Employment Archives - The Voice of Job Seekers

How To Stop Applying To 25-30 Jobs A Week Unsuccessfully

How To Stop Applying To 25-30 Jobs A Week Unsuccessfully by Mark Anthony Dyson

I wanted to share this question I answered a few years back. While this person asked about breaking into an Human Resources career, I thought some of this will apply universally (for the most part):

I apply to about 25-30 jobs a week and haven’t been able to get noticed. What can I do to help improve my chances?

I’m a media studies major and just got my masters in communications, so I can basically go into any field, though I’m probably best suited for Human Resources (HR). Are there any general tips one can offer about getting into the field?

Most people get the jobs they want (including HR) by doing several things. Many of these strategies are disruptive but create success for several career changes. Since you just graduated and the only information about you here is your interest, these are shots in the dark:

Network, network, and network

You may have a gold mine already with the people you know who can help you by telling them a position you want and the company you want to work for. Assuming you are trying to get your foot in the door, see if you can find within your network an employee who works for the company for you to talk to the HR manager.

Job competition is fierce.

There are two sides to this discussion, and both are extreme. First is the employer’s application process, where they will receive hundreds of applications for one position, and many times one percent of applicants are considered qualified. Second, most people start their job search with a spray (apply to dozens of jobs) and pray (hope they get one or two interviews) approach.

Most companies expect you to apply online before recognizing your interest. But history shows it doesn’t guarantee a callback from an employer. In my 15 years in the career industry, people who consistently win the job search are strategic in applying online, or a referral by someone they knew, became well-known in their industry, approached by a recruiter, or were introduced by a 2nd or 3rd ties connection in their network.

Apply to small start-ups to widen your opportunity net.

I recommend applying to small companies but use your network to help find the ones hiring for your skill set. Small companies are more open to conversation starters on LinkedIn. You can attract potential recruiters and employers if you’re an active LinkedIn user with a completed profile. If it’s incomplete, many recruiters will move on.

Join professional groups, organizations, or associations.

You can get to know HR professionals on LinkedIn and Facebook groups, as well as the paid national and local groups. If there are some in your hometown, it’s a plus. Getting to know them and for them to know, like, and trust you give you access your competition won’t have.

Try following the hashtags #humanresources, #HR, and #humanresourcesjobs on LinkedIn. Participate in conversations relevant to the problems you want to solve. While this is a long-game strategy, being a contributor to at-large groupthink could help other people and for you to be seen as a resource.

Use your school’s career services.

They can often put you in touch with active alums who are still connected with the school for the sole purpose of helping graduates with opportunities. If you need more resources and strategies to help you with your job search, they have resources and strategies to help you with your job search.

Internships are for more than just new graduates and are still viable. A few universities and colleges offered past and present graduates applications for internship opportunities a few years ago. While much has changed, the only thing to gain by calling after graduation is the connection to alum networking events.

Informational interviews (or a business conversations)

Since it’s summer, things will slow down for various reasons. You can ask an office for 10 minutes of a hiring manager’s time to ask for information about the position (don’t ask for the job, only offer your resume if they ask you). I know people who contacted HR managers through LinkedIn. You want to use the information as intel to shape your narrative in selling yourself to other companies. Most of all, use it to build a business relationship.

Overall, whatever field you choose, your presence off and online must show an interest in the area. It’s a challenging field, even if you’re passionate about it. It just takes a little time and work. But again, your networking will determine your chances better than any other way.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How to Make Shared Core Values Work for You?

Find Shared Core Values

Pointing out the generational differences in the workplace is now a stale conversation and no longer makes us the shining star. One of a few ways older job seekers can combat age discrimination and disrupt the hiring process is through relationships in the company and sharing common core values with the company itself.

In 2003, I worked for a small start-up where mostly everyone had families and marriages, but there was a high sense of integrity. I think that was why I made the cut as the questioning during the interview was to unveil my tolerance of a lack thereof.

It’s not that older workers are incapable of grasping tech, it’s the behavior– kicking and screaming about learning one more new thing. There is a place to meet in the middle where it’s possible the company inherently rewards behavior reflecting its core values.

Core values for most older workers manifest in their life and career

Employers can’t train personality or strong core values in employees. Although companies will emphasize the job skills gap, they want employees with the right soft skill set. One way for older workers to connect with employers is to display high core values. Employees are more invested in the company’s mission when they share core values.

These values for most older workers manifest in their life and career. At the company I worked for, the manager went out of his way to ensure we were clear about our customer’s expectation and how it should be reflected in the store first. It was drama-free, unlike the bigger company I had just left. If older workers find out if they mean something to an employer, it can serve as leverage to hire, especially if core values mean something to both.

An older worker has a tighter grasp on his or her core values. Younger workers focus on their hard skill sets while most older workers possess applied knowledge, skills, and an acute awareness of self. Core values change over time and may match the employers, and the fit may result in serious consideration. If an employee makes business decisions driven by shared values, then it works out perfect for both. Employees are more invested in the company’s mission when they share core values.

As an older worker, it is up to you to find common ground at every opportunity

Employers examine core values during the hiring process. Behavioral Assessments are used to pass candidates to the next round, usually to a person-to-person interview, but don’t measure core values. The common ground becomes evident when the candidate and the employer grow familiar with one another through the process.

Along with the other research you’re conducting on companies (you are researching companies, right?), research the company’s core values. Here are few things that should stand out if the company emphasizes their core values:

– Core values should be EASY to find

Zappos has a complete page of their core values. In fact, you’ll find several pages where they list their core values and how they affect Zappos culture. It seems core values drive the company’s mission to succeed and the employee is its most valuable catalyst for success

Do they provide training of their core values?

Zappos also spend three days of training during their onboarding training for new hires. The opportunity as a wiser and seasoned job seeker to share the company’s core values would solidify their worth to the company.

– Look for the company with core values in action

Press releases are a good way to find out if the company practices what they preach. If a company says, they embrace diversity and community, is it reflected in management and volunteer community? Surely there are pictures from the community they serve that proves this, right? Bank of America is another good example of stating what their core values are but also showing how it manifests throughout the company on their YouTube channel.

– Is the company’s leadership talking core values openly

OK, they have clear core values as a page on their website. Are the company’s President and C-Suite executives talking about them in their communication to employees? How about the press? Well, see what Sharon John, Build-A-Bear’s CEO says about her company’s core values and how talent alone isn’t everything.

– Are they responsive to questions about its core values

If a company says it’s a family, they should support employees who have families such as maternity and parent leave, right? While working for the start-up, it was apparent families came first. Not only were the questions about family answered in my interview, but also constant reinforcement occurred throughout my time there.

During this period my sons were in grade school, and when emergencies came up, there was never a problem leaving early. The company I left was also supportive of families, but what was different was the small family feel of the start-up. It wasn’t possible for a large corporation to replicate. You’ll need to discern how

Excellent skills are necessary but what will make an older job seeker fit in the company? Look beyond the desktop and start finding out what makes the company and its leadership motor run. You can often find it in the core values and how it aligns with yours.

This article was originally published on Career Pivot!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

The Changes, Challenges, and Chores of Relationships and Unemployed

Life can go awry when one partner is suddenly unemployed. Everything will be scrutinized, but will the relationship survive? There are times when life needs to be right before things change in unemployment land.

Whether a job seeker has chosen to be unemployed or is a victim of downsizing, no one is perfectly prepared for the imminence of mental, emotional, and spiritual warfare. There is no way to predict the outcome of how life will continue because of the fluctuation of today’s job market.

The ambitious people will want to do many things, but not the right things. Therefore, the universe and the stars should align if the objectives are clear, and the spouse does not harass you about fifty other household chores they like done upon arrival from work.

Changes

Now that time is in your hands. Things are left undone when you are a slave to the work rhythm. It is natural to feel loss, and mourning is a natural response to being unemployed. For many job seekers, the bulk of emotional support was from coworkers.

Since access to them will diminish (especially if you are married with kids), transitioning to exclude them from daily contact is a significant change. As the infrequency of contact becomes noticeable, the realization of detachment can be heartbreaking. There are some practical steps you can take to help you move forward:

Less contact is good unless the work hooks you up with contacts, networking opportunities, or valuable job-finding information.

2. Do not let yourself be trapped by office gossip. You have better things to do with your time.

3. Share positively, be informative, and support is reciprocated.

Challenges

There will be intrinsic and extrinsic factors that will cause conflict for job seekers with families while unemployed. It is even more complicated if both partners are out of work and looking for jobs. Good communication is a work-in-progress but is difficult to forge and formulate. It takes time and honesty to share and clarify goals, needs and wants. Marrieds with children have the most difficulty deciding who will sacrifice their career and whose schooling is the priority.

One mistake couples make in communicating is each person’s perception of one conversation. Since feelings and priorities change like the direction of the wind, discussing each step often is critical to protect each other’s feelings. The challenge again is, to be honest about how you feel:

How do you feel about your partner’s efforts to look for a job? Do you trust their approach to finding employment? Are they missing opportunities because of a lack of action?
Do you feel that your partner should take the first opportunity offered? Do you want your partner to hold out until the best chance comes? Do you trust your partner’s judgment?
What is each person willing to sacrifice? Salary? Time? What should each person’s role be?

Chores

People I have coached, mentored, or trained have problems with being late and lack organization. The job-related document, or an appointment, they have contracted the “late bug.” If a person looks like an episode of “Hoarders,” there is a problem.

Hearing the tone of, “…he’s unemployed for a reason…” is unfair, but unfiltered as unfair.

A life in disarray will result in a life enslaved by chaos. Not that anyone would get there on purpose, but some signs appear if it has not already:

I AM forgetful of everything, such as car and home keys, passwords, cell phones, and phone numbers.
I find house duties and job search responsibilities hard to prioritize on the same day.
I am not handling criticism well nor inviting input.

Does your partner have a problem with your disorganization? With time on your hands (if you are out of work), this would be the best time to organize everything. Finances, job-related information, clothes, personal identifying documents, credit, and living are best cleaned and managed to help relieve the stress of unemployment and for your peace of mind.

Unemployed. This, too, will pass.