How to Get an Interview in 30 Days

Few things are more frustrating than waiting for a prospective employer to contact you after you’ve applied for a job.

Once you submit your resume if can feel like it’s been thrown into a black hole. You’re left wondering “has anyone looked at my resume? And if so, will I get called for an interview?”

The truth is, you have the power to greatly improve your chances of having your resume seen by a decision maker and getting called for an interview within 30 days. And were not talking about “keyword stuffing” to try and trick the applicant tracking systems.

Sound impossible? Check out these steps on how to get an interview in 30 days.

1. Create a Stellar Resume.

First things first. If you don’t have an awesome resume, then you definitely won’t get an interview. Revise your resume to ensure it highlights your accomplishments. Remember, prospective employers love to see specific numbers and metrics that back up your successes.

For example, did you create a marketing strategy that improved sales by 32%? Did you start a social media campaign that brought in 170,000 new Twitter followers? Those are the types of achievements that should stand out on your resume.

Once your resume is perfect, then you’re good to go. Resist the temptation to create a new resume for every job you apply to. It goes against conventional wisdom, but at Empire Resume, we’ve found that one resume is all you need when applying for jobs.

2. Find Opportunities

Now that you have your resume, you can search for jobs that you’re interested in and qualified for on job boards. Jobvite’s 2020 Job Seeker Nation Survey reports that almost 70% of respondents found jobs through traditional job boards, such as Glassdoor, Monster, and Indeed.

But there are many other job boards that you may not be aware of that you should consider looking at as well. In fact, there are some job sites that are specifically for those job seekers who are looking for remote work.

Job boards are an excellent resource, but if there’s a specific company you know you want to work for, then check out their website to see what opportunities are available. Oftentimes, companies won’t list certain positions on job boards to cut down on a flood of applications.

Also, reach out to friends and professional contacts to let them know you’re looking for new opportunities. That same Job Seeker Nation Survey mentioned above reports that 45% of job seekers found opportunities through networking.

3. Identify Decision Makers

Once you know which jobs you want to apply to, your next step is to identify who the hiring managers are. If you have a friend or colleague who works at the company, ask them for the information.

If you don’t know anyone at the company, then conduct searches on LinkedIn, the company website, or Google. If all else fails, then contact the company and ask who the hiring manager is for the position you are interested in. The person answering the phone may not be willing to give that information, but you never know until you try.

4. Apply for the Position as Instructed

It may be tedious but be sure to closely follow the instructions the company gives you about how to apply for the position online. Double check your submission to be sure that you provide accurate information, and that you haven’t made any spelling errors.

5. Mail a Hard Copy of Your Resume and Cover Letter

At this point you should send a hard copy of your resume and a customized cover letter to the hiring manager or decision maker that you identified in step 3.

Writing a cover letter that’s specific to the job you want is essential. Review the job description closely, and then give specific examples of how you’ve been successful in carrying out similar responsibilities in the past. You should also dedicate a few sentences to why you want to work for that specific company.

Sending a hard copy resume may sound like an out-of-date tactic, but it’s the most important step if you want to get an interview within 30 days. Almost no other job applicant will think to take this step, which means you’ll stand out amongst potentially hundreds of applicants.

6. Follow up Each Week

Send a follow-up email to the hiring manager once a week for 3 weeks. It doesn’t need to be anything long. It’s just to remind the manager that he or she has a hard copy of your resume and that you’re looking forward to the opportunity to speak to them further.

If you do not receive a response after three emails, then you can assume that you won’t be contacted for that position and you can put your energies elsewhere.

7. Connect with Recruiters

Consider working with recruiters or headhunters in your area. Doing so will only increase your chances of finding an employment opportunity. Some companies work exclusively with recruiters so there may be some positions you’ll never know about unless you hear about it from a recruiter.

Remember, recruiters will never charge you a fee. They get paid from the company that’s looking for talent. Here’s a quick guide to working with a recruiter.

Become the Master of Your Job Search

The days of submitting countless resumes and waiting for a response are over. You can, and should, take a much more proactive approach to your job search. Follow the steps provided above and be prepared to get an interview in 30 days.

Maria Gold is a Content Manager/Writer for Empire Resume. She is dedicated to helping educate and motivate people with the latest career articles and job search advice. Her interests range from writing to programming and design. She is also passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.