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I Can’t Be Out Of Leads… I Still Have Resumes Left!
Do you have a job search strategy? Are you sure?
Ever heard this one before?
“I can’t be out of leads… I still have resumes left!”
Probably not. But if you are a recruiter or a hiring manager/HR person receiving piles of resumes, it may feel like it some days.
Of course this headline is stolen from the old joke about a false relationship between checks in your checkbook and money in the bank. But I think the concept works here. In a different way.
Here it says that job seekers mistake the ability to do something with the value in doing something. Precisely, I’m trying to help you avoid wasting your time and the time of the hiring community.
The direct advice?
Don’t do things just because you can. Do them because they are part of a strong and well-planned job search strategy.
Tis advice has relevance in a number of places within job search. The basic point? Have a purpose for everything you do. Here are a few examples where you can be more purposeful in your decision-making during job search:
Applying For Jobs
How do you decide what jobs to apply for? Referral from a friend? New alert from Monster.com? There will always be temptations due to the nature of being in transition. Most of us in transition want to stop looking and find a job (I say most as some really love being out and free!). And anything that looks kind of close gets our heart palpitating.
There will always be a temptation to throw your resume at every position that:
1. includes your function (marketing)
2. falls in your industry (health care)
3. is at your level (director)
Why? Well, why not, right? What is hurt by you throwing your hat in the ring? One extra resume can’t really overburden the system! Well, that’s not the point. It’s you wasting time.
Sending Resumes To Companies When No Job Exists
Generally this falls under the category of don’t do it. Again, you might say, “why not?”. And again I will say: why waste your time? The odds that someone in HR will open your resume, see your experience and say “Hey, we need to create a job for this person” are pretty small. You should be networking with others to find jobs that exist frst.
Now, can you build relationships in target companies in advance of a job being available? Yes. And I think this makes sense. Because at that same time you can be asking for names of other companies or other contacts where there may be some jobs opening up. So, the distinction is in the method. If part of your job search strategy is to network your way into your top 5 target companies, do it in person. Sending a blind resume or including that company as part of a mass mailing campaign is a waste of time. My opinion.
Going To Group Networking Events
Again, it’s decision time. There are a lot of events out there now for job seekers and serial networkers. But they are not all worth attending. If you think that you are better out every night networking than at home with family or friends, you are wrong. Networking events can be fantastic. They can also be a great time waster. Include the use of networking events as a integral part of your job search strategy and then stick to that strategy.
Agreeing To Individual Networking Meetings
As you get into your search, especially if you become a person to know, others will want to meet with you. You will also likely have a list of people that you’d like to meet. Folks who have connections in your industry, are currently working in your industry or have some other influence that you find valuable. While these one-on-one meetings can be valuable, they can also become a burden if unproductive. My thoughts here:
So the message today is: Have a purpose. Do things because they are smart and effcient. Because they are a part of a larger, well planned strategy.
Now, I’m not saying there isn’t room for adjustment along the way. Did I ever pursue a long shot during job search? Of course. None of us will do this perfect!
But plan the right effort. Instead of letting impulse drive your activity.
And. If you have resumes left at the end of the day… save them for tomorrow.