The job search landscape has changed tremendously in recent years. The electronic age has led to information overload for both the job seeker and the employer. Here are five old-fashioned, or just plain wrong, job-search techniques to avoid if you want to improve your chances of getting hired.
1. Mailing your resume to an employer.
It might work with some hiring managers or recruiters in smaller companies. But in this electronic age it may just end up in the trash. How does a recruiter distribute the resume to others in the office? Or enter it into the company’s applicant tracking system? Sure they can scan it, but don’t make the employers’ job more difficult.
2. Spamming contacts with unsolicited resumes or applying for every job you see online.
Spamming is not an effective networking tool. Nor is applying for 30 jobs a day, just because it’s easy. The beauty of the digital age is that you can send information to a wide audience very quickly. But you need to tailor each resume and cover letter you send. You have to research the company offering the position for appropriate culture and fit. Determine whether you know anyone who works at the company that could refer you. If you’re really doing your job search properly, it’s physically impossible to apply for 30 jobs a day. Or even 20.
3. Stopping your job search during the height of summer or during the holidays.
This may be the prime time for you to find a job. Because so much of your competition is thinking the same thing – no one is hiring now – this could give you an advantage. Employers who are eager to fill a position may actually have more time available during these periods to review resumes and schedule interviews. This is a time to rev up your search, not slow it down.
4. Assuming that the only jobs are the ones that are posted.
Opportunity can be found most anywhere. The perfect job for your skill set may be working its way through a bureaucratic process as you read this. Follow up on every lead, option and networking opportunity, even if there isn’t a job posted. You want to find a job, or at the least find out about it, before it’s posted. Networking is the number one way to find a job, so if you’re only networking once you see a job posted, you’re making a mistake.
5. Relying on just one technique to find a job.
The days of cracking open the Sunday paper to review the jobs section are long gone. You’re faced with a multitude of options now for your job search. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and even Google+, in addition to company sites, job boards and professional organizations. It’s an information overload, but try several of these strategies including LinkedIn, job boards and professional organizations at a minimum.
Any other old-fashioned techniques you think job seekers should be avoiding?
This is great advice Kathleen! Number four in particular was of interest to me. Networking goes a long way for finding positions. Some times a company might even have a need for you, but they don’t quite know it yet.
On #4, a buddy of mine just shared a story of how he applied for a position and didn’t get it…but they said, “But how about this one?” (which wasn’t advertised). He’s pretty close to nailing that one down…
Participants in our “Rock Your Resume” program are learning that #2 is critical…in fact, it may be the most important thing a Federal job seeker can do – – tailor to the announcement.
I agree with your comments. According, to Richard N. Bolles in his bbok, “The Job-Hunter’s Survival Guide,” sending resumes for job posted on the Web is one of the least successful ways to get a job. Anyone looking for a job should read Bolles books. His other book, “What Color is Your Parachute.” also has good searching tips. Many job openings are not posted on the Internet. The hidden job maket where people finds jobs through networking is a good way to find a job. dlj