So, you’ve found THE PERFECT role for you on Linked In and are so excited to apply. What do you do? Well, if you really are interested in the role, you do a few things:
1. You ensure your resume is reflective of the role. Then you proof it, double proof it and triple proof it to be sure there are no typos. You save it as a PDF.
2. You research the company so that you can craft the ideal covering letter.
3. You sit down to construct a customized covering letter (as the job posting requests) so that you stand out from the competition (500+ other candidates who will be applying – at least for my recent role). You review the job posting and ensure you are highlighting all of the relevant experience you bring to the table and make sure you highlight why you are THE PERFECT candidate for this role.
4. You apply.
5. Most folks stop there. Not you. You check to see who you know in the organization, who you can reach out to, who can get your resume in front of the right people so you can get that all-important interview where you will shine!
Ah, but that is really NOT the point of my story today. I recently posted a role for a private markets analyst (1-3 years’ experience) coming from an investment bank or PE firm. How many resumes did I get? Well, hard to say. I did get 600+ applications but so many folks applied through Linked In and some did not attach a resume or a covering letter. Really?
One click on the resume enables me to learn more about you, what sets you apart, what experience and education you have, etc. By not attaching a resume (as I asked), you force me to go into Linked In and read what you’ve written on your profile. While it may not seem like a big deal, if I am going back to the client with several resumes to review, yours is not one of them (How can it be? You didn’t include it!)
If a candidate cannot take the time to send a proper resume and covering letter (as requested), the recruiters/hiring managers just might not take the time to reach out to you and request those documents. Then again, for this particular role, strong analytical skills and attention to detail were critical. Obviously those who did not include resumes missed that part of the job posting and have poor attention to detail. Or they just didn’t want to take the time to include those documents. Really? In this job market? Tsk Tsk.
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