Tell me about your latest job search

I should also add that I'm not drastically unqualified for most of the positions to which I'm applying. I probably meet 30-50% of the criteria on the job description.

But that's also why I'm trying to network. I think that it's important for me to get in front of people and show them eagerness and aptitude.

bump

JobSeeker wrote:

1) How long did you spend in your last job search.

2) What were some effective job search strategies that you used?

3) How did you secure your current position? (i.e. Applying blindly online, or through a connection)

4) Advice for securing employment when underqualified.

Just got hired and start soon for a new job. It's not a promotion in salary but the duties will be much more involved and require a lot more.

1) I put in for just a few jobs this year, about 7, I got 2 interviews, 3 flat out rejections (not even making the first cut), and a a couple are still "pending" (months later). I was not desperate for a change, but didn't want to wait a couple more years and be in a position where I would be.

2) I am a "specialist" in that it takes years of education and work to be considered for a job like I'm in. It's not the glamour work in my field, but stuff that has to get done (managing and documenting procedures that are required by law). I've been doing this kind of work for a decade, plus a good educational background, and some other things like being familiar with the location and such (important for this type of work). The rejects were similar work but outside my organization, they wanted to hire from within. The job I got was from within my organization, and the one I got the otheer interview was for an organization that I'd worked with for a few years.

On paper I'm a good fit for this job. We will see how it all works out.

3) I applied online, screened through my speciality, and then I chose the level of work I wished to consider. That narrowed the search to a few openings a month. And I started putting in for jobs in locations I would consider moving to.

4) As one who has been turned down for jobs in which I've been well-qualified (see above) and vastly overqualified, I have found that being underqualified a tough one. Other than my first professional job, I've usually been a well-qualified applicant, sometimes lacking certain specific skills but overall education and experience above and beyond what most would expect. But in my field it's always been an employers market, so they can narrow the pool down pretty easily.

If you are lacking the skills then you need to go out of your way to gain those. Either through your work or outside. Ask around your organization and look for a mentor who might be able to help you learn some basics in those areas. That will be to your benefit for internal or external networking. And it will make your job more interesting. Otherwise, find outside ways to get that experience (volunteering or through courses at univeristies or community colleges).

This sounds like the perfect example of a very narrowly tailored job search-

Someone who has a clearly defined idea of what they want to do and the specific qualifications to do it. I think this puts the candidate in a much better position to show the employer how they can meet the employer's needs.

Because my job satisfaction is so low, there are many positions that I would accept. The problem with taking such a broad approach is that I can't apply to a company and specifically hit the majority of their criteria.

Being a "generalist" doesn't work when there are so many applicants that a company can choose a specialist.

1. 3 years and counting

2. None that I know of

3. Currently Unemployed

4. None

What I was saying is look at the type of job that you'd like to do and seek ways to get training and experience so you can apply for those jobs and have a better chance at getting in.

After 10 years of mid management at the same company and being downsized due to the "economy" (this is in a town of 80k population so it's a little hard to find descent jobs):

1. I searched for comparable work for two years.

2. None were effective as I was never hired (I do have a misdemeanor on my record and was told many times that is why I was not hired - it's expunged now but not when I was looking). Word of mouth would be my suggestion. Friends, family, etc. all putting in a good word for you to the hiring manager is the only way I have ever gotten a job worth more than 2 times minimum wage.

3. I started my own company in an industry that is no where near my past experience and no education for after I realized that I'd never be able to get work for the same pay I was getting before.

4. Advice? Start your own company. Best thing I ever did and wish I had done it straight out of college. I'm thankful I was downsized and unemployable as I would have never started my own company without that push.

Side note: I currently make 1.5 times what I made as a mid level manager for a mid sized company but I only work 15 to 20 hours a week and take a 3 month sabbatical during the winter to live in Hawaii which is where my wife is from rather than the 50 I used to. I could make more money by putting in more time but I'd rather spend time with my family; fishing and traveling. Life was okay working for someone else... life is GREAT working for yourself.

Found a job wrote:

What I was saying is look at the type of job that you'd like to do and seek ways to get training and experience so you can apply for those jobs and have a better chance at getting in.

I think you're right, although easier said than done. Part of my struggle is coming up with a clearly defined idea of the job I want. I'm currently working as an attorney in a very niche area of the law. It's somewhat pigeon-holed me into this area, and I'm having difficulty moving into other legal industries.

I was admiring you for having such a distinct idea of what job you want and what it takes to get there.

I was working on a team at a mega software company a Vendor a.k.a "Orange Badge" a.k.a. "Contingent Staff" for about 6 months. What a joke that was! It amazes me that some people do that permatemp nonsense for years. I took an extended lunch break during which I interviewed for another job. When they gave me an offer, I quit my job at the end of the day; no 2 weeks' notice.

Last time I searched for a job? I opened the newspaper, found an add for a job, and sent off a resume. They called me a few days later, I went in, interviewed, got the job.

18 years ago.

JobSeeker wrote:

2) What were some effective job search strategies that you used?

Shotgun approach. Go onto Indeed and filter your job search by words that are relevant to the position title and duties. Spend a couple seconds scanning each listing; if you think you have the slightest chance of getting the listed job, then sprint through the application and move on to the next listing. Do the same on CraigsList and LinkedIn. There's no point in using CareerBuilder or SimplyHired, because everything on those sites is already on Indeed.

These days there are literally hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applicants for every good position that is being offered up. No point in spending hours customizing your application, complete with a cover letter, if it's very likely to get sucked into the application worm hole. I spent an hour on an application for IBM and was auto-rejected within 15 minutes. I spent an hour on an application for Nintendo and never heard back. I stopped applying anywhere that has a length application (especially if it was one where you have to populate fields with info that is already on your resume).

jamin wrote:

Shotgun approach. ... No point in spending hours customizing your application, complete with a cover letter, if it's very likely to get sucked into the application worm hole.

I hire people, though I'm not in HR. And, I work for a smaller company, under 100 people. Not some major corporation. So this may be different, but I absolutely detest the shotgun approach. I can smell those applicants a mile away with their vague resume, cover letter, and often they have some stated goals or skills that have nothing to do with the job they are applying for...

That crap never gets looked at. Straight up delete.

Send me a cover letter that actually mentions something about my organization and how your skills fit, and I might keep reading. With hundreds of applicants why would I want to talk to someone who does the absolute minimum?

Ole Timer wrote:

I hire people, though I'm not in HR. And, I work for a smaller company, under 100 people. Not some major corporation. So this may be different, but I absolutely detest the shotgun approach. I can smell those applicants a mile away with their vague resume, cover letter, and often they have some stated goals or skills that have nothing to do with the job they are applying for...

That crap never gets looked at. Straight up delete.

Send me a cover letter that actually mentions something about my organization and how your skills fit, and I might keep reading. With hundreds of applicants why would I want to talk to someone who does the absolute minimum?

I think you're on point about the ineffectiveness of the "shotgun approach". It seems like the chances are much high when there's a meaningful cover letter that establishes a connection between the applicant and employer. Something that shows that the applicant is passionate about the company and can bring value to the position.

However, I think this strategy still needs to be coupled with networking. Establishing some connections within the company and build relationships with current employees. Getting referrals, informational interviews, things that will make the applicant more than just a name on a piece of paper.

Ah the shotgun approach, also known as \"spray and pray\"

JobSeeker wrote:

1) How long did you spend in your last job search.

2) What were some effective job search strategies that you used?

3) How did you secure your current position? (i.e. Applying blindly online, or through a connection)

4) Advice for securing employment when underqualified.

About to move jobs for the first time in 17 years, but I don't have any advice for your situation other than to keep looking and try to make yourself stand out. A friend of mine back in the 90's had his resume made up to look like a 45 record single. He stood out !!

But in answer to your questions ;

1) I was approached by a recruiter on linkedin, so I guess zero;

2) n/a but there are recruiters out there looking for people. There are thousands and thousands of hard-to-fill roles out there - the entire recruitment industry is predicated on this;

3) approached on linkedin, interesting job, interesting part of the world to work in, phone screening interview lasting less than 30 mins, a day on another continent undergoing assessment and the offer came a few days later;

4) I do recruitment and I'd never go into a job situation thinking you're underqualified. It's all about showing what you can do and how motivated you are for work in general and that role in particular.