Personalize Your Job Hunt

Most people who are job-hunting use career sites, other online resources, head-hunters, networking and send out zillions of résumés. With so many out of work it seems like those who find a job have hit on some magic formula. If you aren’t one of the lucky few, maybe it’s time to shake it up a bit. Why not try the old-school 1:1, in-person approach?

Personal Touch

A recent WSJ article described how 97-year-old Lillian Brownstein landed a job in 1938 by knocking on doors in an office building in New Jersey. One company she spoke to had just fired their secretary and hired Brownstein after a typing test. Now I’m not suggesting you just drop by companies and ask to speak to someone about a job. These days, the receptionist would probably call security.

But try to make the job-search more personal. According to the article above, only 9% of people looking for job opportunities think to contact relatives and friends. Instead 51% are opting for looking at ads and sending in applications. Remember that referrals from someone internal at a company or a trusted client will give you an edge.

Word-of-Mouth

If you read my posts you know that I really don’t like networking (it’s the introvert thing), but I force myself to dutifully grab my business cards, put on something a notch above my work-at-home “dressy” sweats and head out to functions with potential income-producing contacts. Being a freelance writer, my networking is often stopped dead in its tracks by the “Oh, have I got a book to write!” conversation. But I forge on because I do occasionally pick up work at these things.

Social Media Marketing

Not quite the same as face-to-face, but working the social media networks is a great way to get the word out that you’re looking for a job. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect when I recently decided to update my LinkedIn profile. I found out shortly after that a friend had mentioned me to her boss and he had checked me out on the site. There’s a nice potential gig opp. Oh, here’s a tip – if you have your settings only allowing your contacts/connections to see your profile, you’re really missing out. Reset it to “public.”

Facebook is a good job-hunting/networking tool, too. But personally, I’d suggest not mixing your personal page with your business page. I find it a bit jarring to read what someone did over the weekend and then a later post that promotes their business. Set up a separate page for business.

So, tell me what personal touches you’ve used to job-hunt and/or network?

Written by regular Jobacle contributor Nancy LaFever.  Find more of her critical thinking on her blog, where she overanalyzes the bizarre grocery shopping lists of the single demographic.

Comments

[Victoria]

Excellent suggestions. Linked IN has served my business well for referrals and sales. I suggest adding great Groups to your Linked In to maximize contacts, let people get to know you in forums, and be able to tap the minds of fellow professionals to problem solve and get first news of new jobs and professional opportunities.

[Charles]

I just recently lost my job this summer. The entire call center I worked at was shut down, so there was almost a hundred of us that were still unemployed several weeks later. We formed a facebook group for ex employees of the company and post job opportunities as well as success stories. Group members that have found work are helping others get a job where they are at. So far about a dozen people have found a job through the group.

[Christina]

I totally agree, using social media to find a job does really work. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN can land you really cool opportunities through these platforms.

I also agree referrals are a great way to get an "in" with the company--especially if your family member, friend or connect is a great employee.

Great post!

[Job Application Guy]

You can market yourself in social medias and networking. Post your experiences and what job do you want. In there, you've personalized your job seeking, you just need to wait for someone that is interested to hire you.

[Nancy]

Thanks to all who took the time to comment. I shouldn't have to add this addendum, but people really need to remember to watch the content of what they post in social media outlets! You never know who's following/researching you, etc.