Where People Help People Find Jobs
Applying for work
What are the major problems with applying for work in today's economy?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer D on -
So much negative talk about the economy its challenging to think positive.
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Permalink Reply by Diane Todd on -
With all the online resources for listing job openings, one of the biggest challenges I have encountered is knowing where to look! It's not as easy as looking in the newspaper classifieds anymore. Most of the job leads I have encountered in the past two years have come by word of mouth from people I know personally.
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Permalink Reply by Lewis J Peterman on
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All this internet posting is way too impersonal. Submit a resume or throw a penny into the fountain - same results.
If the employer has a position I qualify for, ask me to submit my contact info and a cover letter, then give me a brief belly to belly and let me provide my resume' in person. We can ask each other questions and decide if an official interview would be appropriate. You might find you like me better than "just the facts".
Word of mouth is always the best avenue, but that fails to work when you worked independently (a 1 person site).
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Permalink Reply by Darlene Walls on
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From my experience the major problem for myself is I worked my way up with experience and never had a degree. Now everyone even for a entry postion is requiring a degree.
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Permalink Reply by Peg Mitten on -
It seems not even the employment agencies (permanent or temp) want to see you in person. They just advise you to send in your resume and if anything comes up, they say they'll call you.
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Permalink Reply by Susan Young on -
Yes, it is certainly difficult to meet with a person. However, everyone tells me that it is the person who shows the extra initiative who gains the job. In 1980 (another job slump year), I applied for a job where they had hunderds of applicants for one position. I gently stopped by the office each day fornearly a month to ask if they had chosen their final candidate. Finally, the hiring official looked at me and said "Well, since you are here every day, we'll just hire you." I needed that job! and they KNEW I wanted it very badly - so ... never give up! Good Luck! Susan
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Permalink Reply by Susan Young on
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Darlene Walls said:From my experience the major problem for myself is I worked my way up with experience and never had a degree. Now everyone even for a entry postion is requiring a degree.
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Permalink Reply by Susan Young on
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Hi Darlene, Thank you for joining the discussion.... Experience is a crucial element when searching for a job. When you can say I have ___ years of EXPERIENCE and a confirmed WORK ETHIC...this can often outweigh a degree without experience. Address the issue in your cover letter: "Although many job postings are requiring a degree in this field... I have PROVEN results and will bring these talents to work for you (Then detail your results i.e. accomplished, earcned, improved etc...". Use your experieince as a wedge to pry open the door. Ask for the interview... then they can decide after meeting you and comparing you to the recent graduate. I think college is great! But, so is experience. Good Luck! Susan
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I have included my experience in my cover letter but I still do not get any responses.
Susan Young said:Hi Darlene, Thank you for joining the discussion.... Experience is a crucial element when searching for a job. When you can say I have ___ years of EXPERIENCE and a confirmed WORK ETHIC...this can often outweigh a degree without experience. Address the issue in your cover letter: "Although many job postings are requiring a degree in this field... I have PROVEN results and will bring these talents to work for you (Then detail your results i.e. accomplished, earcned, improved etc...". Use your experieince as a wedge to pry open the door. Ask for the interview... then they can decide after meeting you and comparing you to the recent graduate. I think college is great! But, so is experience. Good Luck! Susan
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Permalink Reply by Diane Todd on
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It's challenging to remember that the application process isn't finished just because an application has been submitted. Particularly in today's market with stiff competition and the "facelessness" of computer communications, follow-up on the phone or in-person is vital.
Always call after you send in the application and resume, ask to speak to the hiring manager, check to ensure your package was received, then call back (or stop in, if you're local) everyday until they tell you you're hired or the job has been filled.
None of the old rules for marketing yourself when applying for a job, have changed, they just APPEAR to have changed as the job market has shifted to the internet. It is still vitally important to be realized as a person to hiring entities, and that means there is much additional work to do even after applying for a job.
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A lot of the issues I am having is when you apply for a position on line most of the time they do not give you contact information,such as the company name or numbers to contact.
Diane Todd said:It's challenging to remember that the application process isn't finished just because an application has been submitted. Particularly in today's market with stiff competition and the "facelessness" of computer communications, follow-up on the phone or in-person is vital.
Always call after you send in the application and resume, ask to speak to the hiring manager, check to ensure your package was received, then call back (or stop in, if you're local) everyday until they tell you you're hired or the job has been filled.
None of the old rules for marketing yourself when applying for a job, have changed, they just APPEAR to have changed as the job market has shifted to the internet. It is still vitally important to be realized as a person to hiring entities, and that means there is much additional work to do even after applying for a job.
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Permalink Reply by Diane Todd on
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Sean McCaffrey posted the following on the Tips for Job Seekers forum and it seems to fit here as well. Thanks Sean!
There is no excuse for not being properly prepared. We are in an incredibly competitive environment where jobs are scarce and the available talent pool is incredibly deep. Less than 5% of all jobs are filled through online job boards. Over 80% of all jobs are NOT advertised. Casting your net out wide and being open to any opportunity is a common mistake. You are going to waste a lot of time competing for jobs you are not properly suited for. If you are lucky enough to get it, chances are that it will not be a good fit for you and you'll be miserable. Be specific in your target industry, company or position. Be proactive and contact leaders in the industry and request an informational interview. Identify job trends in that sector and determine who the players are that you need to interface with. You never know what kind of magic will happen when you interact with someone. If you are feeling frustrated, take a break. Surround yourself with whatever inspires you and then get back in the game with new found resolve. Good luck!
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