How to Get Employers to Hire You

Nobody likes the job search. And for good reason. You send in dozens of resumes, sit around and wait, then wonder why you’re not getting called. Or you set up an interview for what sounds like an ideal position – only to find out halfway through they’re paying 20% less than what you’re already making.

Finding a new job is certainly a struggle. And when you consider the competition – for instance, for every corporate job available, there are about 250 applicants – the situation can seem even more hopeless.

However, as one of the top job placement agencies in Houston, TX, we can make the process a little easier (and hopefully more successful) for you with these strategies:

Don’t apply to positions that aren’t a good fit for you.

It sounds like a no-brainer. But all too often, candidates have a “hey, you never know” approach to applying for jobs that they’re really not a good fit for. In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, recruiters report that over 50% of candidates for a typical job fail to meet the basic qualifications for that job. That’s not to say you should never apply for a dream job that you’re slightly under-qualified for. You just shouldn’t apply for every position out there – and then wonder why you’re being ignored.

Make your resume easy to scan for humans and ATS programs.

Many studies today find that hiring managers only spend a few seconds reviewing each resume they receive. That’s not much time to take in your full background and experience. So, what do they look for when they’re screening? Job titles, past employers, start and end dates, and education.

That means, when you’re creating your resume, it’s vitally important to make these categories easy to find and scan with bold-faced type and bullet points. In addition, with many companies today using a computerized applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen resumes, it’s important to make sure you customize yours with keywords from the job posting.

Get referrals.

The single best way to get hired is still through personal referrals. For hiring managers, these are the most reliable source of good quality, good fit candidates. That’s why, if you know someone who works at the company you’re applying to, you should leverage that relationship. Ask them to either walk your resume to HR, or ask for permission to use their name as a referral source in your cover letter.

Need more help getting hired by a great employer?

Call Murray Resources. As one of the top job placement agencies in Houston, TX, we can help you locate the position that best matches your skills and interests. Contact us today or search our Houston jobs now.