Increase the chances of getting a response to your application

By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

Are you frustrated by applying for jobs on LinkedIn or Indeed and not receiving any responses? you are not alone. There could be a number of reasons why you’re not seeing results, but don’t worry, I’ll tell you what to do.

Fierce competition on LinkedIn and Indeed

When you apply for a job on LinkedIn or Indeed, you’ll encounter hundreds or even thousands of other applicants vying for the same position. Competition is fierce. Have you ever noticed how many job titles on LinkedIn have the word “promotion” next to them? This is to attract more applicants, ultimately increasing your competition.

Another reason you might not get a response is that the position you applied for is no longer available, but the posting is still visible. A job posting on LinkedIn Jobs will remain active until the employer closes it, or up to six months if the employer forgets to delete it.

Additionally, did you know that if you apply for a job on LinkedIn and the employer deletes the job posting, then changes its mind and reposts it, your original application will not be associated with the reposted job? It’s as if you never applied in the first place.

How to increase your chances of getting a reply

Step 1: Find job postings

The first step is to find a job posting that interests you on LinkedIn Jobs or Indeed.com. Take the time to search and explore different options until you find a position that matches your skills and interests.

Step 2: Visit the company website

Once you find a job posting that catches your eye, look for the website of the company that advertised the job. This information is usually included in job listings. Visit the company’s website to gather more information about the organization and open positions.

Step 3: Find the careers page

Next, navigate to the careers page or find a link to the careers section on the company website. Many large companies have a dedicated page on their website listing all job vacancies.

Step 4: Check job postings

On the company’s careers page, search for the job posting you originally found on LinkedIn or Indeed. If you find one, submit your application directly on the company’s website. By doing this, your application will bypass LinkedIn or Indeed and go directly into the company’s own database.

However, if you can’t find a job posting on a company’s careers page, it could mean that the company is no longer hiring for that specific position, or that the job ad on LinkedIn or Indeed is outdated and has expired.

What if the company doesn’t have a careers page?

Small companies may not have a dedicated careers page on their website. In this case, do not lose heart. You still have options.

Consider calling the company directly. Use the phone to inquire about job openings that interest you. I once saw a job posting on Indeed, and after visiting the company’s website, I discovered that they did not have a job page. So, I took the opportunity to call the company, and to my surprise, the boss answered the phone. It turns out that the company is so small! The store owner didn’t even know this post existed on Indeed. I’m glad I called, otherwise I would have wasted time submitting an application through Indeed and hoping to get a call back.

Don’t just rely on LinkedIn or Indeed

In some cases, it’s worth applying for the same position through LinkedIn Jobs and the company website. This way, you increase your chances of getting noticed. I have a personal experience where I used LinkedIn Jobs to apply for jobs and also submitted applications through the company website. When I later followed up with the company, they told me they never received my application through LinkedIn. Luckily, they did see my direct application through their careers page, which ultimately resulted in a callback.

final thoughts

By following these steps, you can significantly increase your chances of getting a response to your job application on LinkedIn or Indeed. Remember, it’s crucial to have an effective cover letter and resume that are tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive a reply right away. Keep improving your application materials and apply for opportunities that match your skills and interests. Persistence will pay off, and with the right approach, you’ll increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the section below.

Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2024

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