Getting Out of the Online Application Rut

When I ask most exasperated job hunters about the job search strategies that they are using, they feel like they are doing everything. Yet, they are not getting interviews or sometimes even responses acknowledging the receipt of their job application materials.

Oftentimes, their job strategies are almost completely focused on online searches. This strategy makes sense when a person begins to search for a few reasons:

- It allows you see what positions are out there and what qualifications and experience are needed;
- It makes it easier to feel a sense of accomplishment in that you can apply to a large number of positions in a short period of time;
- You can do it any time of day or night.

However, the Department of Labor reports that this strategy is successful for job seekers about 5% of the time! This is not surprising for most career counselors because this is what we typically hear -- large amounts of job applications and a very low response rate from the employers.

Breaking the online application habit can be hard. It often feels like a security blanket. It easy, has the feeling of anonymity and you tend to feel a sense of accomplishment after sending off an application. But for the majority of job seekers, IT DOES NOT WORK.

The most successful techniques include:
1) Networking
2) Career Centers, Search Firms
3) Letter of Inquiry Writing Campaigns

These techniques, though, often push job hunters out of their comfort zone, which can be especially hard when you are feeling down on yourself because you are unemployed. These other job search techniques work better and often produce concrete results for your hard work and risk taking.

How do you get started breaking from your online job search habit?

First, start to limit your time online searching and applying. The time spent should be proportional to its success rate. For example, if 5% of job hunters find a position through online searches, then if you are spending 20 hours a week in your search, you should spend about 1 hour a week (5% of your 20 hour search time).

Second, try a new job search technique and try one that you may have some fear or concern about, but is not the technique that causes the most fear. Set up steps to approach this new technique and have some way of monitoring your progress (e.g., a career counselor or trusted friend who you report in to and will give you honest feedback). After you feel like you have gotten the hang of it, try another technique.

The best way to job search is to utilize a variety of methods and to spend more time on the methods that have a proven track record of working.

The tough aspect of other methods is that they usually require face-to-face, phone or email contact with individuals on a regular basis. Developing relationships with other people is the critical method for obtaining a job largely because human relationships and other's ability to know your skills sets, values and have a vested interest in you will put you in touch with the "hIdden job market" where many of the jobs are. People want to work with individuals they can trust and rely on and a recommendation from a trusted source is often where they find this. You have to be able to tap into this market, which means getting to know in a sincere way others.