Hiring Practices In A Recession

One of my goals with Gradversity is to share as much information as I can about the job search process. Much of the shared information comes from a variety of online sources, be it other career experts or major news sites. However, it is rare that we actually get a look at hiring practices from the inside.

That is exactly what How The Recession Has Changed Hiring does. Posted recently on US News, this article tries to explain the differences in the hiring process from the perspective of a hiring manager.

There are two major points in this piece that you need to be aware of.

First, was how the recruiter’s perception of “required qualifications” has changed:

I used to tell people that the “required qualifications” in job ads were wish lists, not inflexible requirements, and that candidates who didn’t perfectly match weren’t automatically disqualified. But these days I’m finding myself more often than not hiring people who are perfect matches, because the job market is dumping them in my lap. So, it’s harder for less perfectly qualified candidates to stretch up to a job that in previous years they might have been able to get more easily.

Second was her commentary on the volume of applications:

To no one’s surprise, there are way more applicants for any job I post. Overwhelmingly so. I look at every single one, so the amount of time involved has gone way up.

So what does this mean to you as a New Grad looking for an Entry Level Job? There are three things that you need to take away from this in order to help better position yourself.

• You need to tailor your application package to each specific job. If the “requirements” are becoming tighter and more competitive, you need to do everything in your power to ensure that your resume and cover letter address as many (if not all) of the aspects of the job posting as possible.

• You need to know what makes you stand out from the crowd and use it to your advantage. If a hiring manager gets hundreds of resumes for each open position, only those resumes that stand out are going to get their attention. You need to find a way to get their attention AND make a positive impression if you are hoping to land an interview.

• You MUST follow up on your applications. Even if you have the best resume around, you can still be passed over by the hiring manager if it gets lost in the pile. Follow up and provide them a reason to look at your application package. It can mean the difference between a protracted job hunt and a quick interview.

It’s never easy to land an Entry Level Job, but it’s certainly not impossible. Stick to it and you will succeed.