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.

Question

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.

Answer 1

I do believe that this practice may be eliminating some potentially excellent candidates in favor of those who may be less qualified but happen to have the right keywords in their application. Personally, I feel that this practice may not always be effective in determining the best fit for a job as it may overlook candidates with unique experiences or skills that are not easily captured by keywords. To make my application stand out and increase the chances of getting passed on by the computer program, I would tailor my resume and cover letter to specifically highlight the skills, experiences, and keywords that are relevant to the job. Additionally, I would ensure that my application is well-written, error-free, and clearly demonstrates my qualifications and achievements. Networking and reaching out to hiring managers directly could also help in bypassing the automated screening process.