
Are you a job seeker who is frustrated with never hearing back from recruiters?
– Trust us, you’re not alone.
According to a survey conducted by Indeed, since the pandemic, 77% of job seekers have reported being ‘ghosted’ by a prospective employer. Getting ‘ghosted’ by an employer after taking the time to submit your job application is extremely defeating. Oftentimes, finding a job can start to feel like a job itself. Although the internet now allows you to find and apply to jobs faster than ever, it can also be frustrating to see your resume disappear into thin air.
On average, each corporate job will attract around 250 resumes. Of those 250, only 4-6 will get invited in for an interview, and only 1 will end up getting the job.
Here are some tips on how to make your application stand out so that you increase your chances of hearing back.
Take advantage of the hidden job market
Have you heard of the hidden job market? It is a term used to describe jobs that aren’t advertised or posted online. Instead of traditional job searching, these “hidden” jobs require the networking approach. . Plus, a HubSpot survey revealed that 85% of open job positions are filled through networking.
In the post-pandemic life, in-person job fairs are starting back up, and they are a great way to build your connections with industry professionals. As a job seeker, it’s important to realize that the point of these events is not to meet as many people as possible. It’s about getting acquainted with a few well-connected people who are willing to realize your potential and refer you to others.
Also, oftentimes when hiring, recruiters prefer someone who they have interacted with before or someone referred, because it makes the candidate more reputable and trustworthy compared to the hundreds of other applicants.

Reach out to employers
After applying for a job, taking the extra step to reach out to the hiring manager emphasizes your interest in the position and puts a face to your application.
When following up on a job application, timing is key. On average, you should wait at least two weeks until you contact the hiring manager so that they have a chance to review your application and possibly invite you for an interview. You can find them by checking the company website for contact information or simply look them up on LinkedIn.
The message to the hiring manager should be brief and clear. Only mention the most important parts of your application and confirm your interest in the position. Lastly, don’t forget to thank them for their time.
Gain experience – even if it’s unpaid
Relevant experience is highly sought after by employers. According to a Harvard Business School study, 37% of employers ranked experience as the most important qualification in an applicant, rather than their degree. When you are first starting out in the industry, any experience – whether it be an apprenticeship or volunteering – counts is valuable. Having a variety of experiences on your resume will capture the interests of employers and make you stand out from other candidates.
If you are applying for a creative position, having a portfolio showcasing your work is a great way to demonstrate your skills visually. Even if they are passion projects, they are a good way to show employers that you’re a self-motivated learner.
Customize your resume
Rather than applying to hundreds of jobs with the same resume and not getting a response, you could instead apply to a couple jobs with tailored resumes and increase your chances of getting a response. Customizing your resume for a job posting shows employers that you are actually interested in the job, and willing to put in the time and effort to showing that. Including irrelevant experience and minimal keywords on your resume may result in not passing the applicant tracking system test (ATS).
Learn more about how to build an ATS-friendly resume in our blog post
Job-hunting season can be daunting for many people, and cause a rollercoaster of emotions. However, remember that you are not alone! If you put in the time to make your application more competitive, you will start hearing back from recruiters.
Good things take time, so be patient and don’t give up.
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