Why You Do Not Get Responses to Your Applications

There are numerous factors that affect whether or not you get a response to your application/resume.

The most likely affecting factors, by far, are which filter keywords the screener uses and the number of applications/resumes submitted.

When dealing with large numbers of applications/resumes, savvy screeners will load the filters with numerous distinguishing and unique keywords to limit the results.

At the very least, applicants must have core keywords in their resumes or they will surely be passed over and get no responses to their applications.

On average, even with the right keywords and in the best of circumstances, you have less than a 20% chance of getting a response.

That means, if you do nothing other than submit an application/resume to a posted job opening, the very best response rate you can expect is one response out of five applications.

Usually, the response rate is more like 1% or 2%, one or two out of a hundred!

And response means nothing more than an overture, a request, for next contact or more information, not necessarily an offer for an interview.

Considering the odds, it is in your best interest to include as many of the right keywords as possible in your application/resume.

The first indication of which keywords are the right keywords is in the wording of the posting.

Identify words in the ad that are descriptors like job titles, equipment, specialized knowledge like software, credentials such as college degree or certifications, and particular industry or product or service experience. Try to include as many of those exact words in your application/resume.

So if they are asking for a Special Events Coordinator and you performed those duties under the title of Operations and Registration Manager, you do not have to change your previous job title. However, do make certain you put the words “special events” and “coordinator” somewhere in your application/resume, such as an objective or summary at the beginning of your information.

Secondly, you can discover keywords by browsing www.Indeed.com for the job titles and keywords of postings which you have already found to uncover additional like openings. Try putting those keywords into the Indeed search field without specifying a job location. That will open up the possibilities and give you many more keyword choices.

Also, you can visit www.careerinfonet.org, click on Occupation Information, then select Occupation Profile, and using your job title create a profile which includes knowledge, skills, abilities, job tasks, equipment used and more. Again, more keyword possibilities.

A list of 25 keywords usually is sufficient to penetrate the screen and get a response.

All this relates to the “automated” process of screening applications/resumes. And “automated” does mean a computer scan, but can also mean human eyes very quickly scanning for keywords.

Those responses you receive from a one step application process mean you got through the screen and usually little else.

Once you get a response, you should have feedback and more information about your chances for the interview, but before that it is nothing more than keywords.

If you are being told that you are over-qualified for the job, in their minds, you are. And over-qualified means you feel entitled to lots of money. And if you do not get lots of money, you will leave the first chance you get. And it does not matter if you argue this, their minds are made up. By the way, they are right most of the time.

Regarding openings for which you might be perceived as over-qualified, one tactic might be to state your qualifications and experience in terms that are more in line, a better fit, with the requirements of the job. If they require three to five years of experience, report just five years of those ten years of experience you have and nothing more. If they require a coordinator, do not present that you were an Operations and Registration Manager, but simply Operations and Registration without the Manager.

But, above all, make certain you are including the keywords that they are presenting in the posting.

Again, this is all about getting to the interview. Once you are in the interview, you may be directed, or elect, to open up more about specific experiences that would work to your advantage. But that’s a discussion for another time.

Let us help you find your keywords. Visit us at www.ParnossahWorksDetroit.org, click on Seminars/Events and sign up for one of our weekly meetings.

As always, you can reach me at wtarrow@jvsdet.org or 248.233.4231.