I'm sure we've all heard of jobseekers who've sent off 100+ job applications and not received a single response... If you're submitting zillions of job applications and getting nowhere, then you need to sit back and take a hard look at what you're doing wrong.
These approaches rarely work. Recruiters, and particularly online job sites, use Applicant Tracking Systems or Software, "ATS" to match your CV against the vacancy you're applying for. If your CV doesn't contain a high percentage of the keywords determined by the recruiter or hirer, your application will simply be bypassed.
So you need to prepare one high quality "master" CV - perhaps with the help of a professional CV writer. Then you need to tweak it to "word match" each job you apply for, incorporating matching key words and rearranging or reprioritising your skills, so they are a better match for each job. You probably ought to amend each personal statement too. In essence, if you apply for 5 jobs, you should have approx 6 versions of your CV - one master and five amended CVs each one specifically targeted to each vacancy.
All of this takes time, but it's well worth the effort as it will improve the number of keyword matches, and therefore give you better odds of being invited to interview.
Even the local Job Centres have recognised the importance of keyword and skills matching, and they are in the process of rolling out their new jobs site where you can upload 5 different versions of your CV.
With computer software largely controlling the recruitment process, you need to play the game.
- Are you sending the same generic CV for every application?
- Are you applying for jobs for which you're not a good match - perhaps you lack relevant experience?
- Are you using a scattergun approach, applying for every job you see?
These approaches rarely work. Recruiters, and particularly online job sites, use Applicant Tracking Systems or Software, "ATS" to match your CV against the vacancy you're applying for. If your CV doesn't contain a high percentage of the keywords determined by the recruiter or hirer, your application will simply be bypassed.
So you need to prepare one high quality "master" CV - perhaps with the help of a professional CV writer. Then you need to tweak it to "word match" each job you apply for, incorporating matching key words and rearranging or reprioritising your skills, so they are a better match for each job. You probably ought to amend each personal statement too. In essence, if you apply for 5 jobs, you should have approx 6 versions of your CV - one master and five amended CVs each one specifically targeted to each vacancy.
All of this takes time, but it's well worth the effort as it will improve the number of keyword matches, and therefore give you better odds of being invited to interview.
Even the local Job Centres have recognised the importance of keyword and skills matching, and they are in the process of rolling out their new jobs site where you can upload 5 different versions of your CV.
With computer software largely controlling the recruitment process, you need to play the game.
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