Written by Julia Churan
It sounds so easy to apply for positions online. No hassle driving to a prospective employer’s office and trying to find someone that will accept your resume, or sealing a copy in an envelope and running it to the post office only to wait for a call that may or may not come.
The reality is there are so many websites that promote the same jobs and each one wants you to upload your resume with the hope of landing your dream job. Then there is the anxiety of whether your dream company actually receive it and are they considering you. Did some bit of technology between your internet provider and the company’s recruiters go haywire? You wonder if you will get a call and you may never even know if the role was actually filled or if your resume was seen by the hiring manager. The whole process can often feel overwhelming, impersonal and extremely frustrating.
Making Sense of the Online Application Process
Keynote Speaker: Jackie Schierenberg, Dignity Health
Jackie took the stage with over 20 years of experience in talent acquisition. She was there to share her insights from the other side of the job search: the recruiter’s perspective. Her focus has been on finding top talent, understanding HR technology and maximizing social media in the hiring process.
How does a Recruiter find talent?
- Candidate submissions
- Past applicants whose data is still in the applicant database
- Current employees
- Referrals – both internal and external
- Social Media – Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Facebook
- CRM – databases of acquired names through Talent Pools and other sources
- Boolean Search
- Conferences and Association Lists
- Job Boards
Most companies give current employees first consideration. Roles that are more difficult may require more extensive methods of search.
The ATS
The database system that recruiters use to manage the entire hiring process is known as an ATS or Applicant Tracking System. The software will do everything from post new job requisitions on websites, store and help categorize candidate resumes, manage the interview process and track activity on any particular job opening.
Companies rely heavily on these systems to process the hundreds of applications that may come in for a posting in a faster, more efficient manner.
Some ATS systems allow new postings to populate the company’s portal and the most popular job boards in a fully-automated way. Many of the newer systems are using artificial intelligence to aid in the overall process and remove human bias. Companies are able to maintain compliance and pull reports to analyze metrics about a specific posting, role, candidate and more.
Most job searches today start on Google.com. Candidates can search to see who is hiring, research desired companies, learn minimum requirements and keywords to include in their resume, gather salary information and tips for interview preparation.
Tips to Be Aware of When You Upload a Resume to an ATS
- Keep things simple! – Many ATS systems will strip formatting or even omit information if they find unknown tags within the document. Font type, bullet points, and some file types can “confuse” older systems. Consider a basic formatted version specifically for uploading online.
- Be aware of the requested file type – Jackie recommends using a PDF format unless noted specifically.
- Keywords – Be sure your resume has terms the are specific to the role and used in the company’s description. You can use generic keywords for a specific job, but if you are looking for a nursing role and the description specifies RN, be sure to use RN rather than Registered Nurse. Some recruiters may include both when they search for candidates, but you have a greater chance of rising to the top of the search by using the exact terms from the company’s posting.
Do Your Homework
There are so many resources today, applicants have no excuse for not preparing when applying and interviewing for roles.
- Start with a Google Search – Understand the business, the products and get perspective on the corporate style and culture.
- Leverage Your Network – Reach out to friends and social media groups to find people to share insight about the company or role. Try to find people who are connected to individuals within the hiring team.
- Company Career Groups – Many large companies will have their own Career Groups where you can interact with the HR team and even inquire on status or resumes.
- Glassdoor.com – Research the interview tips, salaries, and benefits.
- Indeed.com – Recruiters monitor this chatter and reviews.
Other Tips to Staying Aware in the Search
Apply Directly to the Company’s Website. The job boards may not be as up-to-date with positions and a resume can get lost between the different systems. Your best bet is to go directly to the source.
Sign Up for Email Alerts – This feature is often in the search function or after you have uploaded your resume on the company website. It can save you time from checking that company’s website every couple of days for new postings that meet your criteria. You may also be one of the first candidates to apply if you are on these lists.
Join Talent Pools – These are often available on the employer career portals. Sourcers are tracking engagement and this is a great way to show interest in the organization. This will allow you to become part of recruiting news or email campaigns.
Recruiters Often Tag Candidate Profiles – Try to make personal connections with the talent team by social media, career fairs, and even cold calls. Recruiters can apply tags to a candidate profile to make candidates easier to find later.
Email and Text Campaigns – Recruiters will send prospective emails to potential candidates from past applicants and talent pools. Keep your resume current in the ATS.
White Text Trick – Put added keywords at the bottom of your resume in white text. They won’t be detected when printing, but when a recruiter runs a search, they may help you get picked up.
Meet the Minimum Qualifications – If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you will not make it to the hiring manager through the talent team.
Be Discoverable – Companies can see the different resumes you have submitted and your history, but the hiring company is likely looking at your most recent one. Make sure your profile is as complete as possible to be found.
Cover letters – Recruiters generally do not read cover letters. Make the resume and cover letter all one document before you upload them to the system.
Get Personal With Recruiters – Leverage LinkedIn to find recruiters and hiring managers. Search for them on Google and make a call or reach out directly to the talent or hiring team.
Track Your Application on the Career Portal – Many companies today do not notify applicants when the position has been filled, so watch your profile on the company’s portal.
Hiring Companies
Dignity Health
Marcos Day, Recruiter
Dignity Health is one of the Valley’s largest healthcare providers and growing with a recent merger. They will soon be known as CommonSpirit Health and serve 22 states. They often carry up to 8600 open positions at any time.
CommonSpirit offers a strong benefits package including a Zero Premium Option for employees plus a pension plan & 403(b) company match program of up to 6%. They also invest in their staff with a variety of educational and financial services.
Current Career Openings:
- Patient Facing Roles – Nurses, Rehab Therapists, Radiology, Lab Techs, Patient Transportation
- Non-Patient Facing – Food Service, Facilities, IT, CyberSecurity, Accounting, Finance, Marketing
Applicants are encouraged to apply on the Careers Website.
Copper Springs
Cooper Springs is a part of Springstone. They have mental health and addiction services in 17 states and are opening their newest facility in East Valley, Copper Springs – East.
There will be many clinical and non-clinical opportunities available for this new location. Check out their Career Website or contact Melissa Barry regarding the new Gilbert location.
Terros Health
Tracy Outlaw, Recruiter
Terros is a non-profit, integrated care provider in the valley. Since 1969, their mission has been to serve the needs of the public with integrity, passion, and empowerment. Today they provide services through 19 locations around the state of AZ in Primary Care, Counseling, Health & Wellness, and Addiction services.
Current Openings:
- Front Office Staff
- Behavioral Health Techs
- Clinicians
- Recovery Support Specialists
- Case Managers
Apply online at https://www.terroshealth.org/
AZ DES – Department of Economic Security
Nancy Stanford, Recruiting Manager
DES is the second largest agency of the State of Arizona with more than 7,700 team members. They assist over 2.9 million Arizonans each year through the following agencies:
- Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
- Division of Benefits & Medical Eligibility (DBME)
- Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)
- Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
- Division of Employment & Rehab Services (DERS)
Along with a comprehensive benefits package and time off, DES is one of the few employers to offer Arizona Retirement Systems with vesting after 5 years and a 12% match.
Current Openings:
- Adult Protective Services Investigators
- Program Service Evaluators
- Direct Care Worker
- Customer Service Reps
- Case Managers
- Finance roles
- HR Roles
Application Process
- Visit https://azstatejobs.azdoa.gov/ for current postings.
- Be sure to watch for position closing dates, salary and job grades. Interviewing will not begin until the position close date.
- Use keywords at the very beginning of your resume.
- When applying and uploading a new resume, delete the old one first.
- Recruiter’s information is always posted.
- No ATS system is used, all resumes are reviewed individually by a recruiter.
- Follow up with the contact in the job description and always refer to the Job ID#.
- Keep applying!
- Remember – Salaries are posted and always negotiable.
Upcoming Events
Diversity Talks – October 3, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
This is the 5th Annual Diversity & Inclusion Event in conjunction with BestCompaniesAZ to help Arizona’s top employers meet talented individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities, experiences, beliefs and abilities.
The panel will include USAA, State Farm, Freedom Financial Network, GoDaddy, AMEX, USAA, Farmers Insurance and Charles Schwab. There will also be a career fair with top companies.
To register or learn about the participating companies, visit the Event Page.
Finding and Landing a New Career FAST! – October 10 in Scottsdale
The Networking Brief – October 22 in Gilbert
See the Events Page for complete details of these and other upcoming events. Register today.
Closing
Jessica Pierce, Founder/CEO of Career Connectors, took the stage to thank everyone for taking the next step in finding a new career.
She recognized the many hiring companies, sponsors and partners including Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona and Brighton College.
Anyone interested in IT, funding is now available up to $4000 for tuition assistance of online certifications through Career Connectors Academy and AZ@Work. To learn more about these opportunities, connect with a staff member and visit the website.
Every seeker was encouraged to network with other seekers, build more LinkedIn connections, take a free DISC assessment and have a professional portrait taken by a photography volunteer at the event. Professional resume writers, LinkedIn experts and Career Coaches are also available at the event to perfect your search tools.
Thank you to Central Christian Church for hosting the event and the 90 volunteers that serve Career Connectors around the Valley.