How do I get employers to notice me when a lot of people have applied?

Very few employers share with candidates the number of applicants they’ve received for a job opening, so if you’re seeing dozens or even hundreds of applications for a job you applied to then I suspect that you saw that number on a job board.

If that’s the case, then the actual number of applicants is likely larger as few employers source all of their candidates for any role from just one job board. That said, do not assume that your chances are slim to none simply based on the number of applications. Many employers are hiring multiple people into the same or similar role. Some are even hiring dozens or hundreds. 

Regardless of your odds, you can increase them significantly with most employers by following up. At College Recruiter, we recommend that candidates follow up three to five business days after they apply. It is usually pretty easy to find an employer’s phone number and email address on their website so if you don’t have the contact information for a specific person, then call or email the employer, ask for human resources, and ask them to confirm they received your resume. If they did not, re-apply. If they did, ask what the next step is in the hiring process and when that will happen.

They may not be willing to commit to a specific date so politely guide them. Ask something like, “Would you normally review a resume within a few days of receiving it? A week? Three weeks?” Make the last option unreasonably long as that will typically result in the person saying something like, “Oh, no. It would never take us three weeks. We should have time to review your resume this week.”

Make a note to follow-up again two business days after that date and repeat the process. Your continuing interest will separate you out in their eyes and re-affirm your interest in the opportunity.