Job Search Advice: Do NOT apply online...YET

Applying on line for a job posting may seem like a logical step in your job search process, but before you click the “apply online”, here is an insider tip to help you understand why this method may not always be the most effective path to landing an interview.
As a former recruiter and hiring manager, this was my review process for selecting interview candidates:

1. Resumes are constantly uploaded into an electronic system as candidates apply online. We had thousands of applicants in our data base. It is a sea of potentials in which a hiring manager knows only a small percentage will stand out and be the right fit for the company.
2. A job is posted online via internal company channels first - meaning people already within the organization will know about the opening before you- then it is placed on general job posting boards like CareerBuilder, Monster, etc.
3. The recruiter conducts a key word search with the help of the hiring manager and the top candidates are identified by the system- usually 10-20 candidates are selected. (This is why it is critical your resume speaks directly to the job opening.)
4. The recruiter evaluates the choices, conducts phone interviews, and narrows the list further.
5. The top 3-5 candidates are forwarded to the hiring manager for interview consideration. At this point the hiring manager may also have a personal referral that was not in the database (this is why networking is so vital!).

The moral of this recruiter’s story - instead of tossing your resume into a sea of potential candidates, go directly to the hiring manager - the person who is making the hiring decision for that specific job posting. You want to stand out by convincing them you are the qualified person for the job. If you can get the hiring manager’s buy-in first, then when you do apply online, your odds of getting noticed have just improved. Need advice on the best way to reach out to a hiring manager? Make an appointment with a UCSO coach!