5 Ways To Avoid Getting Screened Out During the Job Hunt

The road to getting an offer can be treacherous. How do you get going without being screened out too early?

Consider 5 ways below:

1. Get the right intro. Ideally someone who knows your work and is trusted by the hiring manager can introduce you. But don’t discount having anyone within the company get your resume to the right person. Just don’t rely on the online application system alone, which can be a black hole. Befriend people in advance, and use connections when applying.
2. Have a winning resume. Make sure it’s on point and tracks the job description closely. Don’t be wordy. For attorneys with fewer than 10 years’ experience, it must be on 1 page, and for those more than 10 years, 2 pages max. You can have a separate addendum of relevant speaking engagements, publications, representative matters, etc.
3. Anticipate and address questions employers would have about you. For example, if you went to a second tier school, you need to show you are worthy of consideration, e.g., by highlighting class rank/honors in relevant courses or counseling top clients in similar industries. Get known as a substantive expert in your field, and list awards, publications, and speaking engagements.
4. Remove any logistical obstacles. For example, if you live in a distant suburb where commuting would take an hour each way, consider leaving the address off your resume. Conversely, if you would like to move back to the Bay Area and have a home here still, include that Bay Area address on your resume.
5. Hold sensitive questions until the end. Yes, you don’t want to waste anyone’s time and only want to move to a job that meets some specific criteria, but don’t demand those at the first meeting. Employers can get flexible for candidates they really like, and you won’t win any points by raising contentious issues before you build a relationship.