Former Google recruiter says everyone fails to follow up with a personalized message after applying for a job.

Former Google recruiter says everyone fails to follow up with a personalized message after applying for a job.

How to Stand Out in the Job Application Process

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In the competitive world of job applications, it’s important to take every opportunity to stand out from the crowd. According to Nolan Church, a former Google and DoorDash recruiter, there’s one important step that many job-seekers are overlooking – sending a post-application follow-up message.

Church believes that almost “everyone fails” when it comes to this crucial aspect of the application process. While it is widely recognized that following up after an interview is important, Church suggests that sending a personalized message after submitting an application can greatly increase the chances of landing the desired role.

Job-seekers can send these messages to a company’s hiring manager or even the CEO through email or professional networking platforms like LinkedIn. Church notes that company email addresses often follow a similar format, with the CEO’s address usually being “first name@company domain name.com”.

When Church worked at DoorDash, he recalls that the CEO would forward these messages directly to him, resulting in calls with these eager applicants around 90% of the time. This simple act of following up had a significant impact on the application process, helping to push resumes “to the top of the stack”, as Church puts it.

It’s worth noting that Church’s advice isn’t limited to tech giants like Google. While jobs at Google are highly sought after, with an acceptance rate of only 0.2%, sending a follow-up message can make a difference in any job application. In fact, Church’s experience at DoorDash proves that this tactic can be effective across different industries and companies.

Church, who is now the CEO of Continuum, worked in talent departments at both Google and DoorDash for approximately three years. His insights are born out of firsthand experience and he has offered advice to eager job-seekers in the past.

According to Church, having a well-crafted resume is crucial for moving forward in the job application process. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding “text bricks” on resumes, as they tend to discourage recruiters from reading further. Additionally, Church suggests that job-seekers take advantage of AI-powered tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, for resume assistance and interview preparation.

In summary, sending a follow-up message after submitting a job application can significantly enhance the chances of landing the desired role. Personalized messages sent to hiring managers or CEOs demonstrate enthusiasm and dedication, capturing their attention amidst the multitude of applications they receive. So, don’t overlook this important step in the application process – it could be the key to standing out and securing the job of your dreams.