Handing in resume's in person is still very effective, experts say.

By Adrian St.Onge

‘Humans still hire humans’: Experts say getting hired is challenging, but not impossible

Jan 26, 2024 | 4:47 PM

Dropping off resumes in person and contacting employers directly seems to be taboo.

While application and interview processes are moving towards an online applications, there are things that can be done to improve your odds.

Online job postings will see hundreds of applicants, and according to Courtney Hill, a manager of talent systems, 95 per cent will go unanswered.

While this may seem unfair, Hill said that it’s an even playing field, even though the process has become more competitive and challenging.

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“Employers are still reaching out to employees,” Hill said.

“It wouldn’t be fair if nobody was getting the roles. But there are lots of success stories. I know there’s employers out there who put fake postings, but I think that’s more the exception, not the rule,” she added.

“Most people don’t have that time to waste. Their goal is to hire top talent. How can you be top talent?”

Jodie Engbert, of the Medicine Hat YMCA, said that businesses turn to online recruiting options like Indeed to draw from a larger pool of applicants.

This can work in an applicant’s favour.

Engbert said online applications let employers eliminate biases, leading to more inclusivity in a workplace.

“They’re not being able to make judgments on first appearance, and in a sort of way, that really helps a community because it really should be based on who has the best qualifications for the job, not their characteristics.”

Most students at Medicine Hat College already have employment or job offers.

One student said the first job she got at age 14 was the hardest to get, but since then, job hunting has proved to be easier.

Shelly Drifs said that the biggest issue is a perceived lack of experience.

“A lot of times, students have a lot more experience than they think they have,” Drifs said.

“They might not have it in that line of work, but when we sit down and look at their transferable skills and how those skills connect to different industries, a lot of the times they have work integrated learning that they didn’t recognize as experience.”

All experts stressed the importance of soft skills, networking and tailoring resume’s to specific job applications.

Hill feels like there is still value in handing out resume’s in person and that qualified applicants will still get contacted.

“It’s maybe more intimidating, now more than ever, to hand in resume’s in person. Some companies might not like it, but I think that’s more the exception,” Hill said.

“At the end of the day, humans still hire humans, and candidates need to remember that.”