When I started my job search I followed a few different paths. One, dive into the online world and apply for jobs on Indeed, CareerBuilder, and some niche boards. Two, reconnect with folks in the alarm industry to see what opportunities were out there. And three, reach out to trusted connections in Des Moines.
So what have the results been so far? Interesting to say the least. Here is a look inside the numbers...
49 6 4 2 0
At first glance it looks like a sales funnel - almost is. But the first and last numbers tell the biggest story. I have applied online to 49 jobs. Some of the jobs I was very qualified for and some were a stretch. But 0 is the number of interviews I got from the 49 applied jobs.
ZERO.
I may not have the greatest resume of all time, but it is still very good. It is certainly more than good enough to deserve a follow-up from 10-15 of these jobs. Another blog for another day is to look at how the online job application system is broken. Companies have cast their nets too wide, get too many applicants, and end up promoting from within, or...see below...
That leaves me with 6, 4, and 2. I have had 6 initial interviews, 4 second interviews, and 2 companies have contacted me directly with offers. (I didn't call them, they called me) How did I get these interviews when I was 0 for 49 in the online game?
Connections. A personal referral beats an online application every time. (see 0 for 49 above)
Each of these referrals came in different ways too. A friend referred me to a well known recruiter who referred me to a hiring company. I went to lunch with another friend to debrief on my recent job loss, and he referred me to a company that was looking for a guy like me - and he called them to make the connection. I had been trying unsuccessfully to get into a large local insurance company. The HR person was too busy or too disinterested in me to push me through. I reached out to a friend that works there, and he walked my resume over to a VP and said, "you need to interview this guy", and they did. Twice.
It is not a numbers game. It is a connections game.
The other connections and referrals came from folks that I have worked with in the alarm industry. Nothing speaks louder than than your work. I have been blessed to lead the Iowa Alarm Association and make great friends and connections during my three years as president. When people get a chance to see you work on lead first hand, they won't ask to see your resume. They will call and ask you to join them.
Never pass up an opportunity to connect. Job search aside, connecting with people and hopefully making a difference in their day is what it is all about.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
What's blogging got to do with it
I will add a blog in a bit with more background info - but I thought I would start this blog off with a blog success story. (I just used the word "blog" three times in the opening sentence - thesaurus please)
Some of you know that I started a running blog a few years ago as a way to learn about blogging and to improve my writing skills. There was no plan to share it with anyone nor to make a habit of it. This was going to be my own private mental exercise. Well, over 100 blog posts and a small following later it became a big part of my week.
What does any of that have to do with my job search?
At an interview earlier this week the employer started talking about my blog. What? They googled me? Yep. And what did they find but my blog and they started reading it. It caught me off guard. Someone that can control my future was reading my blog - awe man.
Is this a good thing? Absolutely. In their words here is what they learned about, and the impression the blog had on them -
1. I have good writing skills
2. I have a sense of humor
3. I am a disciplined trainer
4. I take care of my body and mind
5. I have social media skills
Wow, pretty cool. They loved it and were quoting things I forgot I ever said. I should read my own blog more often. When I started blogging, having it act as "resume builder" was nowhere in my thoughts.
If you are on the job search and you are trying figure out how stick out from the crowd - consider a blog. It doesn't even have to be serious business topic. You just have to do it. Start writing and watch what happens.
Who knows, you may even create "insert name here" fans!
This is just a brief intro into what the goal of this blog is. A chance for me to share success and failures of my job search.
More to come...
Some of you know that I started a running blog a few years ago as a way to learn about blogging and to improve my writing skills. There was no plan to share it with anyone nor to make a habit of it. This was going to be my own private mental exercise. Well, over 100 blog posts and a small following later it became a big part of my week.
What does any of that have to do with my job search?
At an interview earlier this week the employer started talking about my blog. What? They googled me? Yep. And what did they find but my blog and they started reading it. It caught me off guard. Someone that can control my future was reading my blog - awe man.
Is this a good thing? Absolutely. In their words here is what they learned about, and the impression the blog had on them -
1. I have good writing skills
2. I have a sense of humor
3. I am a disciplined trainer
4. I take care of my body and mind
5. I have social media skills
Wow, pretty cool. They loved it and were quoting things I forgot I ever said. I should read my own blog more often. When I started blogging, having it act as "resume builder" was nowhere in my thoughts.
If you are on the job search and you are trying figure out how stick out from the crowd - consider a blog. It doesn't even have to be serious business topic. You just have to do it. Start writing and watch what happens.
Who knows, you may even create "insert name here" fans!
This is just a brief intro into what the goal of this blog is. A chance for me to share success and failures of my job search.
More to come...
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