One Simple Tip to Drastically Increase Your Chance for an Interview

It’s a theme leaving economists baffled: there are millions of un-employed Americans AND millions of American businesses who can’t find the right people to work in their companies, restaurants, or factories. What gives?

Candidates and companies are frustrated alike. People applying for jobs vent they can’t get more than an automatic response from an online posting, and companies feel trapped by their lack of ability to find good team members.

While there are many reasons behind this, including childcare, health concerns, and early retirement, according to an article by Bloomberg, I have a slightly different perspective from the recruiter’s seat. Despite some misperceptions, recruiters actually want to fill jobs. In fact, whether you’re working with an in-house or external recruiter, they are likely incentivized to fill that role you’re applying for.

So how do you bridge the gap if you’re trying to get your foot in the door for a job or a company that’s a stretch for your background & experience?

There’s one very simple solution I rarely see utilized: a cover letter. While these seems simplistic, hear me out.

Creating a cover letter will convey who you are—your talents, strengths, personality, and advantages—in a way that no resume ever can.

The simple truth is that most candidates will not take the time or the work to create a cover letter. And sometimes you don’t need one—if your background and experience exactly matches what the posting is asking for. But, for most of us applying for a job, our background isn’t that fairy-tale match.

Writing a cover letter will also provide you with an excellent opportunity to think through explaining exactly why you deserve an interview. I always encourage candidates to think through three reasons why the company is a good fit for you, and three reasons why you’re a good fit for them.

If you can, find the email address of the recruiter or hiring manager, and send that cover letter and resume to them directly. Applicant Tracking Systems can be difficult and unwieldy, and Indeed often strips all formatting from your resume.

Does this mean you’ll always get the job? No. Companies do need a certain skillset and experience for roles they are looking to fill - especially for more experienced hires. But doing the work to create a “bespoke cover letter,” as one of my clients recently put it, shows that you have the grit and determination to make it happen.

And we all need people who want to make it happen.

Here’s to you—keeping on going—and finding that next right opportunity.