Job hunters who spend countless hours applying for jobs through online ads can quickly fall into a state of despair. They receive little to no response from the companies, yet continue to fill out endless applications. The cycle goes on and on and on.
At GetFive, we know only a small percentage of job hunters get interviews this way. They are much more successful if they network or try to directly contact the right people. However, if used selectively and in combination with networking and direct contact, answering online job postings can lead to one of those long-sought-after interviews.
Still, some blame job hunters for applying for too many positions and blindly sending out applications willy-nilly. But let’s not blame the job hunter, as there are reasons for doing this.
Unrealistic requirements
Job postings have become unrealistic in terms of their required qualifications. Many times, even the most qualified person cannot meet the requirements the company is seeking. Because of this, people must apply for jobs they are not qualified for.
New technology
Sophisticated job boards and applicant tracking systems help companies sort through resumes and applications faster and also predict a better match between the applicant and the job. Companies claim that using these as a means of sourcing and filling their open positions helps the job hunter. Who are they kidding? It’s still likely that the job hunter is one of hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants meeting those criteria.
Solutions
At GetFive we tell our members that if you answer ads, do so selectively and ask if this advertised position fits within your overall target of companies in which you have an interest. If the answer is yes, then by all means, answer the ad or fill out the online application.
We also tell our members to try networking their way into the same company, or use direct contact to identify the hiring manager or other people of influence who can “bump up” their resume to the top of the pile.
