So you want to learn how to beat the odds in job searching. First, you need to understand which job opportunities are worth your time and energy. Then you’ll want to know when and how to put in a little extra effort.
Let’s assume you’ve already mastered using the keywords that are magic to a recruiter’s eyes and ears. What else can you do to land an offer? What if you knew which types of companies received fewer applications or were more likely to grant interviews? Would knowing these things help change your job-search strategy? Would knowing any of this information make you more successful in landing an interview? Job search is a numbers game. The more you understand, the better you’ll be at winning!
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Lucky for you, Jobvite, a leading recruiting platform, analyzed the statistics from their database of 14 million job applications and 64 million job seekers in 2016 to compile information to help you compete.
Know where the competition is. If you want to work at a cool tech firm, you’re not alone. On average, there are 51 applicants competing per job within technology companies, according to Jobvite. Technology, media, education and consumer internet are among the most competitive industries, attracting the most applicants. It’s worth investigating companies in industries with less competition to see if the types of jobs you are interested in are available. Companies within insurance, energy, health care, retail and financial institutions saw less competition for jobs. If you were to pursue a job within an insurance or energy company, you would only be competing against 20 or fewer candidates, on average.
You won’t always get an interview. Some companies are more selective than others. Just because you apply for a job, doesn’t mean you’ll win an interview. Using Jobvite’s analysis, careers in insurance, leisure and hospitality, and financial institutions appear to be easier to secure interviews with. Fifteen to almost 20 percent of applicants in these industries are granted an interview. However, it is quite difficult to land an interview with companies in media, manufacturing, consumer internet and technology. Ten percent or less of applicants receive an interview in those fields, according to Jobvite’s survey. If you must pursue a job within one of the ultra-competitive industries, you must take the time to adjust your resume and application to ensure it meets the job’s qualifications by using the right keywords from the job description.
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Beat the odds by getting referred. The best way to get yourself in front of the hiring manager is to use a referral. “Referred applicants are five times more likely than average to be hired, and 15 times more likely to be hired than applicants from a job board,” reports Jobvite. It may feel more productive to apply for jobs online, however, it is not more effective. Before you apply, always search your network for someone who works at the company.
How many interviews can you expect? Depending on the level of the job, you can expect an average of three to five interviews, reports Jobvite. It may seem like a lot to go through, but there’s a lot on the line. An organization will invest time and money getting you acclimated to their operations. They want to make sure you can do the job and fit in. What you need to keep in mind is that this vetting process works both ways. You should prepare to ask questions that evaluate work culture and management style. You also will have ample opportunity to assess the office and ask to meet colleagues and potential co-workers. These are significant factors that will impact your satisfaction with the job.
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Expect the process to take almost a month. From the time you apply to the day you get an offer takes an average of 28 days, based on Jobvite’s analysis. It can take even longer based on the seniority of the role. With so many candidates to choose from, employers are putting candidates through more interviews, which takes more time. Keep this in mind and don’t expect miracles. There is little you can do to expedite the process. If you are unemployed, it’s imperative that you always have multiple irons in the fire. Never stop pursuing other jobs until you have an offer in hand.
Not all interviews translate into offers. Just because you had an interview, it doesn’t mean you’ll receive an offer. However, there are some things you can do to knock the socks off your interviewer. Know everything you can about the company, its products and services and get insights from people who have worked at the company before you interview. Be prepared to explain why you want to work for the company and know which of your skills and experiences translate into benefits for the employer.
If you’ve resolved similar issues at your last job, you should explain how those experiences would benefit your prospective new company. You must also craft relevant answers to some of the most popular interview questions. This means knowing how to answer “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work here?” and providing specific examples of your successes. You’ll also want to know how to address what you learned from your past failures and why you left your past jobs. If filling a job with a capable person was easy, this process wouldn’t take quite so long. The reality is, employers are looking for a candidate who is a solid overall fit, will come up to speed quickly and immediately contribute to the company’s goals.
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6 Ways to Beat the Odds and Get Hired originally appeared on usnews.com
