Drop the Resume Shotgun: A 12 Step Targeted Job Search

You’ve sent dozens – maybe hundreds – of resumes. But no recruiters are calling. Even worse – on the occasions that they do call, they don’t hire you!

What is wrong with these recruiters?!

Don’t get discouraged. As they say, “It’s not you. It’s them!”

Except… it probably is you. And if all you’ve done is send resumes over and over to job postings – you definitely are the problem.

Many candidates make that very mistake – they think attaching their resume is the single action item required to get hired. In reality, there’s so much more to the recruiting process than only sending your resume!

Think of it like putting only your shoes on and saying “I’m dressed. Ready to go!”

When it comes to getting hired for an internship or job, your resume is just one of the manyimportant parts of the entire process. Those who get hired understand this well. Those who don’t… walk out the front door wearing nothing but a smile and their shoes.

Here are 12 Steps to a targeted job search (notice that sending your resume en masse is not included in the twelve) absolutely required to stand out as a great candidate:

1. Complete your Linkedin profile, and make sure it’s updated frequently throughout your job search

2. Ensure your Facebook page and Twitter profile and tweets reflect the “mature you” not the “party animal you”

3. Obtain a professional-looking email address (“[email protected]” as opposed to “[email protected]”)

4. Order high-quality personal business cards (just $30 for 250 2-sided cards atSmartlevels.com)

5. Participate regularly in TwitterChats like #jobhuntchat #InternPro Chat ( participate – don’t just “lurk”)

6. Develop a concise, well-developed 30-second “elevator pitch” – your “Why you should hire me?” speech – and practice until you can say it naturally, and with conviction!

7. Adapt and adhere to a policy where you will apply for only the positions for which you are qualified

8. Prepare for interviews by thoroughly researching the company, its industry and competition – research more than just the “About Us” page

Seems like a lot to do? It is. But if you’re thinking this is too much, this may be the answer to your question “Why am I not getting hired?” Keep reading…

9. Write a unique resume and cover letter to specifically target that exact position and company (include the keywords exact keywords from the job description)

10. Follow up with the recruiter on all of your applications, in a timely manner

11. Continually work to update your skills set through online classes, and read every industry-related article and blog post you can find

12. Regularly seek out, and schedule, informational interviews – not only are they great interviewing practice, they are also good opportunities for networking

And, here’s a bonus, to make a Baker’s Dozen… the most important advice of all:

13. Network, network, network

“Do I really have to do all of that to get hired?”

The reality is you may be able to get away with skipping a couple of these critical steps. Which one are you willing to ignore? Which detail may be the difference between getting an interview – and not? Why take the chance?

The candidates who are getting hired are those who do the work – all the work.

Follow this list – and help yourself become a more attractive candidate. Don’t be overwhelmed. Break the list into segments… attack the list from top to bottom… take your time, and be thorough in your approach.

And when you begin to see success, remember this: most of your competition will continue to be content with shot-gunning resumes, waiting for that elusive call – and blaming the recruiter.