3 Actionable Steps to Get More Job Interviews

With more competition than ever, it’s paramount to stick out of the crowd

If you read a lot about how to make a six-figure income, but have not yet figured out how to be your own boss, the chances are you bust your butt in a 9–5 to pay your bills.

And that’s ok. Not everyone can or wants to be a Jack of all trades. Some of us are happy to slave away for peanuts while consuming countless pots of coffee until the small hand hits 5.

Just joking. Of course, no one wants to waste their lives in soul-killing jobs that struggle to pay the bill. How about our dreams?

House in a reputable neighborhood?

Swimming pool in the backyard?

A good education for our kids?

So until our big break, we put our big girl/boy pants on, polish up our resumes, send them to various companies, and wait for the phone to ring.

And wait…and wait…

Only to find that the only noise we get as a reaction is the chirping of crickets. Lots of them.

I heard so much of those little buggers in the past months, that I realized it was time to up my game if I wanted to see favorable results. The methods I found arent’ earth-shattering. Or new. But they seem to do the trick and send employers my way.

So, if you’re like me looking for a job, but all you’re getting is rejections, it’s time you review your own strategy and let go of the methods that hold you back.

Here I’ll give you three simple ideas to revamp your applications so you stand a higher chance of companies contacting you.

But there is one caveat before I get to the gist.

This isn’t a step-by-step instructional piece on “how to get a job fast”. Let alone expert advice. It’s more like sharing what I learned about looking for employment and trying to woo companies.

Sounds good? Let’s get to the nitty-gritty then.

Write A Concise Objective Statement So Your Resume Gets Read

We are familiar with resumes and almighty cover letters that are a crucial part of the application process. But what is an objective statement, you might ask.

It is a brief summary inserted on your CV to communicate how you can add value to the company and what needs you can meet. Let’s just put it this way. It’s the first impression the employer will get of you.

You know the saying?

“You never get a second chance to make a great first impression” — Will Rogers

So be sure to make it a good one. Just think about it like a first date. Would you go to the rendezvous knowing your hair looks greasy? Or looking disorganized and disheveled?

I’m sure you’d want to display only the finest version of yourself. Looking pristine and smelling good is always a good start.

And this is how you do it.

Tell the employer about your skills and how you’d be able to put them to good use. Be specific and tailor it to the position in question. Every time. If you work in retail but want a job in customer service don’t brag about your abilities in stocking the shelves. Or handling cash payments. Unless the new job requires it.

It's time to blow your own trumpet and tell them how much you enjoy working with people. You’re an exceptional communicator and running the extra mile for the customers gives you the chills.

But this sounds so cringy and salesy. It’s not who I am.

I hear you. It’s not who I am, either.

But here’s the thing. Finding a job it’s like conducting a sales transaction. You sell your knowledge and the company buys it. But for the company to buy your skills, they must make sure you have what they need. If they don’t think you’re worth their money, they won’t invest in you. It’s that simple.

You wouldn’t pay for Netflix if it didn’t have good movies, would you?

And let’s remember the transferrable skills. The competencies you already have could be successfully carried over to the new role. For example, if you’re a teacher transitioning to coaching, speaking in front of people already comes naturally to you.

Make the statement short and sweet, two sentences can sufficiently highlight your abilities and strengths.

Compose A Targeted Cover Letter

Once you've polished up your resume, it’s time to really set the wheels in motion. Forget boring and show who you really are. This is your great chance to shine and persuade the employer that you’re the best candidate for the position.

So what is a cover letter?

Although I assume the concept isn’t alien to you, it’s a brief letter to send with your CV when applying for a job.

It’s a summary of who you are and the background you gained experience in.

It’s the most tedious formal statement you’ll ever write, but it’s also the most crucial part of your application. And if you pay enough attention to its content it can make the difference between dismissed and hired. I used to despise this part and spend hours finding compelling phrases on the Internet.

And as a result?

My applications were filled with meaningless words and weak descriptions. Expressions that gave the statement no personality or real voice and added no value to the job in question.

And guess what, they produced no positive outcome.

Until I realized that personalizing my cover letters can be fun. Inserting personality in your writing helps you stand out of the crowd and ultimately win employers’ trust.

But how do you do that?

Think of the experiences you gained in previous positions.

There’s nothing more convincing than personal stories that prove your competence in the field of your expertise. But be mindful of choosing stories that matter, the ones that’ll enhance your potential and ultimately sell your skills. If you work in a shoe shop and sell ankle boots like sweets, just say it. If you’re a lifelong learner who enjoys taking online courses, point it out.

Anything that earns you brownie points is worth mentioning. Forget about “pre-fabricated” sentences and use feelings for better convincing.

Look at the difference between these sentences.

During my time as a sales assistant at Clarks, I made sure that shelves were well-stocked at all times and provided great customer service. I am efficient at handling payments and operating the till.

During my time as a sales assistant at Clarks, I increased sales by 10% while providing exceptional customer service. I pride myself on interacting with people and running the extra mile to meet customers’ requests gives me immense satisfaction.

Can you feel the contrast?

The first statement is almost insignificant. Basic skills with not much promise.

I feel the second one is much more to the point. The candidate proves that they can increase sales, provide exceptional customer service, and love interaction, which sounds more like a winning combination to me.

Use Powerful Words To Sell Your Skills

Words have power. And written words can be super effective. But I’m sure you know that already. I’m not a copywriter (although learning about it), but using strong words in your cover letter can give you an edge over others.

However, I have one warning for you. Be sensible with your expressions. And more importantly, stay true to yourself.

In one of my very first cover letters, I stated that “ I am unflappable under pressure”. I kept going over and over the sentence while patting myself on the back.

What an excellent statement, I told myself.

What an utter B.S.

Unflappable is a powerful word, it suggests you’re as cool as a cucumber, but unless it’s true you better find a different adjective.

The aim is to convey your message in a compelling style, not to lie to a potential employer.

In my case, calm or level-headed would’ve been a more realistic representation of my character.

Final Thoughts

Job seeking is a nerve-wracking process, but often unavoidable. And with more competitors than ever before it’s paramount we do our best to stick out of the crowd. I gave you three actionable ideas that could result in great outcomes.

A concise objective statement,
a well-written cover letter,
and the use of powerful words

should give you a competitive edge over others. As long as your application is focused and targets the individual role you applied for you’ve done all you could, the rest is up to them.

Don’t despair if you don’t succeed at first, there’s something out there for everyone. Or at least, let’s just hope so.

I hope these methods will help you as much as they’ve helped me.

Good luck with your search, and let me know what works for you.