3 Reasons Why You Haven’t Heard Back From the Remote Job You Applied For

While it can be frustrating not hearing back from employers, it doesn’t have to be the case when you follow the tips in this guide.

Did you know 98% of job seekers are eliminated at the initial resume screening phase?

That means just the top 2% of job applicants actually land an interview.

So if you’ve been feeling like the odds of scoring a remote position aren’t in your favor, there may be something you can do to change your luck.

In fact, today we’ll be covering not one, but three of the most common reasons applications don’t move forward to the interview stage.

When you avoid or fix these issues, you’ll instantly increase your chances of employers reading your resume and touching base with you ASAP.

So let’s start with the first and arguably biggest mistake: giving a potential employer a negative first impression.

#1: You Never Bothered to Create a Unique Cover Letter (Or One At All)

Cover letters can be a pain to create. After all, it’s just another step in what can be an already lengthy application process with most of the same information.

But skipping one or putting in half the effort just because they’re not fun isn’t the answer.

Here’s why: a cover letter can be your golden ticket to getting your resume read.

Cover letters help potential employers see how you think and write — and they give a peek at your personality.

A solid cover letter also shows potential employers how much effort you’re willing to put in. It also indicates just how much you want the position and are invested in chasing it.

Just the opposite happens with a poor cover letter or none at all.

Do this and you’ll give employers a reason to weed you out and choose someone who went the extra mile.

Since cover letters require serious thought, create a template you can adjust for each position to save yourself some time.

A cover letter template should:

• Start out with where you found the remote job.
• Discuss how your skills fit the job description and make the connection between your past experience and the job you’re applying for. It’s especially important to highlight previous remote work experience here.
• Close with a simple salutation and thank you.

Your cover letter should be just a few short paragraphs containing two or three sentences each, at most. Don’t create a robust cover letter that’s too long for employers to sift through.

Most importantly, generate a unique cover letter for each position you apply for.

This shows employers you’ve done your homework and you’re not taking a lazy approach by reusing a cover letter from another position.

You should only create cover letters for jobs that really interest you. This will give you plenty of time to invest in making yours stand out.

Do this and you’ll hear back from employers sooner rather than later, which also happens when you avoid this next mistake.

#2: Your Resume Is Too Generic

Just like your cover letter should be customized for the position you’re applying for, so should your resume.

This doesn’t mean you have to reinvent your resume each time from scratch, rather, we’re suggesting you create a resume template and tailor it to highlight what the employer is looking for in their specific job description.

So if you’re applying for a graphic design job requiring experience with digital ads, don’t put your billboard ad creation experience at the top.

Think of your resume like real estate:

The primetime spots are at the top of the page so use this important space to show off the exact skills the job description is looking for.

This is also where you’ll want to point out your remote skills so employers know you can easily adapt without requiring much training.

It’s also a good idea to use the same keywords in your resume as in the job post, just in case your resume is being scanned through an applicant tracking system.

And no, that doesn’t mean you should stuff your resume unnaturally with keywords. Simply make sure they’re in there and relate to your experience.

Keep in mind, the number of keywords you use in your resume won’t matter if you’re guilty of this final mistake.

#3: You Don’t Have Enough Experience

You can create a solid cover letter and a standout resume to match, but you may not hear back from employers if you lack the experience they’re seeking.

All hope is not lost, but you should take a closer look at whether you were really qualified for the position before applying for others like it.

Far too often job candidates stretch their experience on their resume. Others don’t bother to read how many years of experience are required thinking employers don’t really mean X+ years are needed.

Don’t make this mistake.

Only apply for jobs you’re really qualified for and save everyone’s time.

If you sidestep these three mistakes, your resume should have a fighting chance of connecting with your potential employers.

Prove You’re Invested in the Position and Employers Will Invest in You

By spending time on your cover letter and resume, you’ll show potential employers you’re really willing to put in the work it takes to land the job.

And they’ll assume you’ll do the same once hired.

These tips are especially important for remote positions where employers have hundreds of qualified applicants from all over the world competing for opportunities.

So make sure your cover letter and resume stand out and show you’re the most qualified candidate (because you’re bursting with all the necessary experience).

This simple recipe will help you secure more interviews and hopefully land the remote job of your dreams in less time.