Successful job hunt needs human connection
Dear J.T. & Dale: Anyone out there been unemployed for nine months? Granted, I’ve been trying to make a career change and wasted quite a few months “spraying and praying” (213 job applications online; 159 with zero response). I feel paranoid sometimes, like there’s something out in the virtual world about me that’s negative. More than likely that’s not true, but the job search is challenging. — Kenneth
DALE: After nine months, you should start to worry that something has gone terribly wrong, but it is NOT something lurking in the virtual world. (Google yourself and confirm that.) The answer to the question “What are people saying about me?” is almost always “Nothing.”
J.T.: Yes, while it can feel like the professional world has blacklisted you, I promise you that’s not the case. The reality is your personal brand just isn’t established deeply enough to get you the results you want. Think of this: If you were to ask 100 people you know to describe not just what you do for work, but how you create value for your employers, how many do you think could articulate it correctly? That’s why regularly posting valuable content on social media is so important — it helps all the people in your life recognize and understand what you do for work and why it matters to you. The same goes for networking. You have to get out there and have meaningful conversations so that you make a memorable impression. Then the next time that person hears about an open job, he or she thinks of you. Or even better, when you reach out to this person about a job at the company, he or she is comfortable recommending you. Don’t give up hope; just realize you’ve got to put even more effort into getting your brand out there!
DALE: That’s terrific advice for anyone, but I worry about what you’ll do with it, Kenneth. I fear you might focus on “posting valuable content” and spend months alone at your computer working on your brand. However, anytime you’re making a career change, and especially after a spell of unemployment, you need to focus on human connections. Sure, spend a little time on social media, but you need more facetime than Facebook. Here’s my goal for you: You want to hear about a job, not just see one posted somewhere. If it’s posted, they’ll get applications from people with ideal backgrounds in the field. That’s not you. You need to hear about a job, coming in as an honorary insider.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m going to have a telephone interview for the job I really like. It is the only interview for them to select the candidate. The shift was not specified, but it