I've been on the job hunt since April and it's been quite difficult even getting through to a recruiter.

19 Comments

1. Anne KrookOctober 18,2024 at 1:23AM UTC

   I would add another tactic in -- start working your connections to particular companies to see whom you know. You will be much more likely to get a call from a recruiter from a recommendation from someone already at the company than from your own application. Think of it as hiring your self an employer: make a list of ones you would like to work for and from there look to see whom you might be connected to at those employers.

2. AnonymousOctober 18,2024 at 12:44PM UTC

   look for the unicorn type job. There are a few companies that give you the choice to review by human instead of AI. Take your resume line by line and meet each rq of the role. Remove your address and “reference provided upon request “. Not needed. Also, with the job market being what it is, prepare yourself to make less $

3. Maggie SoldanoOctober 18,2024 at 12:58PM UTC

   Time to lean on your connections. Set up conversations with trusted resources and get them talking about their career journeys, ask their advice. Sometimes just the conversation will create new opportunities and may get you in touch with hiring managers. Try other ways to meet those who are hiring.

4. AnonymousOctober 18,2024 at 1:02PM UTC

   I spent a lot of time building my network. Post your resume on the search sites. I still get emails and calls (most are contract to hire) from recruiters. Blind applying doesn’t work very well and can take forever. I used a resume scanner site to get through ats but I ended up taking a direct hire position through a recruiter.

5. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachOctober 18,2024 at 3:55PM UTC

   Hi anonymous! Have you been networking with individuals at companies and in roles you'd be interested in ?

6. AnonymousOctober 19,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

   I have reached out to old coworkers and soldiers in my current unit but it has not yielded any leads to recruiters.

7. AnonymousOctober 18,2024 at 4:35PM UTC

   Former IT recruiter here. Things to think about/add.... when did your last role end or are you still employed? Sometimes if you have a big gap, you don't make the first cut. Do you have the latest in PM software? Make sure you add every skill to your resume, in the skills section, and include it in the areas where you've used it within your resume. If you have a current security clearance, add that at the top of your resume (even if it expired, list it and when it expired). List also any AI or Cloud software or Cyber security experience you may have. Always include every skill you have that matches the job description. My favorite candidates were ex-military because A. you have served our country (we humbly thank you), and B. some of the most reliable people I've ever known, and C. most have security clearances for DOD jobs. Which was super helpful. Look at Adecco for IT jobs, and see if you can connect with a recruiter. Or apply to civilian federal jobs (which could take a while) or CIA, FBI, big companies who may require a clearance as well. Just some thoughts that may help. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and you add your resume to your profile.

8. AnonymousOctober 19,2024 at 12:43PM UTC

   I was laid off in April and have not had anything since then. Security clearance is top of resume, along with all the software I used. For example I was the monday.com SME and lead the implementation for the last company I was with from Smartsheets; and that is on my resume!

9. AnonymousOctober 19,2024 at 11:15PM UTC

   Another poster mentioned this remove remote from your resume. What part of the U.S. do you reside? Focus on companies within a tri-state area then hone in on the HR contacts within each. Link in with people who work for these companies that may share similar skills. You have to go farther than adding a resume to linked in. Job searching is like being a detective, look at federal jobs, and look at civilian jobs near your city/State. Also Google companies who seek veterans (make sure the word veteran is on your resume). Many companies seek to hire veterans are given first dibs on jobs. Look also at BCBS of SC, Paris Island, Shaw AFB Sumter SC. There are also great ex-military consulting jobs all over the nation and world.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 18,2024 at 6:31PM UTC

    There is no getting past the ATS. If you are getting no response at all, my guess would be it's either the resume or the positions you're applying to. Does your resume have results highlighted? The scope of the projects you've managed? There a big different between managing a $2mil project and a $75 million project.

    Are you looking at the job descriptions for the positions you're applying for and addressing the required section?

    Where have you been looking and where do you have your resume posted? You're PMP certified - are you utilizing the PMI job board? Other specialty job boards? Is your LinkedIn profile up to snuff?

11. AnonymousOctober 19,2024 at 12:38PM UTC

    I am not on LinkedIn. It was hacked and LinkedIn was asking for me to verify my identity in a way I wasnt comfortable with. I am on PMI. I'm on all job boards. I have key accomplishments on my resume, secret clearance, and all my results driven history with core and technical competencies. I just dont understand what I'm missing.

12. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 19,2024 at 10:35PM UTC

    Please reach out to me via a message.

13. AnonymousOctober 19,2024 at 2:13PM UTC

    I think it might be the timing of the year… Q4. When I returned to work post pandemic I revamped my resume and started searching in January and landed a job within the same month. Update you LinkedIn profile and make it viewable to recruiters. Oracle is hiring and it’s remote. Go to their job marketplace and search for Customer Success Manager. Good luck!

14. AnonymousOctober 19,2024 at 4:25PM UTC

    Recruiters are of different types. If you are trying to get the attention of one in house at a specific company, their job is to filter for the hiring manager the qualified applicants for each role. If you are talking about an external 3rd party recruiter at your level of experience they usually work on commission to fill job orders for companies who give them work. They only get paid and make money when you fit what they are filling. Why not instead craft a list of the places where your skills are a strong fit and the companies align with your career goals and aspirations. Then you take control of your own career and can guide that path through direct measured contact with folks inside of those places. The job search these days is taking a long time thanks to the pandemic and automation in the hiring process at most places. It has not improved the experience for job seekers, instead it has created bottlenecks and you need patience to get through it and to understand the process. Try making connections through those that you know through linkedin and other forums where your skills are aligned with the community. Spraying out a ton of resumes without a plan is not going to do it. Find companies that are especially veteran friendly, as that piece of your experience should feature strongly in your resume. If remote does not matter remove it from your resume as that may be a limiter as those who read it may automatically assume you will only take a remote job so they reject you up front. Good luck.

15. AnonymousOctober 19,2024 at 11:18PM UTC

    Also go to your unemployment office in your state or town and ask what connections they have for veterans. Look at higher ed jobs at your local university. Uncover every place that uses your skills, Google your skills, where are they used then use that as a jumping off point to apply.

16. AnonymousOctober 20,2024 at 1:57AM UTC

    I agree with the comments. If you do have a long gap between employment you may end to consider short term temporary work while you look. If you are on unemployment some states will pause the benefits while you are working temporarily and then restart where it paused. Check with your state if in the US. It's an option to consider and you may pick up some new skills and contacts while doing so.

17. AnonymousOctober 20,2024 at 2:01PM UTC

    It is a problem. I have been looking for another job in HR for a long time. I get views on my applications, and I will get a notice from ZipRecruiter telling me that my application has been viewed two to three times which is a good thing, but I never get a call or an email asking me for an interview from those applications that have been viewed 2 to 3 times. Something is blocking me I don't know what it is. I work two part-time jobs and I'm trying to get one full-time job as an HR generalist, preferably as an HR Manager. It really is who you know and not what you know.

18. AnonymousOctober 20,2024 at 3:49PM UTC

    I'm sorry to hear. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. What you're getting is the feedback to help you adjust your strategy (and sometimes it really sucks, especially if your reserves are low). You may need to pivot careers. You may need to consider going into business yourself/or school. You may need to wait (e.g. til after 4th quarter or after the election).

    In the meantime, may I suggest you readjust your job hunt. Build time to apply, learn, rest, have fun, have your supports in order (financial, spiritual, recreational, etc.), and network. Talk to as many people as you can. Say what you're looking for. Ask them what kind of support they could give (a name, a good work, send them a job when it opens, etc.). Also, attract recruiters. Network with them online. With your military experience, are their networks you could tap into- for connections? How about your certification sites/schools? Connections or online groups?

    Keep going. Good luck!

19. stuti goelJanuary 23,2025 at 7:05AM UTC

    You can try using professional service to rewrite the resume