How to Get Overseas Employers Attention

You’ve applied to countless healthcare jobs abroad and you still haven’t heard back from employers and receive only deafening silence in return. It’s a common experience, it’s no wonder people describe looking for a job abroad as one of the hardest jobs a person can have.

Falling into what’s known as the “application black hole” is a common experience, one that often frustrates even the most optimistic job seekers. If you’re applying for jobs and not hearing back, here are six ways to build your confidence and solutions despite the silence.

[Create your professional profile on Endorse Jobs and get noticed]

1. Know the employers selection criteria

To further reduce your chances of falling into the application black hole, review the job advert and selection criteria carefully for keywords and include these words in your Resume. Today, most employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS)—a software that allows for automated sorting of applications based on specific keywords, including healthcare sectors, clinical skills, years of experience, training. It is the same on Endorse Jobs, employers will use the filters to find the right candidates that will meet their service needs.

As soon as you click “Submit,” your application is evaluated based on the job selection criteria keywords, then ranked alongside other candidates in the employer’s database. That’s why it’s important to consider whether you have the qualifications and clinical expertise a job description is calling for before you apply for the position. You are unlikely to get past the human recruiters unless you have what they require.

2. Do your research

Have you set your sights on working for a particular hospital? Do some research. Visit their website and read the organisations services, history and latest news. Learn about their mission and values on their “About Us” page. Keep track of local networking events the hospital is attending or hosting by following their social media channels. This is a great way to stay up to date on what’s happening within the hospital and what matters to the organisation.

You can also follow potential employers on Endorse employer profile pages so that you can receive updates when new jobs are posted. Be sure to explore employer reviews, too.  employees may participate in and monitor these pages, and you might hear about the experience of other members in the community.

3. Know your industry

Healthcare employers in each country will have different levels of expectation. In the Republic of Ireland, employers will expect you to have passed your English Proficiency and received a Decision Letter from the Irish Nursing & Midwifery Council prior to setting up an interview, whilst employers in Saudi Arabia will expect you to have at least two years’ experience. By understanding employers’ expectations in each location, this will allow you to focus on what needs to be achieved before submitting hundreds of applications and not receiving a response.

Read more about working in Australia

Read more about working in the UK

Read more about working in New Zealand

Read more about working in Saudi Arabia

Read more about working in Canada

Read more about working in the USA

4. Make your professional profile stand out from the rest

Whilst there are tens of thousands of overseas jobs available, there is the same number of candidates looking for the next opportunity to work abroad. Upload or update your professional profile on a variety of job boards including Endorse Jobs. It is important that employers are aware you are available and activity looking to work abroad.

Ensure you have included a professional summary, relevant employment history, clinical expertise, relevant clinical education and list the countries you wish to work onto your Endorse profile, making it easier for employers to match you against their searches and direct message you with opportunities.

[Read more about how to write a resume]

5. Add a video resume

Whilst detailed professional profiles can help you to be discovered, many employers would like to meet the ‘real you’ before arranging an interview. A video resume is a great way to stand out and to get your message across.  With Endorse, you can add a video resume to your profile, tailoring it towards employers and the location you desire to work.

[Learn how to create a video resume]

6. Optimise your efforts

Find ways to automate the front end of the job search process (identifying jobs that interest you) as much as possible. You can do this by registering for job alerts—email updates about new jobs that match your preferences.

By reducing the amount of time you spend on searching for jobs, you’ll gain time to customise and improve your applications: tailoring your CV and cover letter to suit each position.

[Read more about how to write a personal statement for your resume]

7. Keep up the energy

It’s vital that you continue searching and applying for jobs. Fortunately, the job market is filled with opportunities. Set weekly goals for yourself, targeting a specific number of applications to complete.

There are thousands of healthcare jobs added for overseas healthcare professionals each month. While your perfect fit might feel elusive in the moment, there are many more opportunities appearing every week.

8. Go easy on yourself

Remember those goals you set for yourself? The best part of goal setting is the reward. Be sure that you make time to recognise your accomplishments—applying for those healthcare jobs and nurture your self-confidence by acknowledging your efforts.

Treat yourself in simple, meaningful ways: enjoy a walk in the park, read a good book, make time for friends and family, and above all, practice gratitude. Whether you’re unemployed, stuck in a job you can’t stand, or just looking for something better, it’s easy to feel sad and frustrated. Gratitude for what you already have can be your foundation for future growth. As your mindset shifts to focus on what you’re grateful for, you will find it easier to relax. Research suggests that that even doing this exercise for just one week can increase happiness and decrease depressive symptoms for six months.

9. Use and build your network

Ask your professional and social networks for help. Find out if anyone in your network already works at the hospital you’re targeting. If you haven’t heard back about an application and are concerned that it’s fallen into the black hole, your connection may be able to find an answer. Also, attend local networking events and join digital communities. These are fun ways to meet like-minded professionals and learn about new job opportunities.

10. Don’t be scared to submit multiple applications

Employers could be receiving hundreds of overseas applications and struggling to review and reply to everyone. Therefore, if you have submitted an application and haven’t received a response- don’t worry, it isn’t personal. The main reasons is that you may not have met the expected selection criteria and the vacancies are temporarily filled.

Before you feel rejected, review the employer of job details and identify the potential reason why you haven’t heard back. From requiring a particularly clinical experience, qualification, English proficiency or even a visa to allow you to work, could be some of the reasons why you haven’t heard back. Once you have identified the potential reasons for not gaining a response, act, achieve and re-apply.

[Create your profile on Endorse Jobs and be discovered by employers across the globe]

Looking for your next job can be a daunting process, and if you aren’t receiving feedback, it can feel like you aren’t making progress. But with a balance of targeted, keyword-rich applications, networking, and research, you’ll escape the application black hole and find not just the next job, but the right healthcare job.