4 ways to make sure you get an interview

You’ve sent off your application but you’re not sure whether you’ll get an interview. The application has some gaps and you really want the job. Don’t give up. You can still get there if you hustle.

After sending off your application, there is a temptation just to sit back and wait to see whether you will be offered an interview. This is not a good way to go; it’s being reactive instead of proactive and it’s giving the employer control of your job search campaign. And three weeks go by and it’s quite likely that you hear nothing back.

Don’t let that happen. Be proactive. Take control of your campaign. Use your initiative and continue to make your name known within the organization you are targeting. Here are four ways to do so.

1 Continue research

What’s the point of continuing research once you have submitted your application? Two reasons: (1) you boost confidence and self-esteem through being proactive and (2) when you communicate with people within the organization, you are more knowledgeable and so make a better impression.

Research online, the organization’s website and social media pages. Read their annual report and their latest press releases to discover their projects and future developments. Social media pages will also tell you about their community involvement, their sponsorship of junior soccer and how one of their employees has been elected as President of the local Lions Club.

Note the names of people you come across because they may be possible contacts. Do you know someone who is a member of that Lions Club or who is into junior soccer?

Also research the industry, what’s happening locally and around the world. Look at the website and social media pages of the organization’s competitors so that you have a really good understanding of the industry.

2 Follow key people on social media

When you find names in your research, look them up on LinkedIn and Twitter and similar sites. Follow them and be ready to comment on their LinkedIn posts. If you like their tweets, consider retweeting them. In this way, you demonstrate your understanding of the industry

Consider connecting with them and then starting an online discussion. I have been amazed at the strength of rapport I have built up through just commenting on other people’s posts and the discussions that have resulted. In this way, you can really make yourself known within your target organization.

At this point, the hiring team is shortlisting candidates for interview. If your name is already known within the organization, they are likely to include you in that shortlist even if you don’t have all the skills they are asking for. This is simply because you have made yourself known, you have showed initiative and drive. From the rapport you have built with members of their team, they will see you as a team player.

When they perceive your attitude, drive and initiative through the comments of the people you have connected with, they will value those more highly than any skills you may lack. It’s not what you know; it’s not even who you know. It’s who knows you that makes the difference. The strength of that rapport can do so much to help you.

3 Network email, by phone and face-to-face

To strengthen that rapport, try to make contact more personal. Email is probably the best first step. I have found people fairly ready to share their email address once they have communicated with you a few times on LinkedIn and email is great. I have made great relationships with people on the other side of the world just through email.

However, you can make even stronger relationships over the phone, video calls or using Skype and other video conferencing programs. The great thing is to have sensible questions and interesting topics to discuss. You need them to be sufficiently interested to spend time talking to you and this is where the quality and thoroughness of your initial research is so valuable. You also need them to be sufficiently interested in you to advocate for you when they talk to the selection panel.

4 Follow up by phone to ask about the progress of your application

The time it takes for the selection panel to shortlist candidates for interview varies. Large organizations, especially Government ones, tend to require longer than small, commercial operations. To be able to assess roughly how long the selection process will take, it’s worth asking the contact person nominated on the advertisement for an estimated date by when the shortlisted candidates might expect interview invitations. They probably won’t be able to tell you with any accuracy but the information will help.

Write in your diary or schedule when you believe invitations for interview are likely. If you haven’t received an invitation by that time it’s a good idea to contact the hiring manager’s office to find out about the progress of your application.

I saw this work spectacularly when I was on the Board of a not-for-profit. At one meeting we asked about the recruitment of a new person for a specific role. The officer responsible told us that they had shortlisted candidates but not started interviews when one candidate, not shortlisted, rang about the progress of her application. She sounded so enthusiastic the officer didn’t want to tell her that she hadn’t made the cut. He told her that the interview process hadn’t yet started.

When they interviewed the shortlisted candidates, they were disappointed with them all. So they decided to ring the candidate who had phoned so enthusiastically and invite her for interview. The result was she got the job and was very successful in it.

The moral of that story is don’t be afraid to ring to ask about the progress of your application and do put enthusiasm for the position into your conversation. Written applications are, for the most part, assessed for skills whereas it’s the attitude and motivation which are of greater interest to employers.

But it’s better to start much sooner

That’s an awful lot of work to get done in three weeks. It’s obviously much better to start your research and networking – including online networking – a long time before. In fact, the best time to start is when you first identify an organization as one you would like to work for. Don’t wait for them to advertise a position. If you research thoroughly and then make yourself known through your networking, they may not have to advertise; they’ll just invite you to an interview and you’ll be the only candidate. In letting them get to know you, demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the industry and in their organization in particular, as well as your confidence and your desire to be an integral member of their team. Your attitude is the key to your success and to getting that interview!