The Recruiting Inferno

My buddy Hannah Morgan – the Career Sherpa – penned a nice little article over on The Savvy Intern, “What Are the Top 7 Job Search Fails?”

I got carried away with my comment and this morning realized it should be a post here on The Recruiting Inferno.

So read the post first, then the stuff below…

Fail No. 1: “I will find my next job by applying to a job online”

What this means is that after exhausting your ability to get to the hiring manager or recruiter via networking means, you really have to apply. Shoot, even a blind squirrel catches a nut from time to time (15%). Besides, many companies actually allow hiring managers to search the ATS – and if you’re not in there, you’re SOL.

Fail No. 2: “I expect to hear a response (either yes or no) soon after I apply”

If you receive an auto-response, please give it one week before you begin to barrage the company with calls, emails, text messages, and carrier pigeons.

This being said, I wish more companies were honest with feedback; it’s so simple. But you know why many don’t? Aside from the ones who are crappy recruiters, there are many jobseekers who simply won’t take “No, you’re not someone we’re going to hire because you have no experience doing the job – and no, despite being a fast learner, we don’t have 2 years to wait while you learn”; so many companies say nothing until the “Thank you for your interest” email is sent.

Fail No. 3: “My cover letter always will be read in full”

Think about this: If you hired someone to write you a professional resume which presumably explains “everything” and puts on you a demigod pedestal – why do you need a cover letter? To explain things not explained in the resume? Huh?

My order: Resume, online, LinkedIn (or equivalent), and maybe, just maybe, a cover letter.

Fail No. 4: “I’m networking…with people in Human Resources”

Unless you’re looking for a job in HR, no more than 25% of your networking efforts should be with HR folks. Do I really need to explain why?

Fail No. 5: “I can only network AFTER the job has been posted”

No one can manage your career better than you. Remember this advice after you land: Spend 2 nights EVERY month at a professional association endeavor.

What this means folks is that YOU ARE ALWAYS NETWORKING.

If you do, you just might be one of those who get the job before it gets posted anywhere. Joy.

Fail No. 6: “I’ll land an interview for every job I apply to”

Well – some people do. Some people got into every school to which they applied. Some folks are 4% body fat.

Most don’t and aren’t.

Fail No. 7: “My resume is the most important job search tool”

Your resume is one tool – one arrow in your quiver.

The best two tools are still the telephone and the handshake.

Can’t beat the personal touch…