The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a tremendous impact on hiring and employment across the United States, and the drilling industry has not been immune. As unemployment remains high, skilled-trade professionals are flocking to job boards to search for new opportunities. If you’re reading this while submitting applications on Indeed and LinkedIn, you’re probably wondering how you can stand out when you have so many competitors for every job opening. 

In today’s article, we’ll cover the two things you must do if you want to snag a hiring manager’s attention: create a resume that makes your skills and experiences shine, and then go the extra mile to connect with decision-makers.

Create an Eye-Catching Resume

Before you do anything, you’ll want to take a look at your resume and be sure you’re following a few practical guidelines. Most hiring managers are aware that skilled-trade professionals are not professional resume writers, but in a high-unemployment environment, a well-written resume can be very effective for securing a job interview.

Try these tips to make your resume stand out.

• Keep your formatting simple and concise. Managers are sifting through a much larger number of applicants today than they were this time last year, so you’ll want to create a resume that is easy to skim for important details. Remember also to use keywords for specific skills and abilities that the job demands. I also recommend a short objective statement that is direct and to the point.
• Tailor your resume to the job description. Be sure to thoroughly review the job description and make some edits to your resume to align keywords, and elaborate on any experience you have that is required.
• Highlight your transferable skills. As a job seeker, it’s your responsibility to show how the skills you gained in one job can benefit a new prospective employer.
• Focus on your achievements. What was the end result of your efforts in previous roles? In a resume, it’s important to not just say what you did, but also describe what the impact was for the organization.
• Include any relevant certifications and training. Education should be the final section of your skilled-trade resume. If you hold any specific licenses, those should also be included.

Connect with Decision-Makers

Making personal connections with decision-makers and hiring managers is just as important as having a well-crafted resume. Job seekers can make these connections in many different ways, such as …

• Sending the hiring manager or recruiter a connection request on LinkedIn.
• Leaving thoughtful comments on the company’s online content.
• Calling local offices to inquire about hiring needs and application status.
• Calling recruiters to inquire about next steps and the interview process.
• Drafting a personalized cover letter with your application, highlighting your interest in that specific company and why you are interested in the role.
• Networking with others who may be current employees of the company.
• Sending a follow-up email after your interview to hiring managers or recruiters re-confirming your interest in the position.

The hiring environment will continue to change, but you can prepare. Creating a top-notch resume and making connections with the right people will certainly pay off when hiring inevitably picks back up.