If I have learned anything in my 7 months of job searching it’s this: the hunt for jobs is a numbers game. The more resumes you submit the more opportunities will arise.
When I found myself unemployed for the second time in late May of last year I decided that this time around I wanted to find my perfect job instead of taking the first opportunity that come up. I decided that in order to land my perfect job I would only apply for positions that were opportunities I could really see myself doing, at companies that peeked my interest and left me wanting more. I wanted to fall in love with a job, land it, and live happily ever after. I quickly found putting up these filters resulted in zero potential jobs. So, I decided to give the complete opposite approach a whirl. I removed all my filters and I applied for everything! Some positions I was over-qualified and some under qualified but it didn’t matter. I was out there and it resulted in phone calls and emails from potential employers wanting to set up interviews; which is where it all begins.
So get yourself out there, utilize all networking and job sites you have at your disposal. Sign up for job alerts from Monster or Dice, create a LinkedIn profile, hell, pull out your old rolodex and send off your resume to long lost contacts and ask if their current employers are looking for anyone else to join their workforce. Don’t limit yourself to applying for positions that exactly fit your criteria and skill set. Branch out and apply for something a little out of your comfort zone and you may just find exactly what you need.
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Good call! During my last job hunt I simply pulled up a list of the top 100 fastest growing companies in Utah and started sending out resumes, completely cold. I didn’t care if they were hiring or not, or whether they even wanted somebody with my skills. I just “shot gunned” about 30 emails with a cover letter explaining what it is I do, resume attached. I got enough interviews and offers that I was able to pick the company that was a best fit for me.
The method has its pros and cons. But hey, it worked!
Good call! During my last job hunt I simply pulled up a list of the top 100 fastest growing companies in Utah and started sending out resumes, completely cold. I didn’t care if they were hiring or not, or whether they even wanted somebody with my skills. I just “shot gunned” about 30 emails with a cover letter explaining what it is I do, resume attached. I got enough interviews and offers that I was able to pick the company that was a best fit for me.
The method has its pros and cons. But hey, it worked!