The breakdown in the application process has to do with company applicant tracking systems. There are usually hundreds of applicants for positions and HR/recruiters do not physically look through each. There are a set of keywords that get searched that are pre-built by these ATS's. They aren't usually industry specific and thus don't have up to date criteria to search for.
As the process continues, the recruiter tends to scan a resume in 20 or so seconds to determine if a person is a "good fit." (Remember, these are HR professionals that aren't experts in all the technical aspects of jobs) if the recruiter likes the resume, maybe they look at the cover letter, maybe they get a phone interview. Maybe. Then with some luck, the manager might see your profile. Basically, the chance that your application ever sees the right people is terribly low.
If you do contact the manager directly, you are now ahead of the 600 other people who applied.
Here's an example:
Hi manager, this is candidate and I'm calling about the open position. I have been searching for something like this, as I have x years of experience in jobs. I'd like to sit and talk with you about the position and see if it's something where my skills could help you and your team. Are you available for a cup of coffee near your office before work at "pick date/location".
Even if you just leave a voicemail, the manager has heard your name. Much better than having your resume end up in a black hole.
The 400billion global industry is staffing and recruiting. They are trained to call and sell candidate profiles to every industry that has ever existed in much the same way described above. There is no industry immune. Lawyers, IT, writers, baristas, labor, and even mascots. Yes there is a staffing/recruiting firm for mascots. Need a Tony the Tiger? They'll get you the guy.
And to date, despite all the technology and social media and job sites and software that exist to make the hiring process easier, staffing/recruiting continues to grow while using some of the same techniques for the past 30 years. Silly that all these companies pay firms to recruit for them when they have all this fancy technology.
Phew... Off my soapbox.
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