10 March 2024 , 14:00
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Standing out from the crowd in a competitive job market is never an easy thing to do, but there are some steps to take to get your CV noticed.
We all know how difficult it is to impress recruiters, but avoiding one pretty careless mistake on applications means you'll have a better shot at landing your dream job.
Unfortunately, it won't always be good news as you may find yourself shifting through tons of rejection emails, and being dealt the same response from recruiters. When you've opened up that dreadful rejection letter, it's easy to assume that your application was rejected due to either lack of skill or experience, but this isn't always the case.
One company boss revealed he turned down a large number of candidates for their "lack of attention" - so you may need to think twice before sending off your CV. During the pandemic, Ryan Irving advertised for a role at his internet services company RI Web, and was inundated with 183 applications - but only six people managed to make it to the interview process.
The boss said the job advert specified for candidates not to submit a CV but to answer a handful of simple questions instead - but most people failed to follow this simple instruction.
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On another job advert, Ryan said: "Job-seekers, please read job ads carefully and to the end. We recently ran a job ad which attracted 183 applications which, unfortunately, is symptomatic of the current job climate.
"Within our ad, we asked applicants to respond to a few simple questions instead of sending a CV and do you know how many responded as we'd requested? Six.
"At a time where unemployment is high and opportunities are few, this is just not good enough. We've just had to immediately decline 177 applications because those applicants didn't bother to read the ad properly.
"I don't care if you have four masters degrees and 20 years experience, if you can't follow some simple instructions, it's not a great start is it."
Some people were left shocked that a large group of people had overlooked what the job advert asked for. However, some job seekers voiced their frustration at not hearing back from recruiters.
But one argued: "Whilst I appreciate where you're coming from, Ryan, and would certainly have shared your frustrations when advertising for a role, now I'm on the other side looking for a job, I understand how truly exhausting and demoralising the process can be.
"It can be especially demoralising when you put time and effort into applying for a role with an elaborate cover letter having researched the organisation, and receive nothing back.
"So yes, it's frustrating people aren't reading every single word of your job ad. I get that. But perhaps it's because they feel that no one is reading a single word of their application. Just a thought.
A second person added: "To decline 177 applicants doesn't seem right either. With unemployment increasing, to add an extra hurdle to the process will only exacerbate stress levels."
In response, Ryan said: That's disappointing to read that you feel my post came across that way. My intentions couldn't have been further as my only hope was that job-seekers may benefit from my experience by reading job ads in full before applying. We absolutely have responded to all applicants with details of why they were rejected, again, hoping to educate."
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