Here's how you can mitigate the potential risks of relying solely on online job application systems.

Networking should be the #1 activity in your job search. Why? 85% of the best jobs come from networking. Also, over 70% of the people who got jobs through LinkedIn got them from 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections (that's what a network is). Keep talking to people. Let them know what you love to do and the value you bring to companies. Have compelling, memorable stories. Offer to help others. Also, keep building your LinkedIn network. Don't be shy about connecting to people you don't know who do the same kind of work as you. It's quite common for them to pass on work they can't do, refer you to companies and recruiters hiring people like you, and even invite you to collaborate with them on a project.

If you are relying solely on online job application systems, you're going to have a long job search. Use those, yes, but know that your network is a faster route to getting the word out about your availability. Let your professional contacts, friends, family, and other connections know you are looking, what you're looking for, and send them a copy of your resume. Also, don't hesitate to connect with a career coach. We stay on top of the ins and outs of those online job application systems. I've seen many resumes that have no hope of getting through them to a human and benefit from improvements via the expertise of a career coach.

Your odds of landing an individual job you've applied to online are horribly low. Your best odds of success are through networking to jobs, but earlier in the hiring process than you're used to. The earlier you network to the job, the higher your odds of success.

This is such a critical step. A best practice is to include those skills and experiences into the job(s) in which you demonstrated/developed them, rather than in a separate "Skills" section that is divorced from your Experience section.

ATS and human screening give big advantages to job seekers who invest time in heavily customizing each resume to the individual hiring manager's current needs. When you send a standard or tweaked resume, to employers, it looks like you aren't trying.

How do you stand out once you apply online? Once you’ve submitted your application, don’t just sit and wait. Follow up... Follow up... Follow up!!!! Send an email or LinkedIn message to the hiring manager or recruiter. Express your enthusiasm for the role and highlight how your skills align with the company’s needs. Showcase how you will apply your skill set to the job you have applied for. Be creative in your approach. Perhaps add to your email a voice link message, or a powerpoint presentation. This proactive approach not only keeps your application top of mind but also demonstrates your genuine interest in the position. #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #ProactiveApproach #Recruitment #JobApplicationTips #recruiterlife #headhunters

HR doesn't make hiring decisions - they have no authority. Recruiters don't make hiring decisions. They are gatekeepers, who get in your way. Hiring managers make hiring decisions. Invest your time into getting directly to them, and avoid the gatekeepers.

To mitigate the risks of relying solely on online job applications, networking is key. Connect with industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn, and join relevant groups. Attend virtual webinars and industry meetups to expand your network, as personal connections can lead to referrals or insider info on job openings. Customize your resume for each job, using keywords from the description to pass ATS filters and highlight relevant skills. Keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date, share industry content, and engage with others. Follow up with hiring managers to express your enthusiasm. Additionally, explore opportunities directly on company websites and consider volunteering to gain experience and network.

The networking process nearly all job seekers use makes you too late to be of the top candidates most likely to win the job. Most job seeker networking processes leads you back to the recruiters, HR department and Applicant Tracking Systems you've tried to avoid. It takes a different networking strategy to get you directly to the hiring manager more often, giving you a much higher chance to present yourself as the top candidate the hiring manager needs on their team.