Job Woe

Re Post: The Deception of Career Search Websites

Now, you probably already started searching on Monster.com, career builder, indeed.com type of websites which is a good start, but even if you’ve spent countless hours here applying to 500 jobs, you’ve barely scratched the surface my friend. Many of these jobs are posted online only as a formality. Even if they are legitimate jobs you want to pursue, you have to do much more than simply apply online and hope that you are considered in a sea of millions.

For example, find the phone number of that company along with the address of the company’s headquarters and the name of an HR director and snail-mail to that person’s attention along with a handwritten note, power point presentation, resume & cover letter explaining that you are the right candidate for the job. All of this effort will surely grab that person’s attention.

You now have the right to call them on the phone, to ensure that they’ve received your materials- after all you spent time, efforts, and money mailing them. Hopefully you’ve snagged their attention.

If you know where the real jobs are, please stand up…
Did you know that a staggering 80% of jobs are ‘hidden.’ Yes, these positions are the ones the company is still working on, or has already identified an internal (or external) candidate. So, how are you supposed to find these jobs? Informational Interviews. There are two ways to get these. One by your network, because most managers will not just give you the time of day because you asked for it. Again, nothing personal, but they simply don’t have the time. However, if someone they know recommends you, or refers you—well, know they have an obligation. Secondly, if you have no contacts, make a list of companies that you’d love to work for, and snail mail your resume, cover letter, perhaps a powerpoint presentation, and a handwritten note to the HR manager’s attention. Then, call them up. Regardless of how you snag this interview, remember to treat it like a REAL interview. Set up an agenda, and be focused whether its via phone or in person. Research the company, and have a plan of attack. Typically, you should ask for no more than 15 min.

The Aftermath….
Well you probably think you’ve done most of the serious work to get that connection, but your relationship is not over yet. Follow up with thank-you emails, phone calls, and even personalized hand written thank you notes.

This seems like an awful lot of work doesn’t it? Well, there’s a reason they say job search is a full time job. However, taking these steps in searching for your job maximizes your chance of getting an interview and actually being on the right person’s ‘radar’ for consideration—which is so much more POWERFUL and empowering than simply tossing your resume to be lost in a sea of hundreds. And in the process, you will have made contacts, have a polished portfolio about yourself, and a sense of real accomplishment which rebuilds your that most important quality in your job search-self confidence

Here’s to your successful journey to employment!