Why your resume is not getting shortlisted?

Applying to too many jobs and still not getting shortlisted?

Don’t worry; you are not alone in this. In fact, this is one of the most common challenges faced by some truly amazing talents. They often find themselves in a constant cycle of rejections, missing out on great opportunities, doubting their own capabilities, and eventually losing the motivation for growth, sometimes even settling for less.

To help you overcome this challenge, we will discuss the steps and changes needed to land the desired job. So stay tuned until the end of this blog.

Don’t let your first impression down:

Your resume gives the very first impression of you. It speaks about the kind of person you are, your values, your mindset, your work history, and your approach to work. It’s almost like a replica of you, and you cannot afford to ruin that first impression. Your resume should be as accurate and on-point as possible; it’s supposed to convey your story in the most concise way possible. It includes a brief summary of you, the skills you want to highlight, your experiences, followed by the achievements or any notable contributions you made in your organization, and then ending with some additional information like educational background, personal information about hobbies, etc. Apart from this, there are various other things that can be done to improve your visibility to recruiters.

Increase your visibility; it matters the most:

It’s not only the best talent that gets the opportunity, but also the most visible. While crafting resumes, you could incorporate a few measures that will help you boost your visibility in front of recruiters and thus increase your chances of getting shortlisted. The measures include:

1. Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems):

• Use Standard Formatting: ATS often struggles with complex formatting. Use simple, clean formatting with standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid headers, footers, tables, and graphics.
• Include Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description that are relevant to your skills and experience. This increases the chances of the ATS recognizing your resume as a good match for the position.
• Use Standard Headings: Common headings like “Professional Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” help ATS identify key sections of your resume.
• Save in a Compatible Format: PDFs and Word documents (.docx) are typically ATS-friendly. However, check the job posting for specific file format preferences.

2. Utilize Industry-Specific Keywords:

• Research Industry Trends: Stay updated on the latest trends and terminologies in your industry. Use these keywords in your resume to show that you’re current and knowledgeable.
• Tailor to Each Job: Customize your resume for each application by using keywords from the job description. This shows you have the specific skills and experience the employer is looking for.
• Highlight Relevant Skills: Focus on both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (communication, teamwork). Use bullet points to make these stand out.

3. Leverage Your Network:

• Connect with Industry Professionals: Networking can significantly increase your resume’s visibility. Reach out to industry contacts, attend professional events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Get Referrals: A referral from someone within the company can help your resume bypass the ATS and go directly to the hiring manager.

4. Include a Professional Summary:

• Craft a Compelling Summary: Start your resume with a brief professional summary that highlights your key skills, experiences, and what you bring to the table. This can immediately grab a recruiter’s attention.

5. Quantify Achievements:

• Use Numbers: Wherever possible, quantify your achievements (e.g., “increased sales by 30%,” “managed a team of 10”). This helps demonstrate the impact of your work and makes your resume more compelling.

6. Proofread and Edit:

• Eliminate Errors: Ensure your resume is free of grammatical errors and typos. These can create a negative impression and reduce your chances of getting noticed.

By implementing these measures, you can significantly improve your resume's visibility to recruiters and increase your chances of landing an interview.

How are we helping you out?

You can always craft your resume in the most perfect way, but if you find it challenging, we understand that, and that is where we help maritime professionals with their resume prep. We cover all the above points to ensure you land your desired job with the least amount of hurdles.   

So far, we have served over 1,000 satisfied professionals. However, we have also been approached by non-mariners in freight forwarding, logistics, supply chain, and port operations for their resumes, and we have been helping them as well. Now, we are making it official that we are open to non-mariners as well who are in freight forwarding, logistics, supply chain, and port operations and are looking for professional help with their resume.

The last thing to add over here is don’t lose hope you will end up with the best of the opportunity you deserve.