Had a typical conversation with a woman who is unemployed. Depressed. Anxious. She complained about the horrible hiring process within corporate America.
And of course I have a ton of empathy. It’s tough to disagree. I’ve written about the candidate experience quite extensively.
We started talking about the specifics of her job search, which consist of
- connecting with people on LinkedIn,
- sending resumes,
- posting for jobs on job boards and career websites,
- and never hearing back from the HR department.
Can’t disagree that her experience sucks. Welcome to looking for a job in 2010 where there are more candidates than opportunities. As I’ve been saying for ages, you are competing against the unemployed, the underemployed, and those who are generally pissed off.
It’s depressing.
When I suggested that maybe she’s doing it wrong — and that maybe a little time away from the computer might help her job search — she was offended because all the experts tell you that you have to be active on social media websites to get a job and the last job I got was through CareerBuilder and that’s how people get hired in my industry.
Schwoo. Okay.
If that’s what you think, have fun with your late nights at the computer and your Vitamin D deficiency because you are not going back to work.
While you might get a job from Twitter, you’re more likely to find a job by being active in the world and seeking out new opportunities.
Is it a virtual world? Yes. Are you Tron? No.
If you work in an industry where there are offices and cubicles, you need to go find the people who work in those offices and cubicles and interact with them.
Some ways to start thinking about a new version of your job search.
- Do you have a list of target companies? No? Go make that list.
- What charitable organizations do those companies support? Go volunteer there.
- Where do those executives send their kids to school? Go apply for a job at that school.
- Where do the employees worship? Get involved in that religious institution.
- What vendors does your target company use? Go apply there.
This whole exercise is meant for you to network, connect with someone in real life, and find a champion who can advocate on your behalf.
Social media offers the tools and resources to learn about opportunities, but real people make real hiring decisions. In a world of new media, the old school ways of networking still apply.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
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Laurie, great advice, and here’s another reason why you have to go beyond social media to network: it gives you the best opportunity to differentiate yourself. I love social media, it’s revolutionizing communication, which is awesome, but it’s also generating unprecedented amounts of “white noise” in the employment space. At the operating/receiving end of social media (and the job boards for that matter) are people. People who are inundated with information from potential candidates. The sheer volume of the “chatter” means that no matter how amazingly you believe you are differentiating yourself, the message get’s diluted within the mass of messages. It’s like asking me to tell you which snowflake stands out in a blizzard.
Now on the other hand, network with me one on one, by meeting me at a function, or being introduced through a friend, co-worker, or vendor, and you’ll have an opportunity to pitch yourself to me that cuts through the white noise, because at that moment, you have my undivided attention and you can react real time to with me. That’s a true competitive advantage.
10 minutes of personal interaction and networking is worth at least 10 hours of face time with your computer monitor.
Good point — but no, I’m the Gary Vee/Chris Brogan/Penelope Trunk/Brian Solis of HR.
j/k
I love those peeps but I’m not like any of them. And that’s okay, right?
Referencing TRON = awesome!
LOL!
Excellent list, Laurie. I’ll add one more: When I was out of work a couple of years ago (as a 25+ year HR veteran), I took a job working the counter at a dry cleaners. A fair number of well-connected executives in town were regular customers. It’s amazing what a little good customer service can do to build a relationship that you can capitalize on later. Puf is correct: personal time is so much more valuable than virtual time, even if it’s not talking specifically about career opportunities. So I would recommend to anyone out there to try a retail job where people of influence in your chosen industry/occupation do business.
I love this. Mostly I love it because you took a job. That’s a step that some people can’t do…
One thing I think is left out of the social media love fest is community, and not that social media can’t create or help sustain community, BUT we all live in a community and usually more than one community, and very likely somewhere within one of those is someone that is looking to hire qualified workers. I live in a neighborhood in a town in a county and region that is ripe with opportunity to interact with real people in real time. I have politicians that want to hear from constituents. There are churches every damn where and a volunteer organization for every thing. And in every one of those potential interactions is someone struggling with the very question I have right now… What the hell am I going to do when my assistant doesn’t want to work anymore? How the hell am I going to find someone I trust to help with this project or this weakness? It’s hard to envision anyone in that position because they’re in the stack of 250 resumes that came through the online posting.
We just hired an HR Manager, — and during the interview process, I honestly felt like I was getting ready for a series of first dates. This was going to be the person I work with closest during the largest portion of my days. When we face it that hiring someone leaves a manager vulnerable to the unknown, that stack of resumes is intimidating. We don’t want to hire a perfectly worded resume or a witty twitterer –although both help — we want to hire a person.
I love that you want to hire a person. It’s pathetic when we try to quantify the hiring process and we look at a candidate’s twitter followers, blog stats, etc. That bugs me.
(And sorry I didn’t post for your job.
)
Hi L,
been off the grid as i was sick for a while (getting better).
First I don’t know what makes anyone an “expert” in getting a job…everyone is a critic and being an expert is defined as doing something 3 times…so much for experts (in reality the best advice are from people who just went thru the experience and are now gainfully employed).
Second, your right about all the negatives in the job search…every point is true including HR not closing the loop. Rather then me defend my staff for not getting back to every candidate (believe me they do better then most) lets take it from a different perspective…do everything the pundants say, and then one up your conversation by pressing flesh in every networking opportunity possible…and don’t be afraid to make a couple of comprimises in the short term. Having health insurance and a paycheck is more tangable then keeping your “pride” intact. Its easier to climb a latter when your on it already then trying to jump out of quick sand to get on the first step…Who said “action speaks louder then words”? If your on the sidelines get on the field even if its just for special teams…(ok I know you hate sports analogies but needed to slip that one in)…
M
Oh no! Hope you are feeling better. Schwoo. And your sports analogies are fine because you are whip smart on this stuff. No worries.
Laurie~
AWESOME advice! Nothing beats good old fashion “Who do you know” besides their profile on LI!
Out of work single mother re-entering the workforce in Charlotte, NC + daytime bartender at busy restaurant = 2 job offers in 6 months. Became Staffing Manager for Recruiting Firm. relo’d me to Houston
Busy Staffing Manager turned Selling Branch Manager (hated it) + amazing relationships with HR clients = job offer from client as Corporate Recruiting Manager/Talent Management. I have been here the last 2 1/2 years.
*disclaimer* I know I am the exception, not the norm.
Great opportunities are out there everywhere. It is just a matter of how hard you want to look for them. Rememebr, you are always “interviewing”
I love your story. LOVE IT. You need to be a motivational speaker.
Would love too. But I am still working on the whole “I’m not Amanda Woodword” thing.
Yes, you are my morning read with coffee before I embark on the world of corp. HR. *sigh*
This discussion reminds me of a time when online chats and dating services were just starting to flourish, and it was addressed in either Dear Abby or Ann Landers – her wisdom “these are just resources in the game, you will still have to meet them in person at some point, how is it really different from having several phone conversations with someone before you finally go on a date?” (not really a quotation, just paraphrasing) So use your resources, ALL of them!
Dating & looking for a job. So linked.
Never put all your eggs in one basket. And social media is one HUGE basket, folks!!
So true. That’s a good way to put it.
Love the Tron reference!! And you are spot-on with your advice.
Strange coinkidink…a job seeker came into our office today straight up saying he’s a software engineer looking for a job. Wow…I mean wow… He’s been unemployed for five months (which is not much, sadly, these days), has family back in Pakistan who he supports, yadda yadda. Has solid experience and a Master’s. He said he’s desperately seeking a job. I’m a huge advocate and proponent of helping and mentoring; there was no way I was turning this lost soul away.
But I have to be honest – I was a mix of conflicting emotions. Incredulity, shock, empathy…I took ten minutes (less time to run to the ladies’ room, chat it up with a coworker and get some water) and walked him through some basics. I’m curious if he will follow up with me as we discussed. We actually have an opportunity.
At the end of the day, he was lucky I was here. Even as presumptious an unexpected visitor may be, they still deserve respect and professionalism. In my case, he received some career-search guidance he clearly lacked. I have adopted a mantra to help those who I can; I can’t help everyone, but I’ll do what I can. It’s really that simple.
The onus is on us, HR professionals…we need to light the way. I’d like to think we’re lighthouse keepers. Shining the light and guiding those poor souls out in the rough waters trying to avoid becoming shipwrecked. We might just be their one and only beacon of hope.
Nice post Laurie! Social media is an “enabler,” especially when it comes to the job search. But no one should treat it as a substitute for good, old-fashioned meeting and greeting others. You learn a lot more about people and companies through talking with them than you can through the written word.
Well life is an enabler. We always look for the easy path, don’t we?
Great advice. My two bits of advice I give to those looking are to look for and attend networking functions (meet strangers in real life). There are generally lists from your local chamber of commerce that posts them. Also, look for networking opportunities from professional groups you are a part of. You may meet the person that wants to hire you or they may know the person that wants to hire you.
Cheers!
I love the advice of meeting strangers. So hard. Public speaking & socializing (which is really what networking is all about) makes people freak out — and yet it’s not that hard.
Gawd, Laurie, and here I just thought you were incredibly clever, deliciously cynical and a great writer. This is the best real-politick job-hunting advice I’ve ever read. I’m immediately sending it to my sister, who is of a certain age, and in job-peril. Have you considered offering it on television or some other larger stage so more could benefit? You should.
Traveling to other countries has its perks… one is many other countries tend to social network with their feet, telephone, church…. just as you bullet pointed above…
We are expanding into Brazil, and our first approached failed miserably — in Brazil, they are impressed with what you know BUT want to know WHO you know… they want to develop relatinoships, not hire a brain that can function a body to perform a task… we have already invented the computer and they want a HUMAN not an unthinking sloth…
Bill Kutik is right — this is the best advice out here… it goes back to the basics rather than re-inventing the wheel… and discerns what is most important… the person…
“That’s how people get hired in my industry.” GOD, how often have I heard *that* phrase before… It’s such an excuse. Really? That’s how people get hired in your industry? So why aren’t you hired.
I’m a big advocate for using social media to get a job. That’s how I got MY job, but it’s not just about putting up a LinkedIn profile. Like you say, it’s aaallll about networking. You can network by going to someone’s church or store that they frequent, or by obsessively reading the same blogs they read and chatting to them about it on Twitter. To be honest, you can do it offline or online – whatever works. But if I hear one more person tell me that they’re wasting their time on Monster Ima cut a bitch…
I have gotten EVERY ONE OF MY JOBS by meeting/knowing the right people. The computer got me NOWHERE…. except for lots of countless ridiculous phone interviews (thank you Career Builder, Monster, and the rest)
I did fine tune my yahoo messenger skills
29 comments ...wanna add one?