How do you convince HR that you are the right person for the job?

2016-01-31T18:20:18-05:00

So I've been going at this for three months, changed resumes switched degrees from what I want to what I can do, interviews, but no job. Anyone having this problem?
If so how did you convince the HR with your experience? Also what do you say when you are a college student or if you ain't billingual?
Any tips on a federal resume?
How do I plan a move to a new location if I'm not within driving distance?
My story: Was an E-4 pulling an E-6 job for 5 years, medically retired because I couldn't overcome injuries to make next rank.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 6:52 PM

2016-01-31T18:52:30-05:00

Better not say, Ain't". lol

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 31 at 2016 6:58 PM

2016-01-31T18:58:10-05:00

A really significant gap in understanding for transitioning military personnel is this: 70-80% of all jobs are found through networking, not by cold or online applications. Additional reports show that the majority of jobs available are not even listed online. So perfecting a resume or applying to more jobs on line is really not the best use of your time. Looking for a job IS a full time job, and it starts with networking. Find a champion within an organization that will help you, and you can finally begin heading in the right direction. Network, network, network... but do so properly.

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/17/dont-believe-these-8-job-search-myths

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/08/133474431/a-successful-job-search-its-all-about-networking

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Jan 31 at 2016 7:33 PM

2016-01-31T19:33:16-05:00

It's not HR you have to convince, it's the Hiring Manager (and they are often not the same person) you have to get to know. I volunteered and attended a certification course the company was offering (networking). I did not get the job for which I originally applied...but the next day the Hiring Manager called and asked if I would accept another position in San Diego for more pay. Duh!
If you're a college student inquire about internships. Due to your being MedRet hook up with your VA's Employment Coordinator to provide guidance and solid employment leads.
Buena suerte!

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made Jan 31 at 2016 8:48 PM

2016-01-31T20:48:29-05:00

This has likely been said already, but it's not HR -the hiring manager makes those decisions. Unfortunately 95 percent of resumes do not make it past the initial screening (usually automated looking for key words). You will need to network - do you have friends, business contacts who can point you in the right direction. Attend some job fairs - you'd be surprised at the number of staffing or 'head hunters' you can meet. Cultivate relationships with those folks. Consider taking a contractor job to get known in the field you are interested in.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jan 31 at 2016 9:06 PM

2016-01-31T21:06:50-05:00

You do have to get passed the gatekeepers (HR), and they are not very good a picking the right person because they are following a check list and have no understanding of the job and the right fit. Except when the job was a custom fit, made for me, job, which does not happen often, I have never been able to get passed HR. It I were king, I would ban HR from being involved in the hiring process and just have them stick to benefits and paperwork.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Feb 1 at 2016 12:28 AM

2016-02-01T00:28:46-05:00

SPC(P) Micah Lavigne, the best advice I ever got was from an out-processing person during a layoff at our company. He started by asking for a show of hands of anyone that got their current job from want ads. A couple of hands went up. Then he asked how many got their jobs through an employment agency. One or two hands went up. Then he asked how many got their jobs through someone they knew, and most of the people in the room raised their hands.

He said that was the normal result. Then he gave us the method to find a new job. Call anyone you know in the industry you are interested in, and don't ask them for a job, but ask them if they know anybody that is looking for someone like you. This lowers their defenses and gets them on your side in your job hunt, and they know their own industry better than any employment agency does.

If they happen to have a job for you they will make the offer; if not they will give you names of those that might be hiring. Call these contacts and tell them who recommended them to you, and again ask if they know anybody that might be hiring someone with your qualifications. Again, they may have a job for you or more names to call.

This out-processing exec said that by the time you get to the third level of references you will likely have a job offer; after all, you are dealing with insiders in companies that are doing well enough to be hiring new employees and you come with references from the hiring person's friends.

This has always worked for me, although I also got one job from a classified ad in the paper and another one from sending resumes in the blind to companies that interested me. Personal networking has been the best method though, in my experience.

Just remember, looking for a job is your actual job right now, and it needs all of the effort you have to put into it.

Good luck, and just remember, you may get a lot of rejections but you only need to find ONE that makes you an offer. Don't get discouraged.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Feb 1 at 2016 8:45 AM

2016-02-01T08:45:13-05:00

Prepare your sales pitch and be very knowledgeable of the company you are being considered for hiring. Stress how you can help this company with your technical, business, or personnel experiences. My field was in Financial Management so I always tried to mention how I had used cost and schedule control tools, ie., Excel Spreadsheets, Cost Risks Analysis and etc. I presented cost/schedule control data along with charts and analysis so that Executive Management could use this data and analysis for their decision making.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 10:46 AM

2016-02-01T10:46:09-05:00

Tailor your resume and really sell your confidence in your interviews.