Does the ‘walk in and apply’ approach work anymore?
Dear J.T. & Dale: I keep reading that applying online to jobs is a waste of time. If that’s the case, then how do you get a job today? Do you just walk in and apply? What actually works? — Rafael
J.T.: I wouldn’t suggest walking in and applying. These days, it’s seen by most employers as overly aggressive or even desperate. Unless it’s a retail or hourly job, then I would focus on networking your way in.
DALE: I’d say that you’d just walk in and apply only if there’s a “Now Hiring” sign out front. Even then, if it’s a large organization, you’ll likely be directed to a computer station to do an online application. However, if you’re friendly and inquisitive, you’ll meet an employee or two and might have a chance to ask, “How did you get your job here?” and maybe even ask to meet someone who does hiring. Doing so amounts to a kind of guerrilla networking and, hey, that’s a start. Meanwhile, your networking plan would involve coming up with a list of companies where you’d like to work, and then starting to make connections.
J.T.: You take a target company and find someone you know who works there, or find someone in your network who knows someone who works there, and you ask for an introduction. You’d also put together a good cover letter that explains why you are passionate about what the company does and why you feel as if you are already a part of their tribe. Employers like to hire people who self-identify with their mission and corporate culture. Eighty percent of all jobs today are gotten via referral. So if you can impress them via your connection, you’ve got a better chance than getting in through an online application process.
Dear J.T. & Dale: My boss just hired a new “assistant,” and I was told that the new person would back me up. There were times over the past few months where I got in the weeds and couldn’t get my work done or made some mistakes. I personally think she’s been hired to replace me. Should I confront my boss about this? — Marissa
J.T.: I think “confront” is the wrong word. I would share your concern. Ask your boss for a meeting and say: “This is really hard for me. While I’m so grateful for the additional help you’ve hired and think __ is great, it makes me worried that perhaps the real goal is to replace me. I know we had a few missteps several months back, but I hope it didn’t make you rethink my abilities to do the job. I love working here and working for you. I want to stay long-term and would hate to be blindsided if the goal is to let me go. Do I have anything to be worried about?” This way, she can hear the sincerity in your voice and hopefully feel more inclined to be honest with you. My hope is that she just realized you needed more help; if not, you’ll likely be able to tell based on her reaction. If you’ve worked together for a while, I’d guess that you can read her well enough to know what’s up based on her reaction.
DALE: Well ... that approach certainly would get you an answer. But I think this is like those courtroom dramas where the rule for lawyers is to never ask a question they
don’t know the answer to. It sounds to me like your management is intending to replace you, and bringing up the issue may just accelerate them doing so. I can’t envision your boss saying, “Yeah, the plan was to dump you, but now that you’re so sweet and sincere, we’ll keep you and fire the new person.” Not going to happen. So, I’d recommend that you put off the conversation J.T. is suggesting and use the time to get aggressive about a job search. Once you have options, that’s the time to “share your concern” with your boss.
Jeanine “J.T.” Tanner O’Donnell is a career coach and the founder of the leading career site www.workitdaily.com. Dale Dauten is founder of The Innovators’ Lab and author of a novel about H.R., “The Weary Optimist.” Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via email, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.