Sending out a resume can be a bit intimidating. You’ve read the job description carefully, prepared your resume and cover letter, and then hit the Send button…

And now you’re hoping that the employer will recognize how perfect you are for the job, and call you – ending your job search once and for all!

However, instead of hoping, waiting, and leaving yourself to feel dejected by a lack of response, it’s time to swing into action.

These 3 post job-application steps will help you feel more in control of your search – and produce better results:

1 - Ensure that your digital identity is in line with what you sent.

Neglected your LinkedIn Profile or set it up in a hurry (the way most people do)? Now’s a great time to go back and look it over with a critical eye.

Does it represent your career level, or just provide a dry listing of your jobs? If the latter is true, you’re missing a golden opportunity.

Power up your LinkedIn Summary to show the job you are targeting—NOT just the one you hold now. Add your desired job title as part of your headline (which will help with keyword hits), and accomplishments that  demonstrate your capability to take the next step up the career ladder.

You can expect both hiring managers and interviewers to scan your Profile within days of receiving your application. Therefore, you’ll need to give your online credentials the same attention as your resume.

2 - Follow up... with a real person!

This is where LinkedIn can come in handy. Use the site’s Advanced People Search function to locate company insiders, especially those in positions that might hire you.

Now, take your cover letter and resume, and send them directly to your new contact—using old-fashioned postal mail
(which is less likely to be ignored).

Chances are good that you’ll be in direct contact with your new boss, and it’s possible that this person hasn’t even seen your resume come through the website. 

Put a sentence in your letter that explains how you’ve went through the typical channels to apply for the job, but that you wanted to have the opportunity to contact him or her directly as well.

Don't limit your company reseach to LinkedIn, either - try Zoominfo.com, Spoke.com, Jigsaw.com, or ReferenceUsa.com (available for free via most public libraries).

3 - Consider targeting the company’s competitors.

If you’ve figured out that Company A is hiring in your field, there’s a good chance that Companies B and C in the same
industry are also in need of new employees.

In fact, that great company you just applied to may actually intend to hire employees away from its competitors.

So, using the same methods to find a contact name as in Step #2, ready your resume and cover letter to target
Companies B and C. Explain that your research has uncovered growth in the industry (you DID remember your fieldwork, right?) and that you believe your areas of skill will help them meet business goals.

If the original firm you targeted ends up hiring the competitor’s staff, you’ll now be in first place for a shot at a
new job opening.

The bottom line? Rather than handing over all the power to employers, you CAN make progress on your search—becoming visible among the crowd and continuing to take positive action toward your goal.

Laura Smith-Proulx of An Expert Resume is an award-winning executive resume writer and former recruiter with a 98% interview-winning success rate opening doors through powerful personal branding. A certified Professional Resume Writer, Online Professional Networking Strategist, Career Management Coach, Interview Coach, 360 Reach Brand Analyst, Social Networking Career Strategist, and Microblogging Career Strategist, she is the author of "How to Get Hired Faster: 60+ Proven Tips & Resources to Access the Hidden Job Market."