It\u2019s no secret how painstaking the job search can be — especially now. It can get demoralizing at times, facing rejections and stressing about your professional future. While rejections can be hard to take, sometimes utter silence from a company can take more of a toll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t let it get the best of you. Here are some best practices on what to do to tackle that radio silence and increase the rate that you hear back from companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve all been there. You\u2019re desperately trying to find your next gig, scrolling through LinkedIn\u2019s job postings for hours. It\u2019s tiring and methodical to continuously tailor your resume and go through the formal job application process on different companies\u2019 websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or you\u2019ve used LinkedIn\u2019s \u201cEasy Apply\u201d option, simply clicking a button and boom <\/em>— you applied for a position in a matter of seconds. It may be an easy and convenient way to apply to a high volume of jobs, but blindly clicking that button and expecting to land an interview isn\u2019t always realistic. The same can be said for just sending in your resume on company websites, sitting back, and expecting a response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, be proactive. Reach out to someone at the company you just applied to and try to make a connection. Look at alumni from your university, mutual LinkedIn connections, anything in common at all with an employee to make a connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you can\u2019t find any alums or mutual connections, there\u2019s no harm in reaching out to the hiring manager or department leader if you know who they are. Make sure your LinkedIn note or email is professional, to the point, and states that you\u2019d like to talk to them more about the open role, and what makes you qualified and the right fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doing these things won\u2019t guarantee you will get an interview or even a response from that company. But they\u2019ll increase your chances of doing so and make your name stand out from the loads of applications they receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you diligently make connections and keep in touch, there\u2019s still a chance you won\u2019t even get the dreaded rejection email. It can be stressful waiting around, wondering if you made enough of an impression to get an interview. At that point, you\u2019d almost rather get rejected just so you know and can move along in your job search process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s easier said than done, but don\u2019t let that get to you. It\u2019s completely normal to face rejection and be ghosted during the job hunt. Everyone has dealt with that, especially today’s world where technology yields far more applications per job opening and in a job market that\u2019s full of candidates waiting for their next opportunity. That\u2019s especially true now during the pandemic, where employees faced numerous layoffs. Now you may be competing for a role with candidates who are sometimes overqualified for a role, vying for that same opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it does get to you a bit, however, there\u2019s no shame in taking a day off applying for jobs to rest, recharge, and take care of your mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re ready to get back on the grind, start off with some self-reflection. Really take the time to think about your resume, portfolio, and job application process. What are you doing that hasn\u2019t worked yet, and how can you make the necessary changes to make yourself stand out? And if you have someone you trust to give you some pointers along the way, that can be all the more helpful. This takes the monotony out of the application process and makes it more personal, producing the results you desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting assistance from family, friends and former colleagues can be beneficial, but chances are they aren\u2019t experts in the hiring process.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStay Positive Through the Silence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s No Shame in Asking for Help<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n