Want More Interviews and Better Matches? 8 Key Tips!

Pro tips to get more interview requests

Are you getting matches with your Hired profile, but wish you received more? Here are eight key ways to improve your candidate profile so you’re seen by more employers and increase the number of interview requests.

1. Enhance your profile with keywords

How do companies search Hired for candidates who possess the skills they seek? They search our database using keywords based on the specializations needed to fill the role. 

• Flesh out your work experience on the profile to include keywords commonly used in job descriptions for the roles you want. Many employers search for candidates with specific experience. Using these words in the description of your responsibilities and work projects helps display your profile in results. 
• Don’t abbreviate skills. Use the full descriptor to surface your profile in employer keyword searches. For example, write Artificial Intelligence instead of AI; Machine Learning instead of ML. Or both!
• Often employers search for candidates with senior backgrounds. Even if you don’t currently have experience in a senior role but are working toward it, mention this keyword in some way. For example, you could say, “I was senior to XX employees.” Just be sure to accurately represent yourself to improve your chances of a match and a productive meeting.
• Word your profile so it accurately represents your goals. If you are currently an individual contributor but are looking to grow into a team lead role, mention this information in your headline.

2. Fill out the entire profile

Take advantage of every opportunity provided in the Hired profile and fully complete all areas. Write enough information to reach the recommended character count in each profile field. Doing so increases the likelihood of your profile showing up in employer searches.

• Categorize your skills correctly to ensure you turn up in employer searches for candidates who possess these talents.
• Include all areas of your experience within your profile. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on the opportunity to be considered for roles that may be a good fit for you. Emphasize top skills by placing them at the top of your profile, and also highlight them within your work history. 
• Include relevant skills you possess. If you have a skill listed, it should be something you are confident and competent in and would be able to perform on the job.
• If you pass an assessment for a certain skill, your profile displays a badge to help attract attention from employers.

Candidates who take assessments receive 30 percent more interview requests and double their chances of getting hired, and at a $12k higher salary!

Include all cities or locations you’re interested in, as well as the option for remote work. In today’s world, the majority of roles on the Hired platform are either fully remote or use a hybrid model, with time spent working remotely as well as on location. A whopping 80 percent of these roles will consider remote candidates.

Employers put a great deal of emphasis on years of experience when expanding or limiting their candidate pool. Be as accurate as possible when completing this section of your profile. 

Do I still need to attach a resume?

Always attach your resume. Some employers require a copy of your resume to move forward internally with the hiring process. By providing this upfront, it may speed up the process. Recruiters are super busy these days, and in many cases, dealing with burn out. To improve your chances, make it easy for them to move you forward.

Review your profile information for accuracy. If you upload your resume, this content will populate the Work Experience section. It’s best to review this information to make sure nothing was lost in translation, formatting issues, and the content correctly represents you and your experience.

Related: Get a resume template and tips in this Resume Guide

3. Set realistic salary expectations

Use Hired’s Salary Calculator to determine realistic expectations for compensation, and list your ideal salary in your profile. Hired’s salary field currently represents base salary, but some employers may share a more complete compensation package.

If the employer’s salary range is below your preferred base, don’t discount them right away. Find out if they make up for this drawback in other ways, such as through an enhanced benefits package.

4. Complete the Candidate Preferences section for the best matches

The Candidate Preferences section shares your interests with potential employers. It includes details such as the industries you’d like to work in, the company size, tech stacks, and the types of roles you desire.

Be sure to complete it to help companies find your Hired profile. Employers have the opportunity to search for candidates based on these parameters. This helps them identify potential matches for their available positions.

Don’t discount an employer who reaches out just because the company isn’t a perfect match according to your information in this section. If they are reaching out, your profile really excited them about connecting with you! You might be a better fit for a company’s role than you think!

5. Stay engaged

Be responsive whenever you receive communication with a potential employer through Hired. Candidates who respond to employer communications within 48 hours get a green checkmark on their profiles. This symbol indicates to employers you are active on the platform and an engaged candidate.

• If you receive an “ask me anything” question from a potential employer, respond as soon as possible to increase your chances of receiving an interview request.
• As you correspond with potential employers, keep things professional and be mindful of your language and tone. The Hired user you are speaking with could be a member of the company’s senior leadership team, human resources personnel, or your next boss.

You can engage with as many companies as you’d like at one time as long as you continue to respond to requests. Be confident with employers about your popularity as a candidate, but there’s no need to give them tons of detail about your communications with other companies. 

Be advised, declining a company’s interest removes you from consideration for that specific role or internal job requisition. Based on each company’s cool down time, they are able to reach out to you in the future regarding relevant openings.

6. Upgrade your profile picture

You don’t need to have a photo of yourself associated with your online career profiles. Whether a company wants to hire you should be based on your skills and experiences and how you’ll be an asset to their organization.

With that said, if you plan to add a profile image, follow these basic guidelines:

• Don’t use a selfie. Try to get a friend to take your photo with a smartphone or a digital camera.
• Dress professionally. Wear clothes corresponding to the job you’re aspiring to have. While it’s acceptable for software engineers to wear a hoodie and shorts at their startup, try to look more professional in your profile photo. You don’t need to wear business formal clothes if that’s uncomfortable, but you shouldn’t look sloppy either.
• Be aware of lighting. Lighting is everything in photography and ambient (available) light is usually ideal. Take your photo outside, preferably when the light is softer at the beginning or end of the day.
• Be conscious of the background. The background shouldn’t be distracting so try to find one that is nondescript for your photo.

7. Don’t skip out on presentation basics

Although we’ve known since grade school that using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation is important, they’re still commonly overlooked. Review your work with tools such as spell check and Grammarly are great resources. Another alternative to help with proofreading is a trusted friend. They can provide the “sanity check” your content might need, ensuring you’re using the right there/their/they’re and if that clause is really necessary.

As a best practice, when you’re describing your career path to potential employers, it’s best to use the first person (“I” statements) rather than the third person (“Samantha,” “she”). Like in real-life conversations, using the third person in writing when referring to yourself is a little odd and can distance you from the reader, which, in this case, is the employer.

When you’re thinking about how much detail to include or whether a work experience is relevant, keep your experience level top of mind. If you’re a new grad, it’s acceptable to reference projects from your undergraduate or graduate studies. If you’ve been out of school for more than a few years, refrain from mentioning school projects and even work experiences from decades ago. Although companies want to understand the work you’ve done, reaching far into your past won’t be as valuable for how they evaluate you for a role in the present.

8. Keep your materials accurate and updated

Make sure your Hired profile, resume, and LinkedIn are all aligned. Employers cross-reference various pieces of information candidates provide and what they can find online. It is important to keep these profiles as accurate and up-to-date as possible to avoid inconsistencies and skepticism.

For example, double-check that the dates and details about your education and work experience are consistent across your online profiles. Did you just graduate with a Master’s in Computer Science or are you still working toward your degree? 

Connect with Your New Employer on Hired

Filling out your Hired candidate profile is only part of the battle when it comes to earning more job interview requests from leading employers. To ensure hiring managers find and interact with your profile, take time to optimize your content using these tips. Our team has used them to help many job seekers get recognized for their assets and increase the number of interview requests they receive. 

Curious how Hired helps job seekers find great roles in tech and sales? Learn how our platform helps you create meaningful connections with top employers. 

Haven’t joined yet? Complete your free profile with Hired and let employers come to you. You also enjoy support and guidance from a Candidate Experience Manager.

Watch the original presentation by the Candidate Experience and Customer Success Team below.