout the document. Focus on using bullet points in your "Work History" section, delete lengthy paragraphs, and don't force your resume onto one page. This will help you make sure there's enough white space on your resume so it's easier to read.

When in doubt, a simple, clean resume format is the best option.

3. You Aren't Quantifying Your Work Experience

Woman on laptop frustrated and thinks that her resume isn't working

Let's assume you had enough keywords on your resume that it got past the ATS. Let's also assume you used an updated resume format. Now that your resume is in the hiring manager's hands, and all the information on it is easy to read, how are you standing out from the competition? Does your work experience prove that you'd be a valuable employee? What is the service you provide as a business-of-one? What is your specialty? Do you get results? What have you accomplished?

If you're not quantifying your work experience on your resume, you're going to have a harder time impressing hiring managers. Quantifiable information allows hiring managers to measure the degree of knowledge and skills you have to offer. It's a way to inform them about what and how much you can bring to the table.

The Solution: Learn how to quantify your work experience on your resume. Think about what you've accomplished in your career. Look at the bullet points in the "Work History" section of your resume and try to include at least one number for each.

Including numbers on your resume not only shows hiring managers what you can do, but they also help your resume stand out since numbers break up text and grab peoples' attention. If you can't quantify something, it doesn't belong on your resume.

As a job seeker, nothing is more frustrating than spending hours applying for jobs only to never hear back from employers. If your resume isn't working, it's probably due to one (or more) of the reasons above. Follow our tips so you can avoid these resume mistakes and finally land the job you want!

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Working

If you're submitting your resume through a job board or company website, there's a good chance your resume is being run through an applicant tracking system (ATS), the software many of today's employers use to read and rank resumes they receive in the hiring process.

The higher the ranking, the greater the chance your resume will be seen by a pair of human eyes. Those that don't get a high rank fall into a black hole. So the question is, âHow can I ensure my resume gets past the applicant tracking system?"

Here are some basic tips:

1. Make Sure The ATS Can Read Your Resume

Man on laptop formats his resume to get it past the ATS

Have your resume saved in the right format. Not every ATS can read documents in .doc or .docx format. So, to be on the safe side, always submit your resume as a PDF. Also, in the event your resume does get past the ATS, you want to make sure the formatting stays the same. The best way to do that is by utilizing the PDF option.

Another thing to remember is to not use tables and text boxes. The ATS can't read them, so they will only hurt your chances of moving on in the hiring process.

2. Help The ATS Identify Sections And Information

Woman on laptop writes and formats her resume to get it past the ATS

The ATS looks for keywords to help identify sections of the resume, so make sure each section of your resume is clearly labeled and uses consistent formatting.

Those sections you should focus on include your headline, your experience summary, your work history, your education, and any additional experience.

3. List The Most Appropriate Keywords

The exact list of keywords an employer enters into the ATS varies, but you can figure out appropriate keywords by looking at the job description. You will notice certain keywords come up over and over again. There may also be certain terminology or lingo that defines the work of your profession. Utilize those keywords in context on your resume.

If you're going to use the "/" between keywords, add a space before and after it. For example, the ATS may not see "Web Design/Graphic Design" as keyword matches, but it will when it reads "Web Design / Graphic Design."

In this digital world, applicant tracking systems have made job seeking more difficult, so you need to make sure your resume gets through this important filter. We hope these three tips help you write and format your resume to get it past the ATS.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Ways To Get Your Resume Past …

Are a person looking for a brand new job but not hearing back again from employers? Have an individual been signing up to countless work online with little for you to no success? If therefore, performs this drain almost all of your energy, and they are you curious about just what other tips you could incorporate?

Well, we're going to help share a big magic formula with youâ¦ the amount one way to obtain a job is simply by circumventing the applicant monitoring system!

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Be familiar with disruptive job search strategy that will get anyone results fast
Develop a personal brand name to market yourself successfully
Set yourself in the route of recruiters and employing managers

Join our own CEO, J. T. O'Donnell, and Director of Coaching Development & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this reside event on Wednesday, Nov 30th at 12 evening ET.

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No. 1 Way To Get A Job …

How To Stand Out To Employers When Applying Online

In this day and age, it's crucial to stand out during your job search. Otherwise, your resume gets buriedâunread and unnoticed. This is a common problem for job seekers. So, how can you stand out from the competition when applying online?

Here's what some of our career experts say you can do to catch the eye of employers in your job search:

Research The Company

Woman researches a company before applying for a job online

"Learn everything you can about the company," says Bud Bilanich, author of Climbing The Corporate Ladder. "Tailor your resume to show what you know about them and their industry. And, more importantly, use keywords and list skills in your resume that will catch the recruiter's attention."

For example, if the job application says they are looking for a "self-starter," make sure you put the words self-starter somewhere near the top of your resume. "Sounds corny," he says, "but it works."

Create An Online Presence

Man creates a professional portfolio to stand out when applying for jobs online

Rachel Dotson of ZipRecruiter suggests creating an about.me profile, complete with links to your various social and professional profiles online. Include the link in your resume alongside your name and contact information (at least add a link to your LinkedIn profile!), and also include it under your signature in your cover letter. If you have a professional portfolio, make sure you include that as well.

"Because your resume will likely be viewed on the computer," she says, "it will be easy for the hiring manager to click through to your about.me page, where he or she can then browse your online presence."

Beat The ATS

"Before you can stand out to the employer, you have to stand out to the applicant tracking software," says Kristin Johnson of Profession Direction. "There's a real art to getting your resume noticed in today's technological job hunt." Johnson says you MUST read the job description and include key terms on your resume. If you don't include the right keywords on your resume, it'll get tossed by the ATS, and it most likely won't even get read by a human being.

The resume needs to be in a format that the software can read too. "It takes some time, but that's the way the system works," she says. "If your resume doesn't show you're a match for the job to the ATS, you're not going to get a call because you won't stand out to the employer."

In order to stand out when applying for a job online, you need to research the company before you apply, create an online presence, and beat the ATS. If you consistently do these three things in your job search, you'll be sure to stand out to employers, no matter your industry or work experience.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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How To Stand Out To Employers When …

8 Ways You’re Being Shut Out Of The Hiring Process (And What To Do About It)

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8 Ways You’re Being Shut Out Of …

How To Fill Out Job Applications Correctly

Usually are you struggling to fill in job applications for possibilities that excite you? Are you currently constantly getting rejected for just about any and all jobs that will you affect?

In case so, we're here for you to show you the correct method to effectively fill out there job applications!

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Fill out and about each part of often the job application to endure out as an consumer
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