“In job search, personal contact is key” plus 1 more |
| In job search, personal contact is key Posted: 24 Jan 2011 10:39 AM PST Unemployment remains high. Millions of mid-career workers continue in a long-term job search. Yet employer surveys reveal "trouble" filling job openings. What gives? There's a disconnect between what employers seek and who the job hunters are. Employers, particularly in large companies, typically want perfect candidates to fill niche jobs. They want experienced (but not expensive) talent who are techno-savvy, flexible, energetic and ready to do specialized work. Given the applicant screening systems in many large organizations, it's hard for mature applicants to make a case that their skills are adaptable and, most important, current. Older workers have to convince hirers that they're willing, if not eager, to work for less money and that they're fine with downscaling their titles or responsibilities. Because that's not easy, these two job-hunting tips need to be sent again and again: • People you know — not formal application processes — provide your best chance for re-employment. • Small and midsize employers are likely to be more receptive to hiring you. Any job posting you find is going to be found by hundreds, if not thousands, of other applicants. Your application needs an advocate to pluck it from the pile. You need to go to association meetings, use LinkedIn and send e-mails to former co-workers and other people you know to let them know the nature of your job search. Through personal contacts, you're more likely to learn about opportunities in small and midsize companies. They may not have the Web presence or name recognition of big firms. They don't staff tables at job fairs. But they have hiring needs. And because there aren't as many job definitions in small organizations, they're more likely to want workers who have broader experience and a mature work ethic. Bottom line: Personal contact is likely to be more productive than sending out resumes or filling in application blanks. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Posted: 24 Jan 2011 04:43 AM PST By TORY JOHNSON Jan. 24. 2011 The hottest lead in your job search can be found in the palm of your hand: it's your cell phone. You may be able to find out about the latest openings -- no matter where you are, as employers ramp up efforts in mobile recruitment to connect with prospective job seekers on the go. Large employers know we're a nation on the move -- glued to our mobile devices -- so they're now meeting us where we are through these initiatives. QR CODES: You've likely seen QR (quick response) codes in magazine ads that target consumers. They're barcode-like squares that, when scanned with the camera found on most mobile devices, will reveal a coupon or special offer on a brand's mobile website. Now employers are getting in on the action by using QR codes to engage job seekers too. Accounting giant Ernst & Young is launching a campaign in February targeting college campuses for its entry-level hiring. A unique QR code featured on campus posters and tabletop displays enables students to access a special area on the Ernst & Young website to take a short quiz that assesses knowledge of the firm. Job seekers are also prompted to sign up for optional text alerts to learn more about what's happening with hiring at Ernst & Young. TEXT ALERTS: Chances are strong that if you've signed up for job alerts via e-mail from any of the big job boards, you've received plenty of listings that aren't relevant to your interests. Additionally, there's also a very good possibility that you've missed some decent leads simply because you didn't open all of your e-mail. Since the average open rate for marketing emails hovers around 20 percent, many employers are embracing another method of delivery: mobile text messages, where the open rates are as high as 98 percent. On the careers section of AT&T's website, anyone can sign up to join the company's Talent Network to receive hot job leads via text message based on location and job type. So far more than 700,000 people have opted in. When there's an immediate opening, this is among the first stops for AT&T's outreach efforts to alert prospective applicants. This offers greater accuracy and timeliness than many third party alerts can provide. Visit the websites of the large organizations you're eyeing for openings, and see if there's an option to sign up for text alerts on job leads that match your needs. You won't be able to apply through your mobile device, but the alert will prompt you to go online to submit a resume when a strong posting catches your attention. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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