For some reason, three people searched this blog recently for information about job hunting, career, and interviewing. Having had experience with job searches, being interviewed, interviewing others, and getting hired for positions for which I have applied, I thought I would write a bit about what I have learned.

First: getting past the gatekeepers, otherwise known as “Human Resources.”

So you see a job posting somewhere that attracts your interest. You want to apply and be selected for an interview. Except for very small companies, most employers have a Human Resources Department that screens applications and resumes. (Sometimes they refer to these people as being with “human capital” or “workforce management” or the old term “personnel.”) Unfortunately, most HR Departments prove little value to the applicant or the employees other than handling administrative matters, but they’re there, so you have to learn to work with them.

The HR people are charged with receiving applications, resumes, cover letters, and other statements of interest for a position in a company. These days, it is common for hundreds of people to express interest for one position.

As a hiring manager, I depended on HR to weed out the less qualified applicants and only send me resumes of people who were worthy of consideration for an interview. There were times when I thought that I was not receiving enough or quality resumes, so I sat down with HR and asked to go through the electronic “pile” of applications so that I would have a better understanding about what they were dealing with and who was applying.

I was amazed when I saw that there were literally hundreds of email notifications of resumes submitted through the on-line application system. It was easy to see why I was not receiving that many resumes to review from the subject lines:

• Innervewe
• I just want a job
• Higher me (actually said that)
• U shud interview me

… and more. While forgiving some grammatical and spelling errors may occur, if the subject line is poorly written, has misspellings, bad grammar, or text-speech, then the gatekeepers (HR) would not give it a further look. Not when they have hundreds more messages indicating interest in the same position.

I learned in my visit with the HR people that once they get past the subject line, and actually skim the opening of a resume, they admit that they make a judgment in as little as 15 seconds — is this person worthy of further consideration? They said that they look for close ties between experience, interest, training, and an applicant’s education with keywords in the position description. They told me how often they received what they called “scattershot” applications. People who apply for any job anywhere. Okay, I get it — they want to work. However, HR people are tasked with finding a good match with the position. Applicants who just apply for anything are not a good match and their resumes seldom move beyond the e-trash.

Advice to get past the gatekeepers in HR: spend time tailoring your resume and application or cover letter to demonstrate that–

• You read the job announcement.
• by the use of key words or phrases, you have relevant skills, training, experience, and education that match the job.
• You are willing to work; whatever it takes to get the job done.
• You can communicate well, including no typos, misspellings, or wrong grammar.
• You respect the screener.
• You are eager to learn.
• You understand etiquette of job applications, and do not make demands for a certain salary, work schedule, or the like. That is negotiated later after the interview process. (More on that later.)

I could probably go on and on, but these are the essentials. Get past the gatekeeper, then get to an interview. That is where the fun begins!

I don’t know if I am lucky or what, but I always made it past the gatekeeper when I was applying for a job. Writing well, succinctly, respectfully, and keeping it brief but on-target won the day for me — at least to get me in the door for an interview.

If you are looking for a job, make sure to polish your writing skills or get help with that from family or a friend. Those skills are key to opening the doors to an interview, especially for a professional position.

Life is short: hunt well!