Applying to Jobs Online Leads to False Hope!

OK, that is a pretty challenging headline, especially from me. I am a positive career coach, and I don't mind some adversity. But lately, many job seekers I am working with find themselves trapped in the "online application loop". In the world of job searching, continually applying to positions that you are perfect for online can lead to false hope. Keep in mind, you may be perfect for the position, but online application systems are in place to filter out as many applications as possible! Some postings receive as many as 1,000 resumes!


Here's a reality check from me, an ex-human resource manager (trust me, HR is not always your friend!)

Reality Check Rules:

 

1.  By the time a job is posted, it's the firm's "last resort" choice of filling an open position. Firms would much rather get a "word of mouth referral" than pull in a candidate from the Internet.

2.  A lot of the time, the position has been filled, but the firm must go through the "effort" of appearing fair and non-discriminate by posting the job publicly. Your chances are pretty much zero of getting an interview.

3.  The job posting is way, way outdated. More often than not, a job is posted by HR, then it is filled 24 hours later, and the HR dept. forgets to take the posting down. Online application systems are computerized, and HR never even sees the applications that come in. Out of sight is out of mind.

4.  Computerized online applications systems! The main purpose of a computer software screening system is to screen candidates out by a keyword match. If your resume doesn't hit 95-99%, your resume goes into the "reject" file. You may get a courtesy reject email, but due to the high volume of applicants, you may not.

5.  Statistics show that there are approximately 600 candidates for every job posted. The odds then, are not very favorable for your online resume being reviewed.

Studies show that 2-4% of candidates using the Internet to get a job are successful. 67% of job seekers have success in finding a job by getting personally recommended. So, if you find yourself scouring the big job boards daily, and endlessly applying to the perfect job, for zero results, STOP. There are many highly effective ways to use the job boards, but applying to jobs is not one of them.

Connect with me to learn how to advance your job search quickly without frustrating online applications systems! 
http://www.kristienigl.com. or CoachKristi@kristienigl.com