A recent trend in the recruitment and hiring process for many companies is to have prospective employees submit an online application then use a computer program to pick the most likely candidates based on a key-word search. This weeds out many candidates before human resources managers ever see their applications.
Do you think this practice might be eliminating some candidates that might be an excellent fit for the job, perhaps in favor of a less qualified applicant? How do you personally feel about this practice? What might you do to make your application stand out and to get your application to be passed on by the computer?
Answer these questions in five to eight good sentences. Be sure to reply to two of your classmates with three to five good sentences. Remember, spelling and grammar count!
Write in your own words
I think that the practice of using computer programs to filter out job applicants based on key-word searches could potentially eliminate some highly qualified candidates who may not have used the exact words or phrases in their application that the program is searching for. It may also favor less qualified applicants who simply know how to game the system. I personally feel that this practice can be unfair and can result in the loss of valuable talent for a company.
To make my application stand out and bypass the computer screening process, I would tailor my resume and cover letter to include relevant key words and phrases that are commonly used in the job description. I would also try to network and establish connections within the company to increase my chances of getting noticed by a human recruiter. Additionally, I would make sure to showcase my skills, achievements, and relevant experience in a clear and concise manner to make a strong impression on the hiring team.
Classmate 1: I completely agree with you that this practice can be unfair to highly qualified candidates who might be overlooked by the computer program. I think that tailoring your application to include key words and networking within the company are both excellent strategies to help your application stand out. It's important to find ways to get noticed by human recruiters in order to increase your chances of being considered for the job.
Classmate 2: I believe that using a computer program to filter out applicants based on key words may overlook important qualities that a human recruiter might consider. Tailoring your application to include relevant key words and phrases is definitely a smart strategy to help your application get noticed. Networking within the company is also a great idea to increase your chances of being considered for the job. It's important to find ways to make your application stand out in a crowded pool of candidates.