Online Applications Killing Your Spirit? The Grim Truth Behind the Numbers.

Does this sound familiar? You've been job hunting online for what feels like an eternity, and you finally stumble upon your dream job posting. You're so excited you feel like doing a little dance. You read the requirements, and lo and behold, you're the perfect fit! You excitedly submit your application and go to bed dreaming of your fancy new job title.

The next day, you wake up to an email, and it's not the "congratulations, you got the job!" message you were expecting. It's a polite, but soul-crushing, completely impersonal, auto-rejection letter. Talk about a buzzkill!

Take a deep breath, because the job hunt can be tough. The numbers don't lie: corporate job postings receive an average of 250 applications, and 58% of those meet the job requirements. That means you're competing with 145 other applicants who have, at the very least, the skills necessary to do the job. But here's the harsh reality: out of those 145 candidates, only 6 to 10 will make it to the phone screening, and a mere 3 to 5 will actually score an interview. That's right, folks, with those odds, even meeting the minimum job requirements gives you a slim 3% chance of getting an interview and a depressing 0.7% chance of getting the job (https://zety.com/blog/hr-statistics#recruiting-statistics).

Yup, you read that right. Even when you meet the minimum job requirements, you're more likely to get into Harvard than to get an interview (kudos btw if you actually did get in to Harvard). It's time to ask ourselves: are we willing to let online applications suck the life out of us when the odds are stacked against us?

Even when you meet the minimum job requirements, you're more likely to get into Harvard than to get an interview.

If you want to up your chances of getting a job, you need to try something different. Sure, applying online is easy and convenient, but it's also a huge waste of time. The fastest track to an interview is to network your way in or to use a headhunter. Data varies, somewhere between 7-10% of jobs are filled by someone cold-applying to an application. The bottom line is that applying to jobs online is the least effective way to get a job, but where candidates spend almost all their time.

So instead of endlessly scrolling through job postings and submitting your resume to the abyss, try flipping the script. Find an opportunity that excites you, then work on getting in front of the person who can refer you to the company or to the person scheduling an interview. It might sound crazy, but I've done it myself and it's a much more efficient approach your job search.

Applying to jobs online is the least effective way to get a job, but it's where candidates spend almost all their time.

Think of it this way: would you ask someone to marry you before going on a first date? Of course not! So why would you apply for a job before even talking to someone at the company? It just doesn't make sense.

Often the fastest way to get to an interview is with a good recruiter or headhunter. But even when times are good, most headhunters have more candidates than they have roles (myself included). By all means, you should have a network of good headhunters who are constantly searching for roles to fill. But it's probably not going to be enough.

by following this process, much of the time you'll only be filling out those applications as a formality after you've scheduled the interview.

Networking is the key to unlocking the doors of opportunity in the job market. I know, I know, the idea of networking might seem daunting, but trust me, it doesn't have to be as awkward as a middle school dance. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be an extroverted social butterfly or resort to creepy tactics to make connections. In fact, with a little bit of effort and strategy, you can build authentic and effective connections that will land you more interviews.

And here's the best part: by following this process, much of the time you'll only be filling out those applications as a formality after you've scheduled the interview.

That's right, folks, it's time to ditch the mindless scrolling through job boards! If you're ready to try a different approach to job hunting, check out this short ebook. It might just change your life (and your job prospects).