Have you ever applied for a job you that you felt you were a perfect fit for, and then been ghosted with no invitation to interview?  You are left scratching your head because you thought surely with the job description, and your back ground, you would have made a perfect fit.  So what’s the issue?  Frankly, there could be several issues, but the main problem was that you didn’t stand out in the crowd.  I’ll come back to this in a moment, but first let’s review why there is a crowd.

ATS / AI Matching Isn’t Getting Me an Interview

“I match the ATS and I still don’t get an interview!”  Yes, that happens a lot in this new era of job searching.  Why?  Because there were more qualified candidates than interview spots open. This is a new phenomenon and likely one that is with us to stay.  The competition increase is a direct result of technology and communication changes.  We no longer place job openings in the classified ads of a local newspaper and set up interviews and responses trickle in.  Instead the opening posts on a website job board, which is in turn picked up by multiple other job boards.  Before you know it a flood of candidates from anywhere in the world start sending in resumes for consideration.  So many responses normally come in that many qualified candidates are left out of consideration.

Rise to the Top

So what are you supposed to do to overcome that and rise to the top?  Well I suggest you use technology available for free, to give yourself a leg up.  You can stand out in an underutilized form by job seekers.  I suggest you shoot a video for free using your smartphone.  Post your newly recorded video to YouTube as an unlisted link.  Then take that video link and add it to your job application submissions.  Now when others just have static data on a form, they’ll be competing with something much more dynamic, a recorded insight into your professionalism on full display.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth an entire series of books.

Why Should You Hire Me

It’s the most basic question, that almost everyone gets asked, but most who get interviewed flub.  Don’t tell me you work hard.  Avoid generic platitudes.  Be specific.  What makes you the best candidate for someone to hire?  Consider what you would want to hear if you were the employer and try and present yourself as the solution to their specific problem.  Use your qualifications from your particular field and mix in somethings that make you unique from your background that others might not have.  That combination of problem solving, experience and uniqueness is what will get you notices.

Director Details

Keep the video short.  90 seconds to 180 seconds would be best!  I shouldn’t have to say it, but put on professional clothes, check the back ground and make sure it is clear from anything that isn’t work place acceptable.  Your video can boost you or deflate you in an instant.  You are going to stand out, but don’t get noticed and waste the opportunity.  Make sure you are speaking clearly, that there are no distracting noises in the back ground.  SMILE!  You want to be courteous, friendly and make them like you.  You get one shot, so make it count.

Addition by Subtraction

Do not give any of the standard platitudes.  “I’m a hard worker” or “I am a team player” are examples of over used and meaningless phrases.  Avoid all of these:

1. hard worker (everyone says it)
2. self motivated (you should be)
3. team player (unless you’re self employed, this is required)
4. good people skills (would you admit it if you didn’t have them?)
5. What I really want to do someday is (anything but what you’re applying for)

Also don’t use slang or profanity.  Keep it professional.  Avoid meaningless phrases like um, uh too.  This video is designed to help make catch their attention and make a great first impression.  If you mess it up, simply delete and start over.

Critical Review

Before you use the video, send it to someone you trust to watch it and allow them to give you brutally honest feed back.  What might hurt your feelings could also be what helps you fix an issue that allows you to win the interview.  How many chances do you get to make a first impression?  You only get one.  Allow your confidant the ability to tell you the truth, without being defensive or offended.  They are doing you a favor.  The more harsh they pick at it, the more likely you will be to deliver a sensational video that wins.

You can win.  Think outside the box.  Get them to notice you.  In the modern job market, it’s not just what you know and how good you are at things.  Your creativity and effort go a long way in determining your success.  Give it everything you have and land the job of your dreams.  A video can aid you in that pursuit.