You asked our recruiter, Claire Shriver, and she’s answered some of your most popular questions below. Have a question for Claire? Share in the comments.
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Hello Lenovo EDU community! Below are some popular questions I receive from students and parents. I hope this article will be helpful for you!
- I am applying for all these jobs, and most of them I never hear anything back. Why do I never hear from recruiters?
Fun Fact: I applied for 48 jobs before being hired. I only heard back from about six of those. While it was tough to experience this, my current job is helping me to understand a lot of why this happens. Something that I personally have been working on is better communication with candidates, because at the end of the day it is their experience with the company and the impression they are left with. At Lenovo, some of our roles can get up to over 1000+ applicants each. It can be pretty tough and time-consuming to go through each and every one of them, so sometimes there are applicants that may just get left in the pool in the process. Learning from my own experience, I have started to ensure communication at different points in the process, even if that is sending a decline email. It is better for them to hear no than to not hear anything. Just know we aren't ignoring you; it can get very overwhelming when you get into these high numbers!
- What is the best way to show your passion in a resume?
When looking at resumes (and this goes for lots of recruiters), I don't tend to look at them for very long. The first things I am looking for in a resume are either the skills or experience these students have attained over the years. Whether that is a leadership role in an organization, participation on a team of some sort, or any clubs they have been in, it shows the interest and passion they have for the specific field. Even showcasing a portfolio on your resume through a QR code would be nice to see. Something easy to click on would be great to add! Students having previous internship experience definitely adds value, however I personally am looking more for what they are passionate about.
- After applying for a job, how long should you wait before following up with a recruiter?
For this I would say around 1-2 weeks. By then, I would be following up on the status of your application. You may not have any direct contact information for a recruiter, but I suggest shooting them a message on LinkedIn to check in. You may or may not get a response, but it is nice to get your name on their plate. I would say after you have interviewed, follow up after 3-4 days. The processes should be moving quickly so checking in can definitely move the process along if it is coming on a little slower.
- What should I do if I don't meet all the qualifications of a job description?
Apply anyway! Most of the time, a job description is just a wish-list. If you meet a good number of the requirements but are missing a few things, you might earn a certification or take a class in the meantime to up your experience level in the field of work. Remember, recruiters are starting to look at more skill sets versus experience, so focus on building your skills as well!
- When should I start looking for full-time opportunities if I am graduating in May?
This was definitely something I wish I knew when applying for jobs because to be fully transparent, I completely missed the campus recruiting cycle. Typically for all companies, the campus cycle runs from August-November. That is the time when teams are on the road actively recruiting for full time jobs. So, if you are graduating next May, your time is coming!
- Do recruiters read cover letters?
The answer to this question might surprise you, but recruiters do not look at cover letters most of the time. We get such an influx of applications; we don't have the time to open every single resume and cover letter. Typically, I read cover letters if I see a gap of employment or a career switch, to gain a better understanding of the candidate's current situation. I definitely recommend submitting one within an application, you never know when someone might read it!
- What is the best way to prepare for internships once I have received one?
I recommend reaching out to your manager to ask if there is anything you as a candidate can best prepare for your internship! There might be software you might be using they want you to be familiar with, or a certification they want you to earn before starting. Check with them to see if there’s anything you could do to get a head start! Additionally, there might be some onboarding tasks you might need to complete beforehand, so make sure you are staying on top of it!