Your Job Search Sucks

Let me explain the typical job search.

UN-freakin’-believable.

This is the single worst method of looking for work that I can think of. It is far too random, competitive and limited. It takes more luck than skill and the job seeker usually winds up frustrated and settles for the first offer that comes along. This may have been the way to find work in the 80’s but this is no longer your mama’s job market. Employers operate under a whole new set of rules and they are not looking for a “plain vanilla” applicant. They are looking for a fresh new flavor.

Candidates answer generic help wanted ads placed on a multitude of job boards, joining a crowd of other potential job seekers looking at the same ad, becoming just another brick in the wall. Then they wonder why they are still looking for work.

Today’s job search is a much more targeted approach.

An applicant must investigate the company there are looking to work for, along with their hiring process. Becoming friendly with someone within the organization can help with having a “go to” person to contact with any questions and follow-up. I personally like to use the CEO as this go to. I will conduct my due diligence and send my resume directly to the CEO or other higher-up executive. They normally find my resume and send it to HR. Psychologically the HR person that receives it will give it a bit more attention and possible preference simply because it came from the CEO.

You DO NOT want to be doing another job search in six months, so use your head when searching for a job. Consider this an opportunity to find a job that will be around AND wants YOU around long term. The prep work you do when selecting your target employers will help you avoid the ones that will disappear and disappoint.