We have all experienced rejection from a recruitment consultant at some point in our lives, for a job that we believed was cut for us. However, the secrets revealed below are literally game-changing and will let you know how you can get recruiters sit up and pay attention, even if you are not the best fit for the job (i.e. when applying for jobs outside your field of expertise)!

Start a meaningful conversation first

Before sending your CV, it is a good idea to give the recruiter a relationship first. Although most of them are super busy and don’t always like receiving unsolicited calls from job hunters without having seen their CV first, calling their switchboard or direct line will make them take the call and have a chat with you. Remember that they get so many CVs every day and they are pressed by time to reply to them all, so chances are you won’t hear from them unless you are a perfect match. To avoid being stonewalled, just call them!

Give them enough reasons to hire you

Their reputation is on the line every time they have to send a candidate’s CV to a client. What if the client sends it back with an emphatic “no”? For that reason, provide them with as many reasons why as possible so that they feel more comfortable putting you forward to a role and take the risk. This is particularly significant if you are switching careers.

In short, recruiters need to feel “safe” when selecting a candidate. To fight your corner, just give them the ammunition they require! If you can shine in front of their client(s) with an infectious personality, you got yourself a touchdown!

Tip: If you get an email or call from a recruiter asking you to meet up, go for it. Hearing your voice will give them extra certainty.

Optimise your CV with Keywords

If you didn’t manage to go past the gatekeeper, go directly to companies with applications. However, bear in mind that some large companies have Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS that filter out CVs that got rejected by robots (this happens automatically when you are not called in for an interview) by HR. You need to beat those bobs by making sure your full work and education history are “searchable” and clearly laid out. How? Optimise your CV with keywords.

Show you are a God Cultural Fit

Do your research before creating your applications. Employers, especially progressive ones, want their employees to fit the company culture, so demonstrating you actually do is indeed wanted. You can mirror prospective employers’ own style when you write your biography. For instance, if the staff bios reflect the state of interests outside the work environment and the sense of humour of each employee, then you may want to create a similar one for you. Remember to keep it concise and short and in the same style as those you came across on the company’s site. That bio can be sent along with your regular application.

Images Speak Louder than Words

Shooting a short video (2-3 mins) and sending it to an employer can be very effective, especially if the job you are applying for is a client-facing one (i.e. sales associate, customer service representative, teacher, etc.). That way, you can show how you handle situations and people. Just ensure the video is targeted specifically to the company (generic videos won’t do) and only send it if the job you are applying for warrants it.

Tips

Don’t record videos where you just stand and talk. Instead, you should be seen interacting with others. After all, the point is to show, and not tell.

Depending on the job you are interested in, you may also want to consider to make a presentation, as part of your overall application package.

It is a very good idea to use the company’s colours as the template of a writing sample, should you be asked for one! It also has to be long, understandable to the audience, and, of course, eye-catching.

Final Note:

What your resume won’t tell the recruiter is what you are like as a person. So, besides a powerful, head-turning resume (infographic resumes are on the rise, but you must know how to create one so that the employer doesn’t get distracted) and CV, you also need to keep your LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook profiles updated.