In this article (Why Networking is Overrated), Marty Nemko advises job hunters to focus on creating a winning “application” rather than networking for a gig.
“If you don’t have a great network and dislike schmoozing, you’ll land a job faster if you devote most of your job search time to writing top-of-the-pile applications for well-suited job openings.” (Kiplinger)
It’s as if he had never heard of Applicant Tracking Systems (which tend to strip out cover letters) or EEO Regulations. Nemko advises the development of a cover letter. The idea is nice but ineffective in today’s market.
Then, he suggests:
“If you make a good first impression and can think on your feet, in addition to answering ads, contact employers who are not advertising a job opening. Make a list of 25 employers you’d like to work for, and phone or send each an email…” (Kiplingers)
Or, what we commonly think of as , um, networking.
Job hunters are routinely fed a constant stream of this sort of contradictory crap. Imagine…an article called “Why Networking Is Overrated” that recommends a half-a$$ed form of networking.
People rarely get jobs from job boards. A job board is a lead generation engine for job hunters, not a magic slot machine. Information submitted to a job board ends up in Resume Databases around the globe. The decision to investigate a resume is made after there are enough responses to ensure apples to apples comparisons.
The best strategy for finding a job is:
- Figure out what you want to do
- Figure out where you want to work
- Find out who works there
- Figure out how to get to know them
- Get to know them
- Understand what will make them successful
- Propose things to help them be successful
