Get past the resume screen with an advantage by using your network.
Networking is priceless for many reasons you might not have thought about. While it's not impossible to get by without a large network, it would make your career life much easier.
Having an extensive network will often mean you hear of opportunities before others, can learn more about various companies, teams, and roles outside of a job description, and get referrals that are more likely to push you forward in the hiring process.
If you apply for a job with a referral, you are much more likely to get the attention of a recruiter and get past the application and resume screen. It makes sense — if someone who is trusted at the company trusts you to do a good job, it makes you more appealing as a candidate.
Many companies will have different two types of referrals: personal and professional. Most likely, neither provide an advantage over the other, and it is just a formality. The forms for these are usually exactly the same.
Your chances of getting a referral will be much higher if you ask someone within your more immediate network who you talk to with some regularity or are on great terms with. However, you shouldn't be afraid to contact someone on LinkedIn who works at your desired company or an old friend from school you haven't talked to in a while to ask for a referral.
Although seeking out people you haven't talked to in a long time or a stranger on LinkedIn is perfectly fine, it needs to be done with tact and genuine interest in the person beyond what they can offer you. At the same time, you should be straightforward about your request when it comes time to ask.
Your chances of getting referrals through recruiters are slim if you ask bluntly. Therefore, you should incorporate a personalized message to greatly increase your chances of a positive response. You can begin this process by actively seeking out recruiters through platforms such as LinkedIn.
When reaching out to a recruiter, you should briefly highlight your interest in the position and your competency. You can do this by including any or all of the following: