I hear this question all the time. I thought I would just post this article from J.T. O'Donnell on the subject
Founder & CEO of CAREEREALISM.com | Creator &
Coach at CareerHMO.com | Syndicated Author | Columnist | Blogger | Speaker
No Job Posted...Send Resume
Anyway?
September 16,
2013
I got this question
from a reader regarding
submitting a resume to companies that don't appear to be hiring:
In one of your
webinars recently you said go straight to the companies and avoid the postings.
My question is: Do you make sure that a company is hiring or do you just send
your letter and resume and hope for the best? Some companies do not accept
resumes if they don't have a specific job opening.
The answer is
"no." You shouldn't blindly submit your materials. But, not because a
company won't accept them. They will. However...
Here's Why Your
Resume Won't Get Seen...
When I tell
people to go straight to the company, what I mean is there's no point in
applying online unless you have someone you know in the company who can walk
your credentials into the hiring manager and ask them to pull your resume from
the thousands they've received online and take a closer look. Yep, I said
THOUSANDS. Today, applying via job boards is the easiest way to look for a work
- so, everyone is doing it. Yet, it also happens to be the least effective
method for getting noticed. Why? The ATS (applicant tracking system) employers
use to gather applications automatically screen you out for not being an exact
keyword and experience match for the job. Still, people continue to waste hours
upon hours filling out online applications only to be shocked and disappointed
when they never hear back from the employers. They say to me, "But J.T., I
was perfect for the job." I respond, "Yes, you and hundreds of other
people." The reality is your chances of making it through the online
process and into the hands of a human being are only slightly better than you
winning the lottery.
Effective Job
Seeker Rule #1: Submit Resumes to Actual People
Want to improve
your odds of getting noticed by employers? Only submit your resume and cover
letter to human beings. How? Network and connect with employees of the
companies you desire to work at. Then, when a job gets posted you are a match
for, instead of going into the ATS blackhole, you can reach out to your
contacts and see if they can help you get your credentials in the hiring
manager's hands. There's a reason 80%+ of jobs today are gotten via referral -
it works!
No Job Posted?
Even More Reason to Network
When there's a
company you'd like to work for but they've no jobs posted, you've got an
opportunity to prepare for the day they finally hire for your skill set. You
can start the networking process now with employees and get to know first-hand
what it will take to eventually earn a position at their company. Better still,
you may learn about the "hidden" jobs at the company. The ones that
are open but not posted anywhere online. While sending a resume to HR will
likely end up in the circular file. (a.k.a. trash can), connecting and having
meaningful conversations with employees will result in you being fully prepared
to fast-track your resume to the right hiring manager.
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