How to find a new Job (part 1)
The truth is that the job market actually has not been bad. Sure, I agree there was about a 3-6 month period back in 2009 that was genuially rough. If you were already in a job or knew of one through your personal network your odds were slim. However, since 2010 the market has been steadily adding jobs. Good jobs.
However, that tid bit of information if you have been looking for a job probably just makes you feel worse. That is not what I am here to do. I am here to help you navigate through a job market that has dramtically changed since the 90's, changed again in the early 2000's, and has pretty much changed (again) completely in the last 2 years. Assuming you are not a professional job seeker, you were caught off guard by these changes and perhaps unaware that they even occured or existed.
Here is how you find a job:
1) Through someone you know who can give you a credible referral into a company
2) By networking into a company to cultivate someone you know who can give you a credible referral into a company
3) By networking directly with a companies recruiter (assuming competant) to introduce you directly to the hiring manager.
4) By networking directly with the hiring manager PRIOR to the requirement being openned. This is hard to do and requires a bit of (insert fate, luck, blessing, etc) but is the most likely place to land a gig at a targeted company. Assuming the hiring manager likes you.
Before we get into ...oh was that it?! Yes... thats how you get hired. If you want to make above $50k per year, follow the above methods. Now, back to what I was saying prior to you interupting. Before we get into how to go about doing the above, lets talk about the basics of what not to do.
1) Dont apply online. Ever. Ever. Ever. ....Unless the hiring manager or recruiter asks you to do so AFTER giving you a phone interview of some sort and showing interest. If they do then, that is do to compliance and that is the only time you should apply online.
2) Job boards are fine, but make sure you have your resume set to confidential. Companies do not like job seekers. There I said it. They don't. If you are job seeker they view you as potentially broken asset. They want the guy that was sitting next to you at your old company that is still there. Yes I know he smelled and was annoying, but companies want candidates that are CURRENTLY employed. In almost all cases. So if you must post on a board, make sure your resume reads current. It does not matter what you are doing, make sure you are currently doing something. If you are not, don't post and go find SOMETHING to be currently doing. (I am about to contridict myself later in this series so take the last portion of that advice loosley)
3) IF you must for some compelling OCD reason apply to a company via its website, please do not apply to 15 different jobs. They can see you...its embarassing.
More to come on this topic later. If you have a question you can tweet me directly @jonahmanning (please excuse my frequent typos, ran out of time to edit)
