As Executive Search Consultants, we are tasked by our client companies to provide talent for positions that they are having difficulty in filling. Our job entails a great deal of research and consultative effort to find the right match for our clients.
We’re also frequently contacted by job seekers looking for opportunities, and while we’re always happy to hear from talented people, by necessity our time and energy is primarily focused on our clients’ needs. In an effort to help job seekers, we’ve come up with a short list of (hopefully helpful) tips that may assist maximize their own efforts to find a great role.
Here are some additional thoughts regarding your job search…
#7 – Avoid online job postings as much as possible
Online job posting systems, whether on an employer’s website or on sites like Linked In, Monster and Career Builder ostensibly make job hunting quick, easy and convenient for both employer and applicant. And as a job seeker, it seems to make sense to cover as much ground as you can in your pursuit of a position. But in reality online job posting systems don’t serve either the employer or the job seeker very well.
For an employer seeking a specific talent it usually means combing through hundreds of resumes/mounds of information only to find more often than not that their ideal talent is not among their applicants. For job seekers it means having your information/resume placed in a large database where it may get lost. As mentioned above, doing your research on the company can allow you to ascertain exactly with whom to speak about the role in question and potentially develop a more direct/personal communication than with an impersonal computer database. Take the extra time to do the research on a good opportunity because it is best to…
#8 – Avoid the “shotgun” approach and focus on companies where you can make an impact
This one is especially important. Your time, as well as the employers’, is limited. Rather than submitting your resume to hundreds of impersonal online job postings , you’ll be much more effective in targeting 10-20 companies for whom you’d like to work / where your skills and experiences will be most valued and then trying to introduce yourself and build relationships with key hiring managers and personnel. By establishing a dialog with your target companies, if and when an appropriate role becomes open you’ll set yourself apart from the rest of the applicant pool. This also potentially allows you to tap into the “hidden job market” where employers are evaluating their needs but not quite ready to post or make public a particular opening. If they find they need someone with your skills and experience and you’ve established a cordial online relationship with them, they’ll be much more inclined to contact you directly when need arises.
And while large companies with high name recognition and established employer brands may immediately draw your attention, remember that there are hundreds of small and mid-sized companies that may be looking for someone with your qualifications. There are online resources like Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to work for as well as Great Place to Work and Glassdoor’s employee reviews which can help you assemble your list based on your location and expertise, and of course your network of contacts can be immensely helpful as well.