I'm sure many of you reading this blog are like me....unhappy with your current work situation or looking for work.
The thing that amazes me is process of finding work. Companies put up now hiring signs, but tell people to apply online. Career fairs are held to meet face to face, but people are told to apply online. When you do go to apply online many of the systems have filters that don't allow people with great experience and backgrounds to have the slimmest chance of an interview.
I often ask myself the question do employers really want any employees at all?
I've been "hunting" for "REAL" employment for almost two years now. I've followed all of the "rules" to job hunting, but haven't caught my trophy yet. To be honest, I haven't seen much that I would consider a trophy.
I definitely understand that this is a "Employers Market." They can pick and choose whom ever they want. I heard a report the other day that there are 12 people available for ever single job offered. I talked to my tax guy the other day and he told me how over 100 people applied for the part-time office assistant position he posted on a internet site. That number doesn't seem to amazing until I tell you over a hundred applied in just over two hours.
It's not possible for anyone to read through all of the resumes to find the perfect candidate, but how are you supposed to stand out? A good friend of mine is right, the internet is killing job hunting. It limits people being able to stand out amongst the crowd. You can't do everything in this world face to face, but it can''t all be computer to computer.
I applied several times for a management position at a retailer. I never got a call or an e-mail. Then I applied on a PAPER application for a cashiers position and got an interview and job. Several weeks into the job, I have a talk with the District Manager(DM). The DM learns about my background and asks would I be interested in applying for a position with the company. I explained that I had applied several times before. There response was, they never saw anything on me. Pretty amazing that I applied through the companies website and a job hunt website a never made it through the filter.
With the thousands and millions of people applying for jobs daily, you never know what a person or company is looking for. You may put Leadership on your resume, but the filter on their computer may be looking for the word Management and vice versa.
With all the barriers put up by companies, you wonder do they really want quality people at all, or are they just too lazy to look? Yes there has to be a process to weed out the good from the bad, but there has to be a better way. And just because someone may seem over qualified doesn't mean they're going to jump ship or won't stay around long. People apply for jobs for a reason. Find out why before you just throw their name into a pile.
I don't have any hardcore advice for those of you reading this blog. I'll just tell you this, do what you can to standout. Let employers know who you are. There are no rules! I was helping a friend with their resume and while doing research on the perfect style for them, I found two interesting sites. One website, gave a top ten list of everything you should have on your resume. The other site had a top ten list of everything not to have on your resume. The lists were the same.
That, just goes to show you, that you don't know what people and companies are looking for.
So when you're looking for a job, I suggest the following:
#1 Read your resume and have other people read your resume. Ask this simple question, "Does
my resume tell you who I am? Is it a bunch of words or do you truly understand who I am
and what I can do for you?" If you let people who truly know you proof your resume, they will
let you know the answer to the question.
#2 Get Personal. Everyone is sending letters to "Whom it may Concern" or the "Director of
Human Resources." Do what you can to find out who is really doing the hiring. Mail or
E-mail that person directly.
#3 Talk to your friends or people you know. The world has become more and more about "Who
you Know" versus what you know. There is nothing wrong with talking to someone you know
about helping you get an interview or at least a reference. Once you get the interview it's all up
to you, but you have to get the interview first so, do what you can to get it!
#4 The job hunting sites are full of SCAMS! If you're looking for work on Monster, Craiglists,
Careerbuilder, etc., be careful! A lot of heartless people are preying on out of work people, so
if you see something to good to be true, it probably is. Anytime you worry, just type in the
company name and scam into a internet search to see what results you get.
#5 Finally make a list of companies or products that you like and look to see if they are hiring. A
lot of companies don't post jobs on search sites. They post them on their on webpages.
Good Luck Everyone! If you find any work for me, let me know! Or when you get a good job, contact me to come motivate your staff and co-workers!
Frank
