Improving you chances of getting your CV noticed when applying on-line.

For those that subscribe to one or numerous recruitment web sites, it can be difficult not to believe that when you submit your CV it goes to the email address job-at-blackhole.com.

The difficulty here is lack of transparency of the recruitment process, between the candidate and final employer, due to the technology used, and in other cases the process itself. The internet has provided a very convenient way of communicating and means of applying for jobs on-line. But ironically it is the same technology though the use of automated email responses that is undermining the recruitment process. In many cases a candidate does not know which employer is offering the job role, and most email responses follow the line, 'thank you for applying.......if you do not hear from our representative within 10 days then assume the post has been filled'. Does this sound familiar?

The main flaws in the recruitment system cannot be rectified here but we can offer you some tips to improve your chances of getting you CV noticed.

» After submitting your CV on-line, wait 15 minutes and call the recruitment agency or other contact to ask if they have received it. This way you can ensure you CV is identified to them, rather then being just one of 250 email responses.  It may be the case that you can go through your C with them and find out more information about the position itself or company posting the role.

» Do not send your CV to every recruitment agency. There is not need, as most jobs are duplicated on all the major recruitment sites with differently worded role summaries. The last thing you want to happen is to apply for the same job, with multiple recruiters sending your details to the same employer. The best solution is to pick about 3 agencies that specifically recruit for the industry sector that applies to you, and only use these agencies for job roles.  You will also have more chance of getting to know key contacts within the agency that perhaps will see you differently and contact you as new roles are posted.

» Only apply for job roles that you are comfortable with that fits your CV details. We suggest an 80/20 split of 80% CV fit with 20% growth for career development. If you throw out your CV for everything you will devalue what you have done and because of the mismatch between the role and CV you will appear desperate and wasting time.

» Do not apply for job positions lower than your experience or skill-set on your CV, unless it is one that you and the employer understand that you can add significant value to the post and to their business. If this is not the case then working at a lower level will set your career back. It is always better to win the role you want as the next step to your career development, rather than take any job which you will not ultimately like, and you will not be able to achieve doing.