How did you/do you find a job? The frustrations of applying online!

[tillymonster]

I was thinking about posting this in the financial subforum but not sure it fits...

My DH and I are experiencing yet another layoff. I know this is common especially for Californians. I am newly pregnant no less, so this puts even more stress on the situation. Luckily, he is getting unemployment and I am working as a freelancer, though the bills will barely be paid as we have some debt.

We are using the 3 largest sites out there, Monster, Career Builder and Indeed/Simply Hired (pretty sure they are powered by the same engine).

All these applications seem to go into a "black hole", we never get much response. Last time DH was laid off 2 years back, he got ZERO inquires for over 8 months and was lucky to land a job an old boss set up for him. The chances of that are slim as it is! These are jobs supposedly posted 2-3 days ago for companies my DH has heard of or that are nearby. We are worried we are doing something wrong, looking and posting in the wrong place.

Any tip or suggestions for us? We are currently applying all over in California and are willing to move anywhere for a job. Texas is doing VERY well right now in the industry my DH is in and we are seriously concidering just moving there, but would really like to get a gig before we do that, so we are applying like crazy there as well. We've had some response from Texas, but they don't want to do much till we move there, which we'd like to land a job before doing! It's a vicious circle. It's very frustrating.

So, how are you finding a job? What sites are you using? Are you using word or mouth or linkedin connections? Are you contacting HR departments? Any tips and suggestions are GREATLY welcome.

Edited by tillymonster - 3/12/13 at 4:11pm

[LLQ1011]

Go in to the place. The volume of applications that are going places is huge.  Honestly the only reason I ever posted stuff on those job sites was because my corporate office told me too. I was much more likely to hire walking and calls and only reviewed that stuff if I was desperate. (Like you said in texas you get more responses)

[JollyGG]

I found the best method for finding jobs is networking. If the layoff is simply downsizing then now is a good time to ask his supervisor and perhaps even their supervisors if they know of anyone whose hiring. Depending on what they know and who they know it's okay to even ask them to write a letter or email of introduction and recommendation to people they know in the industry.

As much as I hate doing it I've even gotten good results from cold calling. If I can make it all the way to a person (not HR) they will often tell you about upcoming positions or direct you to other companies they heard were hiring. 

I found an unexpected method that worked well was to send an email after getting a rejection letter saying something like - "Thank you for letting me know of your decision. I understand that I wasn't the right fit for your current position. However, if you have future positions that you feel I qualify please don't hesitate to contact me. I have attached my resume. Please feel free to forward my qualifications on if you know of anyone else who could use someone with my qualification."

It's surprisingly effective, because employers don't expect a Thank You letter in response to their rejection. 

[tillymonster]

Yes I was seriously considering just CALLING the company. DH applied for two now that he used to work for and has heard nothing. He doesn't want to call but I think he should. I will work with him on that tomorrow.

Applying online just feels like it's going nowhere. Keep it coming ladies, I need some ideas!

[JollyGG]

Also he needs to not just apply through the major job search engines. He needs to go directly to the company web page of companies in his industry. They often have job postings on their page as well as the means to apply on-line directly to the companies HR.

And yes, calling is important. It at minimum gets his resume pulled out of the pile so that the person he spoke to can verify that they received it. Then an actual person has looked at it at least once. If possible he should follow up on every single resume he sends out.

[One_Girl]

I suggest checking the job service website frequently. In my area they update the jobs daily.

[journeymom]

He needs to go directly to the company web page of companies in his industry.

Yes.  If he finds a job posted with Blue Shield through Monster, he should go to the Blue Shield career site and apply.  I'm not hired yet, but the only response of any sort I've ever gotten is rejection letters -emails-  from employer' own career sites.  It's always exciting.   Look! Evidence that they looked at my resume!

Seriously, I considered writing the HR gal, who wrote me an actual paper letter of denial, an enthusiastic note of thanks. Thank you so much for reading my resume and letting me know it didn't disappear into a black hole!  Dh advised restraint and pointed out it might scare her off for any other applications I send in. 

[Quinalla]

Yes, apply directly at employer websites for sure and don't be afraid to send a resume with a brief cover letter tailored to the position to the firm as well. I never had any luck with Monster and the like except sometimes for finding postings and companies. Networking is not a bad idea, but not sure what networking is like in your field (it really doesn't happen much in mine sadly).

Also, you may want to try a headhunter. I've used one before and they can help you out a lot and they get paid by your future employer, so they are very motivated to find you a job. It doesn't always work out, but something to consider.

[tillymonster]

Yesterday my DH applied for the local companies (he's actually worked for most of them in the past) and then called the office to talk to someone in HR. He got vm for the most part but because he said he was a former employee the receptionist put him through. No callbacks yet but atleast it feels like we are doing something.

The reason why I like indeed.com is because it actually spiders the web like google and takes you directly to the companies career section to apply. We also wrote a custom cover letter for local jobs and ones out of state.

I feel like we are doing everything! Networking has worked in the past but sadly, the job market is so bad in CA no one is hiring.

[Subhuti]

I second writing a thank you letter if you get a rejection. I recently didn't hire someone, got a thank you that was polite but not weird. And so ... When my original hire bombed, I called the woman up who I had originally rejected. Should of hired her in the first place!

Also, cold calling is welcome as long as you follow up and send a resume and then don't pester. Ill file a resume and go back to it later when I need someone ... Saves me the work of placing an ad. And if I really know the person is not right, I will just tell them flat out we have no spots. I would not accept a resume.

Just FYI, I work in the non profit world. Not corporate so it may be different elsewhere.

[tillymonster]

Thank you Subhuti! He hasn't received too many rejection letters but the one he did get, he responded to. I wouldn't have thought it would be professional to cold call like that but I can see how it would work! We are just hoping that the resume gets looked at-- he's got such great experience I was totally shocked he wasn't GETTING calls. That's why I feel like just applying online isn't enough.

What about leaving a voicemail? He didn't get through most of the companies he called, he even got a hold of an old coworker who he used to work with-- she didn't pick up either. Would it be dicey to call back later on in the week?

[tillymonster]

Well fast forward about a week and no calls, no response. The main thing that drives me nuts is the time I am spending for him. I've applied him, found contact numbers and did pretty much everything except for CALLING. Today we got into it over the fact that he doesn't see the POINT in calling anyone. 

I'm 3 months pregnant and completely stressed while trying to work part time (WAHM) and care for a 3yo (though he's doing most of that and conveniently using it as an excuse). I don't think he understands that just applying online isn't the answer. *SIGH*

[Nightwish]

Applying on line usually doesn't work, unless you are extremely qualified for the position. I use the internet just to research companies in my field and see who is hiring and then I call or go directly to the companies I'm interested in.

My dh applied on line only after his studies, and got maybe 3 phone calls back in TWO years. Then he started calling and got his current job after two months (and had several other offers, as a result of calling).
 

[jmarroq]

My situation is a bit different, since I am not the main breadwinner. I was just looking to get back out there and make a few bucks. My youngest started kindergarten this year and I haven't worked in 10 years. Before that, I had a mix of different types of jobs, the longest only being 3 years.

I was looking for a more flexible or position so I could work while the kids were in school, but I was willing to interview for full-time as well, knowing that I might have to put the kids in an after-school program. I applied for SO many jobs through Monster, Careerfinder, Craigslist, the government sponsored state jobs board and several staffing agencies (two of which I worked for in the past). I did call and walk in to a few places, but I mostly applied on line. If I had more friends I could ask around and network a bit.

I hated that fact that some jobs I applied for on line asked for a lot of personal information, even social security numbers for credit checks! Oh, and references. Hated that too. I am somewhat isolated here without many friends, so I don't have any references except for a handful of acquaintance type friends and I really don't want them knowing my business...like the fact that I am looking for a job. Also, those questionnaires they make you take sometimes when you apply for jobs are ridiculous. Everyone just answers how they think the employer wants them to answer. There are some that make you take an actual test too, with math, etc. I ran out of time on one! Oh, and all the passwords and usernames to get into the websites to apply...I got locked out of a few websites. This one wants at least one capital letter, this one wants at least one character, my password security rating is too weak, etc. Trying to update or post a new resume to some of the websites was impossible. I was not able to finish my profile with one staffing agency. I called locally for help, called corporate, etc. No one could help. They suggested it was because I had a Mac. I even went to the local library to try it on a non-mac and it still wouldn't let me update my info! Total waste of time again. Craigslist had about 90% fake jobs in the categories I was looking in. I must have applied for one or two fake ones because I would get these emails telling me they needed my name so they could send me a check, trying to scam me!

When I first moved to this town 11 years ago I was looking for full-time work and I wasn't getting any interviews. This was like deja-vu all over again. It was really discouraging then, and it still is now. Back then, I thought maybe I was over-qualified for some of the jobs...now I just think no one wants an old stay-at-home mom who hasn't worked in over 10 years!  

Believe it or not, I finally found a job. Of all places, I found it on Craigslist! 

[journeymom]

Trying to update or post a new resume to some of the websites was impossible.

Yeah, I bumped up against this recently.  I checked the job postings at a particular company that I hadn't visited in almost a year.  My resume and cover letter I attached to my profile with them is pretty rough, I've fine-tuned them quite a bit since then.  But I couldn't delete the old documents and upload the new, better one -unless I apply for a job. There weren't any jobs available.  Supposedly if a job opens up their HR checks for a matching profile resume. Well, now my profile is inaccurate and doesn't reflect my improved professionalism.

I know the key is to break away from the online job applications.  I've gotten myself into a nice little anxiety rut.

...now I just think no one wants an old stay-at-home mom who hasn't worked in over 10 years!

Try 15 years. 

By the way, congratulations!!

[tillymonster]

Wow 15 years! Yeah that's rough. I was told by everyone I knew, INCLUDING my DH that once DD turned some magical number like 6mo or 1yo I would just have to go back to work and put her in daycare. Lucky for me, my husband was willing to let me stay home and we decided together that daycare wasn't really an option without considerable distress, my DD was very attached and shy. Still is somewhat-- and she's 3yo now. It's really hard making that decision to be a SAHM because you get zero respect like it's not a real job! It's a 24-hour job if you ask me. That's just my opinion/experience though...

Once my daughter stared sleeping better and the postpartum stuff got easier (about 11mo), I started looking for ways to make money. I found a freelancer site, oDesk.com that has ALL SORTS of jobs to apply for on a project basis. I worked for Apple.com in the highlight of my 10+ year career, I'm a web designer/graphic designer by trade. I made a job for myself where I set my own hours (well, sort of) and did it all in about a year. 

But not to get TOO much off topic... Thank you ladies SO MUCH for the tips here. My DHs networking might have landed him a job. Today he had an interview for a job that was he was recommended for from a person he worked with many years ago-- she still remembered him and said he'd be a great fit! I'm so glad I kicked his butt and got him to make some phone calls for EVERY job he applied for. He'll hopefully get a 2nd interview next week then thinks it's about a 75-80% chance to land this gig! 

[aidenn]

A big one for us, surprisingly was local CraigsList postings in the metro areas you are interested in.  Recruiters often post positions they are scouting for in there and my husband's only callbacks ever came from CL, even though we tried direct company postings, Monster, Salary/Indeed, and CareerBuilder.  There were a few more specific to his industry (drafting) but those probably don't apply here..

Recruiters via CraigsList have a monetary interest in seeing your DH get hired for this position so they get their commission, so if your DH is like mine and hates "nagging" a company over a job, finding a position via CL that has a recruiter working in your interest is a huge help!

[heyxxmcfly]

I'm also quite fed up applying online; and I feel extremely young asking this, but how do you go about cold calling a company when looking for a job? I've never heard that term.

[tillymonster]

I am sad to say-- I had to google this explaination because I couldn't think of how to explain what cold calling meant, so here's wikipedia's description:

"Cold calling is the marketing process of approaching prospective customers or clients—typically via telephone, by email or through making a connection on a social network—who were not expecting such an interaction. The word "cold" is used because the person receiving the call is not expecting a call or has not specifically asked to be contacted by a sales person. A cold call is usually the start of a sales process generally known as telemarketing."

And my news...

DH got a SECOND interview and now we are SURE he'll be offered the position!!! This means we get to stay in the area we like, not be burdened living in a mobile home his parents own, not to mention living in an area I do NOT like.

I am so darn happy right now I could burst! 

[JollyGG]

The book "Knock 'em dead" had some good tips for cold calling. My husband used the books several years ago with a job search. I'm sure your local library would have a copy.

But basically, cold calling is when you call a company that you know has the types of jobs you are seeking. You smooth talk your way past HR and secretaries to get to an actual hiring authority. You then introduce yourself. Explain that you are looking for a job in XYZ field. Would they have time to visit with you about any upcoming needs for the company and discuss your qualifications with you. At that point they usually do one of four things. 1. agree to meet (almost never ever happens) 2. Ask you to email them your resume, 3. direct you to HR to apply to a specific position. In this case be sure to put in your cover letter and correspondence with HR that Mr/Ms. ABC recommended you a apply to this position as they thought it would be a good fit for your qualifications. 4. Tell you that they aren't hiring, but MNOP may be. In this case ask for the name of the best person to talk to at MNOP.