Career Bits #1: Best resume template, LinkedIn networking hack, & more!

Hey?there?– I'm Michael , one of the founders of Simplify .

After helping over 500,000+ candidates apply to 25 million jobs, I started this newsletter to share my favorite insider tips, tricks, and exclusive opportunities to help you stay ahead of the curve. My goal with this newsletter is to help you land your dream job – you could say I've designed this newsletter to be unsubscribed from ??

Today's newsletter is one of my favorites, hope you enjoy!

Oh, and feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: Michael Yan

Estimated read time: 1 minute 57 seconds.

The Resume Template with the Highest Response %

75% of resumes are tossed out by automated systems before being seen by a recruiter (CNBC ). The key thing here is to make sure your resume is readable by these softwares (also known as ATS's). Skip the fancy, two-column formats – here's the template I use that's also recommended by career centers at schools like Stanford & Harvard.

If you're looking for a more organized way of keeping making and keeping track of your resumes, here's a link to one of my favorite resume builders , with multiple ATS-approved templates!

Want to learn more about resume formatting? Check out this blog post !

Using LinkedIn to Get More Interviews?

You probably know that companies get thousands of applications for a single opening, so it can be hard to stand out from the crowd – or even be reviewed.

One of the best ways to boost your chances of getting interviewed is to proactively reach out to recruiters. Here's how to do that on LinkedIn:

1. Find your company of interest on LinkedIn, go to the “People” tab, and search “recruiter” to find a list of relevant employees to connect with.
2. Send an invitation to connect with these contacts. Ensure you add a personal note to each invitation, introducing yourself and mentioning your desired position (template below!).
3. You might not get accepted at first (or at all) so don't be afraid to connect with other recruiters at the company.
4. Rinse and repeat this with other companies you apply to!

Here's a simple template that fits in your connection invitation message. While this method doesn't always yield results, it's definitely worth the effort – I have gotten quite a few interviews this way!

Want to learn more about networking using LinkedIn? Read this blog post !

Some of Our Favorite Jobs Currently Hiring

1. Summer 2024 Internships ??
2. Jobs Hiring College Graduates ??
3. Newly Posted Junior-Mid Level Roles ??
4. Senior Level Positions ??

Q&A from You!

Every newsletter, I ask you guys to send me your questions for me to answer on the next edition of Career Bits. Fill out this form with your question for a chance to get featured!?

This week Kelly from New York asked:

“At the end of an interview, what are some questions I should ask to the interviewer? Can asking questions help/hurt you?”

My Answer: As an interviewer myself, a getting asked a thoughtful question by the candidate at the end of an interview can really impress me and leave a lasting positive impression. It shows genuine interest in the role and the company, and it indicates that you're thinking critically about how they can fit and contribute to the company.

Here are some effective questions you might consider asking:

1. How do you feel about the opportunities for career development at the company? - This question signals your intent to grow and develop within the company, emphasizing your commitment to longer-term contributions.
2. What do you personally enjoy most about working here? - Asking the interviewer about their personal experience can provide insights into the company and its environment, making the conversation more engaging and personal.
3. What does success look like in this role? - This question shows that you are thinking about how you can excel in the job and contribute effectively.

?Hope this helps! :-)

- Michael

Today's 1 Sentence Tip

Keys to a great resume: Fits on one-page, ends in .pdf or .docx, single-column , includes metrics, and highlights relevant experiences first.

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