Being fashionably late is only acceptable for parties. When it comes to getting a resume in to a hiring manager, it pays to be early. Once the ball is rolling and the interview calendar is full, it lessens the chances that your resume will get looked at with much consideration.

Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your game and be the early bird that catches the worm.

Set Up Automated Alerts

If you utilize job boards, set up email alerts to let you know as soon as new posting goes live. You can set specific keyword criteria to be sure you’re getting notified of the most relevant new jobs.

Follow Desired Employers on Social Media

Be sure to like your target companies on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn. Many companies post new job announcements online and push those announcements out through social media.

Network Online and In Person

Don’t be afraid to reach out to hiring managers at your target companies. Connect with them on LinkedIn, or take a more forward approach and send them a well-crafted email expressing your interest. Hiring managers need to keep a pipeline of candidates, so taking these steps could open the door to conversations about upcoming openings.

You should also join local networking and industry-specific professional groups to make connections with movers and shakers in your field. If you can establish professional relationships with people at your target organizations, they’ll think of you when openings come up.

Work With a Recruiter

Professional recruiters have established relationships with hiring managers. Those managers look to their recruiters to tap qualified candidates for their open positions. Often, they work with a recruiter before they ever post a job online. Your recruiter can get your resume in front of the right eyes before the competition ever even sees a posting.

Searching for a job is time consuming and the market is extremely competitive. You need to take every chance you can get to improve your chances of landing an interview. If you are an engineer looking for new challenges, Dunhill Staffing can help. We work closely with our candidates, connecting them to new engineering job opportunities that will help them meet their long-term goals. Our main office is located in the Southeast, but our network of engineers and organizations stretches across the nation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you connect with your next opportunity.