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What is An Applicant Tracking System?

applicant tracking system ats job hunting job-hunting resumes + cover letters Oct 19, 2020

If you've ever applied for a job online, or used an online form to apply for a job, you more than likely used an applicant tracking system. Understanding what an applicant tracking system is, what it does, and how to find what system an employer uses, can help increase your chances of getting an invitation to interview.

WHAT IS AN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM (ATS)?

An applicant tracking system is the software that recruiters use to organize the amount of résumés they receive for a particular job posting. You can work with the ATS by creating a keyword-rich, format friendly, and targeted résumé.

WHAT DOES AN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM DO?

1. Ranks and Scores Résumés

Based off of the criteria that the recruiting is looking for from the job description, the ATS will gives résumés a score that will make it easier for recruiters to filter by low or high scores.

2. Searches for Matching Résumés

With the keyword...

How to Write a Basic Resume (in its simplest form)

job hunting resumes + cover letters Sep 14, 2020

Crafting a resume that passes both the applicant tracking system (ATS) and recruiter test doesn't have to be hard. With a few basic elements, you can create a resume that is straight to the point, makes it past the recruiting robots, and is impressive to the recruiter.

1. Contact Information

Your contact information should include your name, location, email address (a professional one), phone number, and link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio.

2. Professional Headline + Summary

Your professional headline and summary should be filled with keyword rich text (words that people will search for and show up on search engines) that says exactly what you do, outlines your value add and the ways in which you can contribute to the company's success.

Your professional summary should provide the recruiter with a quick summary of what they can expect should they continue scanning your resume and what you can do for the organization. What are a few positive adjectives that describes...

A LinkedIn Trick That Will Help You Secure a Job Interview

job hunting linkedin optimization Aug 24, 2020

Are you following job search hashtags on LinkedIn? Many employers use LinkedIn to post jobs and will include various hashtags related to the position or the job search to make it easier for job seekers to find their positions. Following these hashtags will give you direct access to recruiters and hiring managers.

Watch this video to see how to use the hashtags #nowhiring and #coronavirushiring on LinkedIn and how it can help you secure your next job interview.

Here are a few other hashtags you can use to aid your search and connect with recruiters and hiring managers directly:

5 Common LinkedIn InMail Mistakes When Inquiring About a Job

job hunting linkedin optimization Aug 24, 2020

LinkedIn can be an awkward platform to navigate. Although it’s a social channel, it’s still a professional platform that is intended to help its users make connections, build relationships, and widen their network. There's a way to send cold emails, also known as Inmails, via LinkedIn that is professional and achieves your connection goals. Avoid these mistakes and you'll be off to a great start.

1. No purpose has been stated.

A common mistake when requesting connections or sending InMails is the failure to state the reason for the connection. Instead, the below intros are typical:

Hi
Good morning
Thanks for the connection.

When requesting a connection or sending an InMail, state your purpose. Tell them exactly what it is you want and why you wish to connect with them. If not, expect for your InMail to be ignored due to not providing a call to action.

2. Wrong audience when inquiring about a role.

Every HR professional is not a recruiter and...

5 Reasons Why You're Not Hearing Back From Employers After Applying For a Job Opening

job hunting job search strategy Aug 24, 2020

TL;DR: There are many reasons why you may not hear back from an employer after applying for a job opening. Sometimes it's them; not you. Other times, it's your job search strategy and collateral. Rejection happens. Radio silence is common. Don't get caught up in the emotion of it when you're not even sure you're the problem.

1. It's not the company's practice to reach out to candidates they're not interested in.

After submitting a job application, you're expecting a response. Whether it's a software generated response or a personalized email from a recruiter, the expectation is that you hear something. Unfortunately, every employer does not respond to every candidate because of the volume of applications they receive daily. For example, you may receive an email like this:

Thank you for your interest. We received your application and will be in touch if your qualifications match our needs for the role. Due to the volume of applications, we want to be respectful of your...

How to Stay Motivated During Your Job Search

job hunting Aug 24, 2020

After scouring the internet, reading articles like I usually do, I came across this job search question: How do you stay motivated and not get discouraged during your job search?

REALITY:

Your job search will have an impact on your emotional well-being. There are 6 emotional stages to job hunting that will consist of times when you're excited about landing something new, and times when you feel like giving up because you're not getting traction like you hoped for.

WHAT TO DO:

Whenever you're feeling down on your luck, acknowledge your feelings of disappointment and take a break. 1 day off from job hunting will not ruin your chances of landing a new role. You can also try these other techniques.

KEEP IN MIND:

You can be the best qualified candidate and still not be selected. It's okay.

You are good enough and talented enough.

If you didn't get the job, it wasn't yours to have.

The position with your name on it is still out there waiting for you.

Motivate yourself...

6 Emotional Stages of Job Hunting + How to Get Through Them

job-hunting Aug 24, 2020

Job hunting in and of itself is a full-time job. It's this roller coaster of up and downs that can have your emotions all over the place. It takes an immeasurable amount of commitment and brain power. In no way, shape, or form is it an easy task for even the most experienced and qualified individual. This huge undertaking can often creates stress, anxiety, and overwhelm over a period of time. If you've decided to enter the job market, here's how you can expect to feel throughout the process along with tips to help you keep going.

The average length of a job search is 5 months, with 82% of participants describing their search as a stressful experience. - Randstad

Stage 1: Motivation

The beginning stage of every job hunt starts with the motivation and determination to #GetHired. The euphoria of getting out there and finding something new and better has your wheels turning as you begin to come across exciting opportunities. You're sticking to your "apply for 10...

2 Ways to Boost Your Chances of Landing a New Job During COVID-19

Uncategorized Aug 24, 2020

COVID-19 came and turned everyone's world upside down. It's shown no mercy and has negatively impacted many people via illness, job loss, business closures, and even death. With the amount of layoffs, furloughs, and business closures, unemployment claims have now hit over 25 million. Even though it may seem like this is not the best time to enter the job market, many have been forced to. Entering the job market is tough even with the absence of a global pandemic. Therefore, landing a new job during COVID-19 may seem impossible, but here's how you can increase your chances of making it to the top of a recruiters "request to interview " list.

"98% of job seekers are eliminated at the initial resume screening and only the “top 2%” of candidates make it to the interview." - Robert Meier, Job Market Experts

Becoming one of those top 2% candidates takes having a killer resume and cover letter, the ability to articulate how you can solve the company's problem, and a few other...

LinkedIn's Easy Apply is Not What You Think

Uncategorized Aug 11, 2020

Tom Hillhouse, an ex-LinkedIn employee, shared that LinkedIn's "Easy Apply" might as well be "Easy Rejection". Yikes. While the easy apply option may seem like a good idea when in job market (one click and you're done), there's a few things you need to know about it before using it to aid in your job search.

What is Easy Apply?

Easy Apply is an option for some jobs listed on LinkedIn's job board that allows you to apply for jobs with the push of a button, once you have a resume uploaded to your profile. It simply shares your profile with the recruiter and send them your resume. It is not a formal job application.

Easy Apply Only Shares your Profile with the Recruiter

Your easy application falls into a sea of other easy apply applicants that the recruiter has to shift or filter through. But, in order to access the resume you submitted, they have to first select your profile from the sea of applicants. See where I'm going with this? If you don't already have a profile...

3 Resume Tips for Education When You Didn't Graduate

Uncategorized Aug 11, 2020

Attending college and not graduating doesn't make you any less worthy of gainful employment. There's a story behind why you didn't finish and I understand it can be tricky when trying to tell that story on your resume. Even if you didn't graduate, it's still important that you add your education to your resume.

Here are 3 simple ways you can include your education when you didn't graduate.

1. Simply list the college location:

Howard University, Washington, D.C

2. Include years attended + major:

Howard University, Washington, D.C |Major:Accounting | 2010-2012

3. Add completed coursework with your major learning:

Howard University, Washington, D.C |Major:Accounting | 2010-2012

Completed Coursework:Intermediate Accounting, Tax Principles & Procedures, Auditing

Learning:Strong understanding of financial statements, tax law and preparation, and accounting information systems.

Need help identifying which way will work best on your resume? Grab a Resume Audit and I'll tell you!

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