Don't waste your time applying for jobs online!
Did you know that most job openings in a company are filled without ever being posted?!! Do NOT waste all of your valuable and precious time sending resumes into Monster or calling HR and sending them there. They will forever be lost! The quickest and most effective way to get a job interview is to talk to the decision maker, the individual that could hire you. Many times, a hiring manager may be thinking of hiring someone with your skill set, but has not yet made the decision to hire. Ok, you say, how in the heck do I do that??! Here's how:
Call into a company and just ask who heads up the particular department you are interested in. Sometimes they will give you their name and connect you right away. You can also do some research online (i.e. places like www.hoovers.com or LinkedIn). You can usually get this figured out without too much trouble. Then, contact them by phone or email and say something like “Hi, Joe! My name is Erika. I am a Project Manager, and I have a skill set that includes __ (a degree, X number of years of experience, etc. Include a couple of things that highlight what you offer an employer. Keep it brief though - No more than 30 seconds max.) Can you use someone like me on your team?” and then see what they say. You can also ask who they might know that could use someone with your skill set. You will be surprised by the wealth of valuable information you will receive if you just ask. Also, be sure to send a copy of your resume.
I have worked many years as a recruiter and have also seen this first hand in my own career. If all you do is send out a bunch of resumes online and wait for companies to call you back, you will be frustrated by the results (or lack thereof). You will have a lot more success by reaching out personally to decision makers and becoming your own best resource. Just try it! What do you have to lose?
I have to say you are right.
I've been doing the online stuff for 2 years and I'm getting nowhere.
no one single response. I've had 3 separate people go over my resume just to see if it was terrible or something.
I went to 5 places and physically handed them my resume. of those 5, 3 called me for a interview.
3 of those I was offered a job.
online, I've sent out over 50. 0 contacted me.
Reply to this
The problem is for the line of work I am applying for, all of the companies require you to complete an on-line resume, and it is hard to find connections. I've looked up and gone in person to some of these places (none of the places I would need to go to are in my city), driving up to 3 hours, but in most cases they are like doctor's offices with a window. Even getting a name doesn't help- you've GOT to meet in person with someone. The only interview I've had in 6 months was because the person at the window was "on break" (non-existent-saying "I'll be back at ___ time." the first 3 times I stopped by, and the 4th time I just banged on the side door and was able to talk to someone. After doing all the right things, sending thank you letters, driving an hour and a half to the regional office to meet as many people as I could, the recruiter set me up for an interview for the wrong f****** job!!!! I found this out afterward in an e-mail by the same recruiter. Um, I didn't apply for this. Now it is a mess. I'm intelligent, personable, educated- finding a job after I left my previous one in San Diego (just could not afford it), has been the most arduous and frustrating task of my life.
Reply to this
David - I am so sorry to hear that. Have you tried joining local or online professional organizations, reached out to the people you know, or talked to family members to see if they know anyone in your industry? That's generally a better way to go then driving hours to meet with people that you don't already know. Hope this helps - I wish you all the best.
Reply to this
Thanks for your response. To be a realist, where I live in NC is basically a dead market. Honestly, the only reason I was able to get my last position in the legal field was because I went for post graduate work to a school in San Diego, and the university had alot of contacts there who hooked me up with my old firm. Even though I did well at that position, the cost of living was too high and my living situation was completely uncomfortable (225 sq foot apartment), so after awhile I couldn't stand it anymore, and I moved to where I am now to reassess. Yes, my father is in a position to help me with contacts, yet just isn't that type of Dad, and never has been. He just does not like mixing his work situation with things with his family ( as if I'm not a clean cut, personable, intelligent, drug free kid), even though "HELLO" contacts are how you get jobs. Anyway, I am meeting next week with a guy I have been e-mailing whom my parents met at a wedding. Of course, I had to look up his e-mail address, initiate discussion, and he has been nice enough to stay in contact with me. He's actually offered better advice than my father. I'm going to DC next week with my Dad (he has an office there), and meeting with the wedding guy for lunch. He knows how much work I have put in, and am hoping that when I ask for who he would recommend I get in touch with that he knows, he will give me names. I also plan to brave the snow and foot canvass a selected group of firms in downtown DC. I've already got the cover letter and resumes (on good, quality paper) ready and found some names, so it's just going there in a suit and following up.
Reply to this
I believe this is true. I have applied for many jobs online only to never recieve a phone call or a response back from a represenative. This best approach is going in and asking if there hiring and then letting them know that you will be applying there on the spot so then they are waiting on you to see your resume and application.
Reply to this
Agreed! Another great way to get into a company is to use tools like LinkedIn to see who in your network knows someone at that company, and then ask for an introduction. A personal contact at a company will go a lot further than sending in a resume blind.
Reply to this
I went looking for another job on monday and asked if they were hiring and I asked to speak to someone from management. After our talk about the job requirements and expectations I applied and landed a spot in there administration dept. This was to easy it was the first place I looked and all I had to do was ask and see what was being offered and expected.
Reply to this
Good for you! Best of luck in your new endeavor.
Reply to this