Ashley, I can empathize with your situation, and so can many many many others.

I think it's interesting how you say HR is the "FIRST WALL" regarding the disposition of your (read: everyone's) application.  What a clever way to acknowledge the other "walls" we as jobseekers face!  Like it or not, we'll never be able to tear them down.

As Megan so accurately implied, there is a possibility HR never received your materials in the first place.  Sometimes USPS loses the mail, sometimes emails are junked in a spam folder, sometimes people forget to take all the pages of a fax.  I make an attempt to confirm that my application was actually received (automated receipts are fine, try not to call); there's some semblance of comfort knowing they have the necessary documents.

Stephanie is correct -- "tag" words are absolutely noted by the humans AND computer programs that scan an applicant pool.  (In fact, sometimes there's an algorithm set decide what applicants are contacted: say hello to USAjobs.gov.)  True, HR might be unfamiliar with the particulars of the job; but also true, HR might know everything about the job based on the vocabulary used in the job description and your cover letter.  Using these words and/or characterizing the job responsibilities might be the only way they can tell you've done everything you say you've done.

The opportunistic thing about networking is that you can have a referral do BOTH of these for you: ensure your application is in the hands/on the mind of the appropriate person, and vouch for your familiarity and interest in the job/institution.  These days it's actually kind of fun to engage the Six Degrees of Separation in our professional communities.

I guess all of this is to say that a little proactivity and gamesmanship on the applicant's part can help weaken the walls!

Nicholas Merkelson
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www.cultureinperil.com
@cultureinperil

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