Outdated Job-Search Techniques - Part 2

We began looking in the first post on this topic, at some job-search techniques that are still in common practice, but that should be considered outdated and ceased to be used. Many tried-and-true methods still apply, but there are some methods that people use that really need to be re-examined and in most cases dropped from use when looking for a job.Last time we looked at four such methods: applying online, applying to posted jobs, assuming no posting means no opening, and sending out large amounts of unsolicited resumes/emails. I would like to look at just a few more this time.

1. No Job Searching During the Holidays - this is a relevant point considering it is the holiday season now. Many people cease to continue the job search during the holiday seasons, figuring people will be busy, gone on vacation, or in party mode and not serious work. However, this is not always the case - and also, if you are thinking this, then so are so many others. So, instead, take advantage of this, and continue the search. A lot on businesses may have a slight slowdown in work load, and hiring managers will experience this to, but this is prime time to make the contact. This slow down is a great time for them to catch up on going through their resume folder, as well as possibly doing some interviews. Also, with it being the end of the year, the year end budget proposals may just be the time they are looking at the prospect of hiring more staff for the New Year. So, don't use the holidays as an excuse to slow down, but instead keep up the pace.

2. Increase Your Odds by More Applications - the mentality is often believed that if you just apply for a lot of positions, your odds of getting one are better. This is not always the case. Going through and finding openings that are just remotely interesting, and then pushing out a generic "catch-all" cover letter with your resume, in hopes that it will suffice as is, is not good planning. Instead, specifically target jobs of interest, but more specifically, ones that your skills would be strongest in. Then customize your resume to highlight those strong points and target the needs of the opening you are applying for. A targeted customer cover letter/resume combo is much more likely to stand out than a generic one sent to everyone. Always take the time to do some homework on the company and their needs, then tailor your resume to promote yourself as the best candidate. Do this every time and your chances will increase more than going about it the other way would.

3. Relying on One or Two Job-Search Companies - if you are thinking that all you need to do is pop on each day to one or two job search sites and hope the perfect job is listed, then you need to rethink those thoughts in a major way. Gone are the days when you could think one major search site would suffice. This is the digital age, where there are so many sites and social media outlets, etc. that you need to seriously broaden your search horizons. You just never know where that perfect job may be hiding - and you must go and find it by looking in every corner you can access.

4. Make You the Focus Point - this may sound a little odd, since we know that the whole idea behind a resume is to sell yourself as the best candidate. This is still true, but you need to make sure that what you are selling is what they are buying. If you just focus your resume on how great and talented you are, you are missing the main point. The job search for a company is about finding the candidate that is the best fit for their needs - not your needs. So, you need to make sure that while you are selling yourself, you are actually focusing on the needs of the company and their position. How do your skills make you the best person for their current opening? How will your skills better benefit the company and promote growth? You need to focus on the company, and make sure everything you do, write and say is in line with promoting how you are the perfect candidate for their job.


That is it for this series.  Hopefully these have given you a little initiative to take a look at some aspects of your job search methods, and help to streamline and remove any lingering outdated techniques. If you have any further tips on this topic, please share them below. 


Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Utilities Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.