The Secret Bypass Around Applicant Tracking Systems - CareerEnlightenment.com

and determine whether I want to turn my career in this direction. Do you have 15-20 minutes to talk on the phone with me about the work that you’re doing? I’m not looking for a job â€" what I’m seeking is advice. I’m open Monday and Wednesday afternoons next week, but if those times don’t fit your schedule, please let me know what works well with your calendar, and we’ll find something that suits both our schedules. Thanks!”Asking substantive questions during your phone call, such as, “I’m curious about the path you took to your position, even if it’s not typical” (this question gives you a strong sense of who they are and allows you to naturally make connections that you might use in your thank you note to them) and “What advice would you give someone like me â€" recognizing that I’m not entry-level, yet I’m missing some key experience?” and “Are there specific training programs or credentials or conferences that you recommend I explore?”Keeping th e meeting to the promised 15-20 minutes and ending with, “If I think of more questions over the coming weeks and months, is it okay for me to loop back to you?”Staying in touch with the people you resonate with using authentic and natural springboards (you’ll have joined a LinkedIn group that they recommended and then you might tell them how helpful a discussion thread was to you, for example).If you follow this formula, you’ll get advice that will help you infiltrate the network of the profession you’re targeting. You’ll begin to create relationships and find opportunities that aren’t posted online (or, if they are, you’ll have people who might champion you from within the organizations you’re targeting).