There’s nothing more frustrating than going through an interview process for a job you really want (and are very qualified for) and not getting hired. And when you don’t even get a call back explaining why you didn’t get the job, self-doubt can start to creep in.
But you’re not alone. It takes the average person 24 weeks to go through the hiring and interview process and find a job. On average, a candidate will get one interview request for every six applications they complete. And the average corporate job opening gets 250 resumes — and only 4-6 of those will be called for an interview.
The hiring process can be a trying experience, but here are a few tips to ensure you get a great shot at your next great career opportunity:
Treat your career search like a defined sales process.
Be diligent, detailed and determined. Don’t skip any steps. Don’t just apply to go through the motions. Apply to win. And don’t get discouraged by rejection; consider it part of the process. Just like in sales, know that getting hired for a sales role will require sending out many applications, and learning and refining your applications and interview skills as you get feedback.
Make sure your resume is clean and concise.
Many employers’ first ‘look’ at you will be through a resume. Make sure your resume is clean and formatted so that it’s visually appealing. Double check that your sales qualifications and success metrics are clearly identifiable and your career history is indicated. Make sure your email address is professional; 76% of resume rejections are due to unprofessional email addresses. Additionally, clean up your social media accounts. For the best sales resume, join TitanHouse and use your Titan Profile.
Thoroughly research the company.
Don’t just apply to any job. Apply to the right job. In order to apply to the right job, you have to do some research. There are tons of online sources to help you get started, like G2, Gartner, and Capterra. Look at a company’s website, social media, and Glassdoor reviews. Make sure that the product or service they are selling is something you can be passionate about, and that the company culture fits your personality. An important step to getting hired is verifying that you in fact will mesh with your employer.
Include a cover letter for every application.
When you submit your resume, include a cover letter or cover email. Explain why this role is the right fit for you, and be specific. Make it clear that you have researched the company. 47% of candidates fail to land a job because they don’t know enough about the company.
Interview like it’s the only job opportunity you’ll ever have.
First, be prepared. Show that you have researched the company and thoughtfully considered the role. This will help you ask good questions (and not ask about information that is available online). In sales, it is also especially important to have your sales data (numbers) ready to go. And just like in a sales call, before the interview ends, close on next steps.
Follow up aggressively.
Always send a thank you note after an interview. It’s a fundamental mistake to not do this. In fact, many employers won’t consider a rep who doesn’t send a thank you note (and additional follow-ups). Sales leaders are especially looking for passionate, persistent people – how you approach the job application will reflect how you will approach the job.
Hiring managers look at the way candidates conduct themselves throughout the entire interview lifecycle as a direct reflection of the way they will conduct themselves during a sales process. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a much better chance of getting hired and landing your next dream job!
Want to dive deeper? Read our complete guide Land the Sales Job You Want: The Ultimate Guide
