#JobSearch : How To Find A Job Looking In All The “Wrong” Places. The Old Ways is the Best Ways of Securing a Job in Today’s Market.
Over the past few months I’ve vocalized my thoughts on the current state of the job market and predicted what will happen next. I’ve discussed the trends— the tech layoffs, the flood of job applicants, the growing competition for remote work—and I’ve given job seekers strategies to take control of their careers despite today’s zeitgeist of overwhelming uncertainty.
It probably comes as no surprise that most of these strategies involve leveraging tools that help you stand out in today’s digital job market. After all, even older generations know a successful job hunt relies on mastering the newest technology.
An article published by AARP writes “Newspaper ads for openings have been replaced with online listings,and a computer is more likely to conduct the initial scan of your resume than a human being.”
Did I mention that article was published in 2008? Read that sentence with no context and it could very well pass as the broad opening to an article published this morning… But no, it’s been 15 years since newspapers stopped being the go-to for job listings. During that time, we’ve adopted other helpful gadgets like LinkedIn and Fiverr as well. Emails replaced letters and phone calls and referred job candidates to applications posted on company websites.
As technology took over the workforce, the places we once networked became desolate. To get a job in the modern workforce, a candidate must stand out in a pool of a thousand other digital profiles —and the survival of Darwin’s fittest is determined by LinkedIn hashtags and algorithms.
But old methods of job-hunting, though no longer popular, still exist. It’s because they are unpopular that they may very well be someone’s best shot at securing a job in today’s market. Instead of hitting you with a tech-savvy tip that will bring your LinkedIn profile to the top of employers’ feeds, I’m dishing out some old advice. This is the advice your parents heard from their parents, who likely heard something similar from their parents. It’s the advice that has been recited again and again, spit out and recycled, in one ear and out the other, passed along from generation to generation.
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I’ve edited some of these vintage job hunting tips slightly so they still apply to today, but for the most part, they’re the same as they were decades ago. They’re also great ideas to try out when your digital job hunt leaves you stuck.
Pick up the phone.
For many millennials and Gen Zers, few things are less unpleasant than calling someone on the phone. Not only is phone phobia a real thing, there are actually people out there who charge as much as $480 dollars an hour to help people overcome it.
This presents a significant opportunity for other job seekers, especially those from younger generations. Curious about what job opportunities are available at a company you’re interested in? Pick up the phone and call. There’s a good chance the first person who answers won’t have most of the information you’re looking for. Ask if there’s a hiring manager you can speak to or someone with more information who can give you a call back.
Even if you speak to someone who refers you back to information posted on the company’s website, you never know what conversations are happening back in their office. Going out of your way to call the company and inquire about positions shows them you have serious interest, and there’s a good chance your name will be mentioned around the office.
Visit the library.
With access to online PDFs and digital libraries, visiting the actual library has sadly become somewhat of a pastime. People don’t realize that some of the best things about the library have nothing to do with books—many libraries offer career services ranging from tips on looking for jobs to reviewing your resume and helping you prepare for an interview.
These resources are great for anyone to take advantage of, especially those who have been out of the job hunt for a little while. Handing in a resume that is not only updated with your relevant work experience, but also fits “with the times” can make all the difference when it comes to getting a response. Plus, with ATS tracking softwares filing through most resumes these days, experts from your local library will probably have a few tips to help yours stand out from the pile.
Spend time in third places.
Gyms, community centers, coffeeshops, local restaurants, places of worship —these are all third places, or places outside the office that are vital to the community. Often, third places are where friends gather and information is disseminated. Leave your office and take your laptop to a coffee shop or rock climbing gym instead.
Keep your eyes open for bulletin boards and flyers highlighting any help wanted signs. Start conversations with baristas and gym rats and see where they lead. A friendly encounter may just lead to your next interview.
Attend networking events.
Love it or hate it, networking is here to stay. After all, you cannot beat the power of human connection! Before LinkedIn allowed us to skip the awkward small talk and “connect” seamlessly, developing a strong professional network relied heavily on networking events and conferences. Don’t let the number of LinkedIn connections fool you – connections made through social media platforms are rarely as impactful as those developed in person. Do a deep dive on some of the professional groups in your industry and create a list of networking events to attend.
Show up in person and dress the part.
Job interviews and professional networking events are not first dates: showing up overdressed won’t make the situation awkward. In fact, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. When in doubt, wear a tie and fish through your closet for a pair of dress shoes.
Check the newspaper.
Despite what AARP said in 2008, companies still post job ads in newspapers. If you can’t find any in print, meet the employer halfway between an old-school tactic and tech-savvy maneuver– check what jobs newspapers have listed on their website.
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Forbes.com | March 14, 2023
