Job Hunting Success ? Three Job Application Methods | The ...

25 Jun

Posted in Job Hunting Success by Roger, the Amateur Financier

Alright, it?s Monday again, and for all of you who are seeking a job (or trying to find a better job) like me, that means it?s time for another look at how to get your job hunt on. We?ve looked at how to build resumes for your hunt and some of the preparations for your job hunt, now it?s time for the real hunt to begin, finding a method of applying for jobs that works the best.

As you might guess, there?s more than a few methods to consider when applying for jobs. Gather up ten sources for job hunting advice, and you?re probably going to find a half dozen different recommendations for how to go about your job applying methods. Figuring out which one is the best is a fairly tough task. How do you determine the best job hunting method out there, given the number of types that exist?

Helpful hint: Don?t take the ?hunting? in job hunting too literally?

Here?s my advice: don?t try to use just one method. There?s a variety of jobs out there, after all; some are just perfect for you, some are less appealing, and some might be just barely better for you than being unemployed. For so many different jobs, there are numerous different techniques you can try. Let?s look at three of them, covering their advantages, disadvantages, and of course, when to use each different method.

Job Application Methods

Method Name: The Blanket Method

Details: If you?ve spent much time on job application sites like Monster and CareerBuilder, you?ve likely noticed that they make it very easy to apply for a job. Simply click on a job listing, click the ?Apply? button, choose which resume you want to submit (you can usually keep several saved), and viola! You?re done!

Pros: Quick and easy; you can get dozens of job applications submitted in an hour or two. Some job sites have been making this even easier, allowing you to simply click a check box next to each job in which you are interested and send your resume to all of them in fell swoop. In this method, you can typically cover hundreds of jobs during a single lunch hour. (Make sure you aren?t using a company computer while you do this, though.)

Cons: As you might guess, a method that basically flings everything at the wall to see what sticks will have a low response rate (one to two percent, if you?re lucky). Depending on how closely you watch the jobs to which you apply, you might end up getting responses about jobs you?d never consider taking.

Best Used For: The vast bulk of jobs you come across on most job sites. Chances are that if you?ve set your search parameters fairly broadly (to make sure nothing slips through the cracks) that you?ll get tons of job opportunities that simply aren?t a good fit. Double check the qualifications to ensure that they really aren?t something you are too impressed with, and if you still want to be considered (if you are unemployed or working part-time somewhere like Wal-Mart), you can use the Blanket Method to get yourself under consideration.

Method Name: The Standard Method

Details: Here?s the method you?ve most likely heard about (with some variations) from your job hunting sources. You find an interesting-sounding job that meets most of your qualifications, such as location, payment level, skills required, type of company, etc. You double-check that your resume stresses the qualifications the job requires, fill out an application form (if provided) that stresses the requirements of the particular company, and send everything in, usually through an online job entry. Depending on the company and the application method, you might also have the opportunity to include a cover letter; this is definitely a good idea, as it shows at least a decent level of interest in the company. Then, you basically just wait, perhaps sending a follow-up note a week or so later to see how the job-filling process is going.

Pros: As you might guess from how often it?s recommended, it?s a fairly common technique. You will generally get a decent response from some companies (about five to ten percent, based on my experiences, will contact you back). Depending on the length of the relevant application forms, you can typically get two or three such applications done in an hour of job-applying.

Cons: You?ll have to spend more time for each application than The Blanket Method, with fewer responses per application than The Personal Approach. As the most commonly recommended application method, you?re more likely to blend in with the crowd. Filling out application forms, many of which start to blend together, can make for a very boring application period.

Best Used For: Jobs you?re interested in, but not absolutely in love with. As you search through job offers, you?ll likely come across some that sound extra appealing, and that?s the time to break out some of the methods discussed here. You?ll get much more consideration than using the Blanket Approach, but not as much as if you use?

Method Name: The Personal Approach

Details: This one takes some effort (and usually some flexibility in how you approach it). It starts by looking up one (or more) companies you?d be interested in working for, and trying to find out as much as possible about them. Then, you want get in touch with someone in power (not merely the HR department) at the company, preferably in a creative way that shows your enthusiasm for the company. Personal letters to the higher-ups (particularly when they are rarely contacted) can work, as can unique packages that demonstrate your knowledge of the company and your sense of wit/humor. You aren?t trying to apply immediately, per se, but just get your foot in the door and get attention from someone in power, whom you can then provide with your resume and other information to continue the job application process proper. (Basically, the sort of method detailed in How to Land Your Dream Job.)

Pros: You can really stand out from the crowd with this sort of method, which enables you to demonstrate your creativity and zeal for the job in one fell swoop. (You can also avoid the HR department entirely with your application, not bad for those who have skills that Human Resources just doesn?t appreciate.) Depending on just how you submit your initial interest, you can get very high levels of responses and sometimes even direct offers (although that?s exceedingly rare).

Cons: As you might guess, the level of time required for this method is much, much higher than any of the others covered so far. If you aren?t ready to spend a day or two (or even more) finding out as much as possible about your potential target, this isn?t the method for you. It can also prove impossible for some companies, as they don?t provide any contact information other than the official application procedures.

Best Used For: Your dream job. If there is a job (or company) that you really, really, REALLY want (or want to work for), and are willing to put plenty of time and research into getting it, this is one of the ways to maximize your consideration.

These are far from the only methods to consider; as mentioned, there are almost as many job application techniques to try as there are job application advisers (close to as many as there are jobs, it seems sometimes), so you can undoubtedly find other methods to try. Of course, if nothing works, there are further techniques to consider if you want to try something less orthodox. But that?s a topic for next week?

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