Ghosting, known as the practice of being avoided by someone…In this case employers!

Employers ghosting overly-keen applicants are otherwise known as desperate attempts to avoid engagement with the applicants, simply because they cannot or will not develop a platform to have difficult conversations.

Let’s face it, the task of recruiters is a heavy one. Constant nagging of desperate applicants and pressure from employers to find ‘the perfect match’ is not an easy task. The mere thought of having to deliver ‘the bad news’ is simply too much to ask for. In this unhealthy cycle of pressure, emotions and demands, communication lacks the most. The ability to initiate tough conversations, not only with applicants, but clients too!

Now personally, the obvious conclusion drawn was that employer ghosting is far more common than employee ghosting. Research has indicated employee ghosting to have taken the lead, however, in recent months, the tables have turned. Employers have become Casper, but certainly not the friendly ghost. Let us avoid this unwelcome ghost through tips and tricks around application cover letters and a resume strategy.

A cover letter provides the company a teaser of your communication skills. In today’s world, written communication has become vital. Prior to the pandemic, everything and everyone was a phone call away. This is no longer the case. Work from home has forced communication electronically… Via email, MS Teams and other apps and software useful for speedy employment communication.

Clothing Your Cover Letter

Written communication has become far more prominent in the workplace. A cover letter grants you, the applicant, the opportunity to display your communication skills.

A rule of thumb when dressing your cover letter is to speak to the position. Tailor your letter to the vacancy specifications and the company’s organizational culture. Allow your personality to shine through your letter, providing a beautiful balance between the use of jargon/ professional terms and incorporating that human element to your address.

Grant the reader the opportunity to envision you as a professional. Through introducing your application, proceed to highlight some company facts. This will display a keen attempt to familiarize yourself with the organization and its structures.

Beat the Algorithm, Create the Strategy

Instagram is no longer the only application (app) linked to the overheard, under-mastered term: “algorithm”.  Recruiters are no longer forced to review resume’s manually, but are assisted by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems are known to extract information from the resumes and allocate them in particular order, based on the parameters instructed for the system to identify.

In layman’s terms, the ATS is set up to identify keywords and extract applications accordingly. This fact beautifully substantiates the tip provided above… “Dressing your cover letter to speak to the position”. Using this tip throughout your entire resume is likely to strengthen your resume’s potential in the ATS.

In desperate attempts to secure employment, you may be tempted to outsmart these application tracking systems, but it is advised we refrain from this. Familiar with the phrase: “If you can’t beat them, join them” is probably a more suitable approach to these systems. Find what makes your resume more compatible to the system sifting through the batch and remember to keep your cover letter relevant to the vacancy and organization.

Ready to find a new job?  Find what’s out there right here on ProjectHelpYouGrow