Why You're Not Getting Hired

(NewsUSA) - Here's a secret -- job placement isn't a matter of inclusion, but one of elimination. In today's economy, recruiters are deluged with resumes and have to funnel them through pre-set filters designed to separate the competition. On average, a recruiter spends only 30 seconds reviewing each application, meaning if you aren't marketing your skills correctly, not only are you not getting hired, most times your application won't even be seen. Joe Weinlick is Vice President of Marketing for Beyond.com, a career network that allows people to search thousands of jobs and manage their careers. His company connects job seekers to available positions, but stresses that the process doesn't stop there. "Picture the hundreds of people applying for a job seated in the same auditorium," said Weinlick. "Now picture that you're one of the few standing up. Who do you think will get noticed first?" Here are five recommendations from Beyond.com to improve your job search: 1. Play the Part. A recruiter works with the same job description that is posted online, and if you're not using the same language, a communications gap can develop. Treat the job description like your compass, and use it to guide each answer by tailoring your wording to match theirs. 2. Get Noticed. This is the hardest part, as it's difficult to stand out when others have similar qualifications. Think about your unique qualities, and lead with them. Don't wait until the end; the recruiter might never get there. 3. Get Feedback. Every time you apply for a job, strive for the perfect application. Clean up grammatical errors, cut unnecessary words, and focus on details. Send your materials to colleagues for advice, and take advantage of other resources, like a free resume critique from Beyond.com that can catch any errors. 4. Follow Protocol. Submit only what the job posting requests. This will show that you can follow directions. Don't lie about experience; rather relate the experiences you have, and show how they apply. The candidates who follow the rules and look the best throughout the process have an advantage. 5. Nail the Interview. At this point, the hardest part is over, but you're still the underdog. Be scrappy. Focus on remaining present during the interview. Research the company and your profession. Browse news outlets, like News and Advice on Beyond.com, to stay current on your profession. To receive a free resume critique from Beyond.com, visit www.beyond.com/resources/resume-writing.

Just Graduated? HR Pros Think You're Lazy and Disloyal

(NewsUSA) - You think you know, but you have no idea. That's according to a recent survey conducted by online career network Beyond.com, which uncovered a vast difference in how job seekers view themselves, compared to how they're seen from the perspective of an HR professional. The survey, which included more than 6,000 job seekers and veteran HR professionals from across the country, revealed that while most Millennials (Generation Y) are optimistic about finding employment (84 percent), HR professionals are not convinced they have what it takes. The harshest criticism? Loyalty. While 83 percent of Millennials viewed themselves as being "loyal" to an employer, only 1 percent of HR professionals associated their generation with that trait. There were similar feelings from HR professionals on issues like work ethic and management potential, with only 11 percent of respondents identifying Millennials as "hard workers" and 9 percent as "having the ability to lead." "Job seekers aren't just competing against each other, sometimes they're competing against their own stereotype," said Joe Weinlick, VP of Marketing for Beyond.com. "Millennials should use this data to anticipate and counteract a perception that may have already been formed by an interviewer. A resume only conveys so much, and a job seeker needs to fill the gaps for a potential employer to show exactly how they will impact the company." Some other things Millennials need to work on in the eyes of HR professionals? Communication and team spirit. Some 65 percent of Millennials responded that they have strong interpersonal communication skills, with a mere 14 percent of HR professionals in agreement. And only 22 percent of HR professionals identified Millennials as being "team players," compared to 60 percent of that generation thinking they work well with others. One bright spot in the survey for Millennials is that HR professionals overwhelmingly identified their generation as being "tech-savvy" (86 percent). When asked the same of themselves though, ironically only 35 percent of Millennials thought they were technologically gifted -- the sole instance where perception actually helped. "When it comes to an interview," continued Weinlick, "the one thing that will cut through any misperception is confidence." The full Beyond.com Generational Survey can be viewed here: http://about.beyond.com/press/releases/Millennials.