Long ago when my dad entered the job market, things were tough. The country was in the midst of a depression and there weren’t many jobs available. It didn’t take long before he realized he needed to tap into family, friends and trusted professionals, in order to get his foot in the door and gain employment. He needed to network to stand out amongst the masses.
As time passed and I grew older, I soon found myself looking for employment as well. It was time for me to begin supporting myself and I needed to see what was available in the marketplace. So I ran to the corner gas station, picked up a copy of the local newspaper, circled a few jobs and sent my resume to 10 or 20 companies through snail mail. Since I had never met the recipients of my resumes, I did my best to highlight my work history and achievements in a concise single page, hoping to catch their attention.
Years went by and soon my kids needed a job. They searched the big job boards. Within minutes, they could copy and paste their resumes into the online submission portal, sometimes with only a simple change to the subject line. Off it went and within minutes they got an automated response from the HR department, thanking them for their patience as all the applicants were screened. It was a cold and impersonal way for them to get their personal information out there, but it was quick and efficient for them and the HR people.
Come into the present and we find we’ve come full circle. As in the days of my dad’s job search, jobs are few, times are tough, and we find that one of the best ways to land a job may be through a “connection.” So I thought we’d put together a few ideas that might help you with your own job search. Things that may help you get “connected.”
Know your target company. Research them, friend them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter. I know this sounds weird, but if you get to meet this special person (HR rep or company rep), you might want to treat it like a first date. Listen intently, show an interest, bring your best attributes to the table and, most importantly, know something about them so you can talk about them too. Make a connection.
Set up a LinkedIn page and make sure it’s up to date. This way you’re linked or can become connected. Plus, once set up, recruiters can find you too. (Yes, we search LinkedIn to stay on top of our industries and follow talent. We also use it to research you. And you can research us too!) Use LinkedIn for networking purposes, joining groups and organizations, and positioning yourself as an expert on a certain topic. Answer group questions and participate in discussions. Again, get connected.
And, if possible, set up a website for yourself. Include samples of your work, creative pieces and writing, as it pertains to your profession. When you write or talk with a recruiter, include your link. It’s another way to be connected. Remember, HR people and recruiters are digital creatures too. We’re out there sharing your social space, looking for a few good people.
4 Responses to “The Job Search Has Come Full Circle”
Posted on Oct 13, 2009 by Tim Katt
So what happens when you go out there and do all of those things, but to no avail? I couldn’t agree more with you Joyce about the fact that a lot of it has to do with who you know and the connections you make. I’ve even set up a few interviews through Twitter because the company reps weren’t responding to my phone calls or email!
I think it’s important not to get discouraged and to keep in mind that you should always be working on something relevant to what you want to do, regardless of whether that means an unpaid internship or simply blogging and commenting on your desired field of work.
Do you tend to target potential candidates that have a wide array of experiences or people that are more direct and focused on a certain career path? I try my best to stay flexible, but sometimes fear the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I’m interested to hear what you have to say on this topic.
Tim Katt
http://www.hiretimkatt.com
twitter.com/youngkatt
Posted on Oct 16, 2009 by jobrien
Tim, thanks for the shout back. We’re starting to see a slight trend toward the positive in our field, so continue to push forward and stay positive. We’re also strong believers in internships and people getting involved with partners in your desired field, as you so wisely mention. At Laughlin Constable, we target candidates that have specific backgrounds, skills or experiences. People that match up to a defined job description. So when you’re putting your resume or site together (ex: Linkedin profile), use keywords as much as possible. If you are a web developer, you might include words such as .Net, Java, developer, application, advertising, consumer, website and web in your profile. It also helps to include your desired location by using a phrase like, “seek Milwaukee” or “Chicago application developer”, since many recruiters need to match candidates to a location without a lot of relocation costs. Feel free to stay connected with us and we’ll gladly help you through your journey. We are listing a broadcast internship today or Monday, … might be worth a look.
Posted on Oct 26, 2009 by Tim Katt
Thanks for the heads up on the broadcast internship. I am actually currently doing a broadcast internship with the Detroit Lions and would be looking for something full time, but I will continue to try and use keywords and be a little bit more specific in terms of location.
Truth is as much I’d love to return home to Milwaukee or close by in Chicago, I am really open to going anywhere if it’s for the right position. Even if that means paying what it costs to relocate. Just need to continue to stay positive and keep my eyes and ears open. I’ll make sure to stay in touch, thanks for the advice.
Tim Katt
http://www.hiretimkatt.com
twitter.com/youngkatt
Posted on Oct 29, 2009 by Michael Tischer
I can speak, at a broad level, regarding Laughlin’s belief in matching people to roles based on the individual’s drive, interest and skills rather than what is simply conveyed on paper. I feel strongly that more companies would benefit from operating under this mindset. The trouble many face is: how can a company learn more about you beyond just your career? We, now more than ever, have the means to make this happen. As noted in your post Joyce, the inefficiencies of simple copy-paste-click job application can be overcome by making the connection more personal. I am a huge proponent of online social networking, and at the same time a bit classical in my preference to speak with people face to face versus other means. So why not connect the very effective social networking tools with this classical tactic of networking based on people skills. The benefits of having knowledge of social media combined with people skills will suit anyone, regardless of industry. Even if an individual’s people skills are not well refined, they can still benefit by sharing more about their passions and personality via LinkedIn and Twitter. It is frequent that I see someone in person who references a recent post I made on Twitter. These two facets – being face-to-face and social media interaction – are certainly not segregated.
It is a challenge for all of us, regardless of age, to hone in on our skills and determine what we are best at; and the type of role we belong in. Many of us are perpetually seeking an answer to this question; while some are fortunate enough to have made this discovery early on. However, the responsibility should not solely be placed on the individual. The role of business, as it was originally intended, was to provide a service that would benefit the citizens it served, not to make money. A bold comment indeed, but an author who has influenced my view of business greatly, Paul Hawken, is a proponent. With this in mind, we as citizens have faith that businesses will put forth their best efforts in properly attempting to align individuals where they are best suited. Because the truth is, despite our efforts to excel, we as individuals don’t always know where that may be.