Are You Sure You’re Job Searching Correctly? If So, What’s Not Working for You?(Part 2) The ‘Visible’ Job Market
Bernard Pearce
THE EXECUTIVE CAREER TRANSITION SPECIALIST ? Your essential bridge to realising your true value; the vital missing link in your search to secure the right job.
Last week we looked at whether your CV was presenting you in the best possible way
This week, we’re looking at how you are using your CV and your general approach to the job market
Let’s start with probably the most important point to understand.
You can’t change how the job market operates, so learn how to succeed
Don’t waste your time and energy fighting it!
I know job searching is frustrating, everyone finds it frustrating – and you have probably already found elements of your job searching frustrating, but the more you complain about them, the more of a distraction they become – and you need to remain focused!
Research continues to inform that only 35% of jobs are filled through the ‘visible job market
So, you shouldn’t be spending much more than 35% of your job searching time on them!
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Bernard Pearce is The Executive Career Transition Specialist. He works with executives, like you, to transform your job search success and help you to secure great jobs. He helps to protect or restore your self-esteem and self-confidence. He helps you to become who you are capable of being; and experience pride in winning against competitive odds.
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Remember the odds are always against you!
It’s important to understand the numbers of the visible job market game.
1.????If 100 people apply for a job – only 20 are likely to get through the first filter. That’s an 80% failure rate at the first hurdle!
2.????Of those 20, maybe only 5 will make it to the company interview. That’s a 75% failure rate at this stage and a 95% failure rate so far!
3.????Of the 5 people interviewed – only 1 is likely to get a job offer. That’s another 80% failure rate at this stage – and a 99% failure rate overall.
How disheartening is that?
Well, rework those figures with maybe 600 or 1000 applicants and you start to appreciate the scale of the challenge you face.
If your CV isn’t good enough to get you invited to interview, it’ll be like swimming through treacle, or climbing Everest in flip-flops!
Can you explain why you should be short-listed?
Are you crystal clear on what you bring to the party? What makes you worth the salary you seek? Why should they select you as a likely high-potential candidate?
Remember - Every time you respond to an advertised vacancy, countless numbers of others are doing the same. And they all want an interview and job offer too!
Most will be able to meet the selection criteria. Most will be able to do the job to a degree. Most will claim to fit the cultural and working style searched for.
BUT most will fail to get as far as interview. Welcome to the real job search world!
What would you do differently if you were the Recruiter?
If you were on the receiving end of hundreds of applicants, would you plan on spending 2 – 7 seconds per application, on the first filter, or perhaps as much as 5 minutes.
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If you gave 5 minutes per application, that’s only 12 per hour – 8.5 hours for 100 applicants, or 42.5 hours for 500! They’ve probably got other work to do as well!
Theirs is an unenviable task. Is it any wonder they resort to automated systems to help filter?
You can see now how easy it is to be overlooked!!
So, what can you do about it?
Firstly, make sure your CV is as good as it should be. Not just as good, or as bad as others! It must present you for the value you will deliver. It’s your sales brochure. Would you really be tempted to employ the person in your own CV?
Secondly, don’t waste your time applying for jobs where you clearly don’t meet a significant level of the criteria
Thirdly, don’t job search like you did on leaving University. Don’t hope to be ‘given a chance’.
Fourthly, don’t just rely on being seen, or found. You need to be much more proactive.
Lastly. Don’t just rely on Advertisements or Recruitment Consultants! More next time!
Next week, we’ll look more closely at the ‘hidden job market!
If you’re struggling to get shortlisted for interview, or even failing to get past the first interview and want to ensure you’re getting everything right, we ought to speak.
Why face the future without being best prepared. Why risk your self-esteem, self-confidence, and your reputation?
Don’t let more time go by with no change, no progress, and no hope.?
If now isn’t the right time – when will be?
Bernard Pearce – The Executive Career Transition Specialist
E-mail: [email protected]
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