While the issue of the “job search” has certainly received attention in this blog, there is another aspect of the job search that has yet to receive explicit attention. Self-described cereal entrepreneur G.L. Huffman recently asked in a U.S. News and World Report article how one ought to approach the job search, asking how much time, and with what degree of vigor one should search for jobs. And although his answer is far from shocking, it would behoove job seekers to heed his common sense recommendations.
Huffman rightly observes that many job seekers grow frustrated with the job search process—tired of submitting application after application. It stands to reason that, because of this frustration, many job seekers, disillusioned and tired of searching perpetually for a job, stop, or nearly stop, searching for jobs altogether. This chain of reasoning is actually confirmed by a statistic Huffman provides: that most job seekers spend only 30 minutes per day searching for jobs. First, and as Huffman recognizes, it is important that job seekers, despite their possible disillusionment, demonstrate a high degree of ‘sticktoitiveness’ when searching for a job—approach the job search as though it were a full-time job. Don’t just perform sporadic or infrequent job searches, schedule out your day, and abide by that schedule—give your search, and yourself, some structure. Next? If you find yourself applying for job after job, do something different—make yourself stand out.
As I have discussed in earlier posts, it is not enough to search and apply for jobs, one must search and apply for jobs strategically. Or, as Huffman prescribes, “Take the attitude that you want to find out everything you can about the job, the hiring manager and the company. Your skill-set might not be the best now, but you will know more about this job opening than anyone else.” That is, before applying for a job, research is essential: “You need to read past articles, examine business journals, snoop around social media (hey, they will do this to you!), you might even want to read through some web forums, and find out where employees hang out so you can put together the fullest picture of the company and this job opening.” Incorporate all of this research and new knowledge into your job application. Rearrange, and perhaps, reword, your resume and/or cover letter; take language from the vacancy announcement and work it into your resume; do everything you can to ensure that your job application sufficiently demonstrates that you are capable of meeting whatever needs a given employer might have. Don’t just search for jobs; search for jobs like it’s your job!
In addition to the above, a number of my previous posts have dealt with the issue of the job search in one way or another. Such posts include Reading beyond the job announcement, Making dreams a reality, What mistakes are you making while looking for federal jobs? Using your scholarly skills to find the perfect job or internship, Confronting the specter of long-term joblessness—what you can do, and the future of employment in America, and How to apply your strategic skills to finding a job.
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