What to Do When Your Job Hunt Just Isn't Working

Hello Everybody,

I will be covering chapter 6 of What Color is Your Parachute, What to Do When Your Job Hunt Just Isn't Working. It's frustrating. You keep looking, but sometimes things just keep falling through on you. And it's hard, but never give up. Figure out what is in your control and try a different approach. Work harder at a different strategy, not just work harder in general.

There are two ways to hunt for a job. One is the traditional route which you have probably already been doing because, well, it's the traditional way to look for a job. But there is a second way to job hunt and it's called The Parachute Way. In doing The Parachute Way, you begin with yourself instead of the job-market. If you have the book check out the chart on page 101 to get more in depth idea of what the author means by saying The Parachute Way. This second way of job hunting works about 50% of the time when the traditional way falls through.

The Twelve Best and Worst Ways to Look for a Job
(Listed from least effective to most)

1. Looking for employers' job-postings on the internet. Works about 4% of the time. Most effective with tech related jobs.
2. Posting or mailing out your resume to employers. Works about 7% of the time. You also need to be careful when posting your resume online because once you're resume is out in the internet, it stays there. So if there is so much as a tiny fib on that resume, it can come back to haunt you years later.
3. Answering local newspaper ads. Works between 5 - 24% of the time.
4. Going to private employment agencies or search firms for help. Works between 5 - 28% of the time. This is due to the differences in staffing, some companies have incredibly competent staff, others don't.
5. Answering ads in professional or trade journals, appropriate to your field. Works about 7% of the time.
6. "Job Clubs". Works about 10% of the time. More like a job-search support group than anything, which can still be helpful and important, you always need support when going through something as stressful as a new job-hunt.
7. Going to the state or federal employment office. Works about 14% of the time.
8. Going to places where employers pick up workers. Works about 22% of the time. Best for union members or day-laborers.
9. Asking for job-leads. Works about 33% of the time. This is when you simply ask family, friends, neighbors, connections on LinkedIn, or whoever if they hear of anything to let you know.
10. Knocking on the door of any employer, office, or manufacturing plant. Works about 47% of the time. Works best with small employers of about 25 people or less.
11. Using the Yellow Pages. Works about 65% of the time. Call them, set up appointment, go visit, and explore whether they are hiring or not.
12. The Parachute Approach. Works about 86% of the time.

Job-Hunting methods were not created equal.

Good luck job-hunters!

Until Next Time,

Caitlin Campbell