If you feel like your resume is getting lost in the shuffle, you’re not alone. Job searching takes time, but follow these tips from our Director of Healthcare Partnerships, Jason Siegel, to stand out in your job hunt.
Do your research.
Research the careers section on the company website that you are interested in working for, and learn everything you can about the organization. Know the characteristics that will impress! LinkedIn is a great way to gain knowledge on the staff, manager and C-level backgrounds. The more you know, the more targeted and precise you can be in finding the right position.
Use keywords!
Most companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), so use keywords to make sure you’re not screened out. Look at the job description you’re applying to and include the skill sets and keywords mentioned in that description on your resume. For example, if a company promotes its philanthropic initiatives, include any volunteer or philanthropy experience you’ve had on your resume.
Use resume formatting to your advantage.
Put the most important information at the top and keep the format simple. Use a word document over PDF because PDF formatting doesn’t always convert, especially if it’s going through an ATS. Instead of including an objective at the top of the resume, include a summary of your skills where the most important information about your experience and how it fits the role is included.
Provide your online portfolio or social media info.
Provide recruiters and hiring managers with all the information they need upfront by including a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume. There are also options available for housing an online portfolio with past work experience, all of your social media accounts, as well as a resume. An about.me page or a personal website through a company like Squarespace are great options for this.
Follow-up.
After you submit your resume, it’s okay to follow-up. If you don’t know who the hiring manager or recruiter is, you can call in and ask for the head of talent acquisition or HR and explain that you want to make sure your resume was received. Don’t be too aggressive with this, though. It’s important to show you’re interested, but avoid calling repeatedly.
Showcase your research during the interview.
Getting to the interview round is a big accomplishment, so be a stand-out interviewee by coming prepared with not only research but good questions.
If you’re interviewing with someone that started at the company in an entry-level role and worked their way up, ask them what keeps them at the company, and what they enjoy most about their role.
