Searching for jobs is a full-time job on its own. Not only is it time-consuming, but it is also frustrating, especially if you are not getting interview invites. The truth is that not all candidates that apply for a job will get an invite for an interview. According to statistics, only the top 2% of the applicants get invited for an interview. That does not mean that you cannot be in that 2% range. All you need to do is to know how to get there. In this article, we will share some tips on how to boost your chances of getting interview invites.
How can you boost your chances of getting interview invites?
Many companies receive a lot of applications for job postings where they only need one or two people to fill the role. And even though you think you are qualified, there might be others out there that are more qualified than you. This makes getting an interview invite very challenging. Here are some tips on how you can boost your chances of getting interview invites.
1. Apply Early
One of the most crucial ways to boost your chances of getting interview invites is by applying early. Personally, I avoid any job posting that is older than two weeks. I’m not saying that you should not try your luck. All I’m saying is that you should try as much as possible to apply for jobs as fast as you can. The number of applicants will be much higher during the first week of the job posting. But that should not discourage you. Just make sure you apply early.
The reason why you should apply early is to ensure your CV is reviewed properly. The energy and time given to the ones submitted in the first week will not be the same as those in the second week. In fact, if the recruiter has seen the qualities they want early enough, they might not give full attention to other applicants’ CVs.
To ensure you apply early, make use of job alerts on job websites such as LinkedIn. Use keywords that match the job you are looking for to set up alerts. You can also set up an email job alert on job boards like justjobs.com to get daily job listings in your inbox. This way, you will be able to apply to jobs as soon as they are posted.
2. Read the job description carefully.
Another way to boost your chances of getting interview invites is by reading the job description carefully. The reason for this is so that you can apply to jobs that you are qualified for. It is not a must to meet all the requirements in the job description. Yet you must meet up to 80% of the requirements. For instance, if you see a job posting that requires two years of experience with a degree. If you have up to 6 years of experience without a degree, you can apply for the job. The most important thing is that you should ensure that you meet the essential requirements.
3. Customize your CV to the job description.
You should not underestimate this job search strategy. Hence, to boost your chances of getting interview invites, you should tailor your CV to the job description. Certain skills and qualifications are specific to each job. And recruiters or employers look for these skills in an applicant’s CV. So, if you customize your CV to the job description, you will be able to highlight those skills and qualifications. When writing a CV for a job, you should ensure it contains some keywords and language used in the job posting. This way, your CV will stand out, and that will get you invited for an interview.
4. Follow the right CV format.
As the saying goes, first impressions last longer. This saying is true in all aspects of life, the career world inclusive. And your CV is the first thing the recruiters see, so you should ensure you leave a good impression. Hence, to boost your chances of getting interview invites, make sure you follow the right cv format. Make it readable and skimmable. Any cv that is not easy to read might end up in the trash. Besides, you should proofread to get rid of grammatical errors. There are many modern cv templates all over the internet, just go for the one that will impress the recruiter.
5. Write a perfect cover letter.
Most job postings do not mention writing a cover letter. Hence, many job seekers skip this part of the application. However, writing a cover letter is essential to boost your chances of getting interview invites. It gives you an edge over other applicants. While a CV highlights your skills and qualifications, a cover letter highlights your accomplishments. In your cover letter, you will be able to explain why you are a good fit for a job. Don’t know how to write one? Here’s how. Just like your CV, make sure you customize the cover letter for each job application.
6. Keep your social profiles updated.
Make sure you update your social media profile with recent work experience and achievements. This goes beyond your LinkedIn profile but also extends to other social media profiles. Besides, you should ensure that you add the link to your Linkedin profile to your cv. However, you should only do this if you have a strong LinkedIn profile. This will make the recruiter view you as a serious applicant. And that can give you an edge over others and boost your chance of getting interview invites.
7. Leverage on connections
One of the easiest ways to boost your chance of getting interview invites is by leveraging on connections. It is easier to get an interview invite when someone recommends you. So make sure you expand your network. You never know when you will need the connections.
Final Thoughts
It is not easy to get interview invites. But, if you follow the tips in this article, you can boost your chance of getting interview invites. However, getting an invitation for an interview does not mean you have landed the job. But, it will give you the chance to show the employer that you are the perfect fit. Therefore, you should prepare well for the interview.
