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Using Analytics To Inform Your Job Search And Make It More Effective

Forbes Coaches Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Steven Mostyn

Finding a new job can be a daunting task, especially if your time frame is short and your schedule tight. One way to help make your job search more efficient and less stressful is the use of job analytics, which is the use of statistics and data to make better decisions when looking for a job.

There is a science and art to looking for a job, and if you use analytics, I believe it can make searching for a job considerably more manageable. Analytics supported by the right data can inform the decisions you make during your job search. Unfortunately, the wrong analytical data can give you information to make incorrect decisions in your job search.

As an expert and published author in the art of job hunting and recruiting, I have studied analytics and how they can be used to make better choices while job hunting. I also understand the hiring process both from a human resources perspective and from the side of the job seeker, so the following article will reveal some of my work in this area. Below are what I see as critical statistics surrounding job-hunting, followed by my tips on how to use that information to accelerate the speed and success of your job search.

What does 'applying for a job' mean today?

Before looking at job search data in detail and how it can help you make better job-hunting decisions, it is a good idea to first go over the various job searching statistics and the average medium for these categories. For example:

• According to Indeed, the average amount of time someone takes to apply to a Fortune 500 company online is only 13 minutes.

• In most occupations and locations, only about 12% of applicants will move forward and receive an interview, according to the 2018 Recruiting Benchmark Report by Jobvite (registration required). This means one in eight applicants will be contacted for an interview after applying for a role.

• That same study by Jobvite also found that the average interview-to-job-offer rate — or the number of interviews it takes to get a job offer — is 28%. In other words, for roughly every four people interviewed, one will receive an offer.

From my perspective, these statistics show that job applicants should find opportunities to ease their job application process to maximize their speed and chances of success. We are all busy with our lives, and most people have jobs, families and other important commitments. The last thing we want to do is spend excessive time to apply for a job. There are great ways to lower the time to look for a job and increase your odds of getting a job throughout the search process:

Use 'quick apply' when available.

As previously mentioned, it takes the average applicant 13 minutes to apply for a job. Granted, it depends on the type of application companies provide, but if you find that you're struggling to complete longer applications or you're simply short on time, there are a few ways to speed up the process.

One way, for example, is to apply to more jobs that have a "quick apply" option. This allows you to apply for a job in just a few steps. In these types of applications, you can often fill out a pre-loaded resume or submit your own. As you usually only get to submit one resume for the quick-apply process, you have to make sure your resume is as industry-specific as possible. This will ensure you cast a wider net when using the quick-apply process.

Make yourself known to recruiters.

Another great way to decrease your time applying for jobs is encouraging recruiters to contact you directly. In my experience, recruiters are more likely to reach out to you if you are submitting your resume widely on all the major boards, as well as sending your resume to recruiters at job placement agencies.

You can find recruiters on LinkedIn or on job listings, and I've found many of them will be happy to hear from you. To ensure your resume stands out to recruiters, use industry keywords on your resume that are related to the types of positions for which you're interested, as many recruiters look for these.

Be strategic with where you apply and the resume you use.

It might seem obvious that it's critical to improve your favorable reply rates from employers, but many job-seekers miss those opportunities. Here are a few of my suggestions:

• Apply to jobs for which you are qualified. Applying for jobs completely unrelated to your skillset will likely prove unsuccessful.

• Create effective resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Creating an effective resume can be tricky, but overall, ensure that you employ basic search engine optimization principles by adding keywords that are relevant to the jobs to which you are applying. For example, industry-specific and soft skills, tools mastered (e.g., Microsoft Excel), job titles, certifications, company names and location are all good places to start.

• Always use titles hiring managers will understand. For instance, if you consider yourself a programmer but the more common industry term is "software developer," use the more common name.

Make use of less competitive job sites.

A final way to increase your positive reply rate is to apply for jobs on sites with less competition. For example, Indeed is a massive job with seemingly countless job posts, but it also has the most competition. Smaller sites will have fewer jobs to look at, but there is less competition and, consequently, a better opportunity to be visible.

If you apply to more relevant jobs, improve your resume and profiles and make more use of less competitive job sites, I believe you can see massive increases in positive reply rates from potential employers. From my perspective, doing your research and using analytics, the right way, can better inform your job search and significantly increase your prospects of landing a great job in fewer hours and with less stress.

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?