If your job search goes beyond 12 months, should you change anything?
Do job search tactics differ after twelve months? If so, what do you do differently once you have this big gap in your resume?
Good Answers (16)
Charles B
Sr. Technical Recruiter at Silicon Labs
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Peter,
If your job search goes beyond 12 months, should you change anything? The answer is yes, absolutely YES! But, the changes in your job search should not specifically rely on TIME,…but rather EFFORT and RESPONSE.
If you are actively searching for a job and not getting interviews, you should definitely change your strategy. If the effort you are putting in is minimal, say replying to a couple of job postings a week and you have not been called for an interview, the problem is most likely your effort, or lack thereof.
A job search is like looking for lost keys. If you check the most recent places that come to mind and do not find your keys, it is time to look elsewhere. The effort of continually looking back on your night table or on the credenza downstairs is not likely to result in success.
The same is true for a job search. If you have been only replying to positions listed on a job board and have not been called for an interview, it is probably time to look elsewhere. Like lost keys, you must look in areas you haven't searched thus far.
A job search requires that you continually look in new places, use new means to find opportunities, update your resume to comply with the skills employers are looking for, try new mediums...etc. Everyone knows the often used definition of insanity, "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result', but when it comes to a job search so many people fall into the cycle of replying to advertisements, not getting a response, and continually applying to similar job postings hoping for a different response.
A job search is best likely to succeed when it is proactive rather than reactive. Simply waiting for employers to respond is not the best approach.
Regards,
Chas.
James B
Electrical Engineer at UTC Power
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You should try everything. Cold calls, directed resumes, networking. And seriously look at what you are doing. You should be constantly reviewing what you do and the results you obtain - or fail to obtain.
I don't know that your strategy should change, only based on how long you are out of work.
Darlene Z
Managing Editor ResumeEdge.com at Petersons/NelNet
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In this economy, prolonged unemployment is more the norm than the exception. However, the resume can be changed somewhat to still interest a hiring manager or recruiter.
A candidate might want to try a combination resume...as the name implies, it's a combination of a functional resume and a reverse-chronological, offering the best of both worlds.
By listing skill sets and expertise first, the hope is that the hiring manager or recruiter will be so impressed, that individual will call the applicant in for an interview, despite the large gap in employment.
Some individuals start home businesses and list that on their resume to cover the gap. It's perfectly legitimate to be self-employed and to list it. However, I would caution anyone against making up a company name just to plug a gap.
As the economy worsens, the rules change. What once might have caused a hiring manager or recruiter to reject a client, might not happen as frequently now.
Darlene Zambruski
ResumeEdge.com, ResumeEdge.ca Managing Editor
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)
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Rita A
Job Search Coaching for $100,000+ Job Seekers. My clients get hired.
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Not changing is pure insanity. But the problem is, you don't know what you don't know. It isn't simply change for change sake. It is a matter of changing the right things.
Any search that goes beyond three months needs careful reevaluation. But, if you knew what the problem was, you'd have fixed it. It is time to consult with an expert.
Vet the advice from those offering information, webinars and books. If you consider a job coach, check references to assure yourself they had similar challenges to your own with good results.
The smartest thing you can do when faced with a prolonged search is ask for help. Just make sure you ask the right people. AND don't take advice just because it seems easy. Job search is not easy; if it were easy, it would be called it work.
To revitalize your job search based on what the hiring authorities say, read "Job Search Debugged." That's why I wrote it. Field-tested advice that works.
Rita Ashley, Job Search Coach
Author: Job Search Debugged
www.jobsearchdebugged.com
Links:
Christopher A
Certified Personal Coach and Executive Consultant
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Yes. I agree with Rita Ashley. A job search coach will help you to know when to make changes and what changes to make... and way before you get to 12 months.
- Christopher
Links:
Hi Peter,
The short and obvious answer is a big YES!
I don't know what kind of strategy you're thinking of as a base for the question, but here are few ideas:
1) Ask questions. Searching for jobs for 12 months it's likely you've applied for a multitude of positions. Pick a few positions that you really wanted, and either e-mail or call the one responsible for recruiting there and ask what you could do to improve your chances. If you've been called in to an interview, even better. They've seen more of you. Make sure you do this while you're still fresh in their memory. I would suggest you call and follow-up with an e-mail if they're positive to provide you with feedback. I've done this myself to a position I didn't get, and ended up doing work for the company because they liked my initiative (maybe just luck... but I don't think so).
2) Try different approaches in your cover letters. If you have more or less the same sounding cover letter every time with no luck, what's the harm in trying something else.
3) This one should probably be at the top, but I am assuming that every cover letter and resume is written with the position of interest in mind. If not, there's your answer. If you resort to the "change-the-company-name-and-push-send" strategy you haven't sent a lot of applications. You've sent one application a lot of times. The result is that the first one might have been more or less on target, while the other ones might even be complete misses.
4) See if you can schedule a meeting with a decision maker at a company where you'd like to work. Ask for 15 or 20 minutes. If the conversation goes well it will probably last longer, but make sure you don't overstay your welcome. I alse suggest you don't expect to leave your resume either. If they ask you for it, great. If you, well, you've made a lot more of an impression than other applicants to a job there later on.
5) Have other people read your cover letters. It helps, believe me. When I did this, my job interview percentage increased drastically. Other people see things we don't, they ask questions we don't, and they provide ideas for a better cover letter that we didn't think of. Accept it and do it.
6) Swallow you pride. If you're out of a job it can eat you up. Rather than looking forward for that chance meet at the grocery store, you're looking for the first aisle to hide behind in order to dodge the "so, what are you doing these days" question. Nobody puts you down more than yourself, and if people can help, they usually want to. If they know you're a capable person, they'll have no problem giving your name to people in their network.
Hope there's some value here.
- Lars-Christian Elvenes
Darrell Z. D
High Performance Resume Writer at RighteousResumes.com ~ Invites always welcomed
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Ancient Chinese Proverb: "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." Today it is all about learning, adapting and changing. Obviously, seeking professional help makes it so much easier for today's job hunters.
Most job hunters know enough to change their game plan, marketing and upgrade their career documents way before then. A lot more folks are asking for help earlier now. Since the economy and stock market has picked up a bit. If you are not getting interviews, your resume and cover letters are likely not making the grade. It is a good idea to have them reviewed by a professional. Almost all quality resume services offer complimentary resume reviews these days.
Attention job hunters read my free info articles titled: "Best Interview Success Tip - You Can Learn How to Market #1" and "Resume 101 - Will a Professional Resume Writer Help Get Me Hired?" My links are below.
Links:
Mark W
Owner, Coach,Staffing Consultant, Trainer
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Peter
I know that when you ask this question you did not expect this to turn into a forum for coaches to hype their wares; however I have to agree with Rita and others. There are so many things you need to change and do that we cannot even scratch the service here. It is far more complicated than just changing your resume. That is probably the smallest change. If you do not hire a professional who has spent his/career mastering the job search science I guarantee that your results will not change. I have three suggestions for you.
1) I don't know how you are going about networking but it is an art that you must master and I'm not talking about talking to everybody you know. Eighty percent of the jobs filled in the next 12 months will be filled through networking; targeted, strategic and very aggressive networking. You should have a goal of talking to a certain number of senior decision makers. I recommend that my clients get through to 10 decision makers who they have never talked to.
2) Interview a few coaches to find one who meets your needs, budget, values and you feel you can trust.
3) My blog will be very helpful. I have written many articles full of information, tips and tools that most coaches would charge for. If you decide that you cannot afford a coach you can still make a lot of progress using the information there. There is information about looking for a coach.
Peter I wish I could just give you a simple, short but that does not exist. Whatever you do I wish you the best of luck.
Links:
I've coached job seekers for over 16 years and am a self-employed independent consultant, so I'm always looking for work. I've seen many recessions come and go and in my experience, it doesn't matter if the economy is hot or cool, the most important job search tool we have in our toolbox is ourselves.
I suggest to job seekers that they become information seekers. Target 3-5 companies and make an appointment with the head of the department in which you would like to work. Design 5-10 key questions that will help you find out about the companies needs. Let them know that you are doing research with the goal of finding out their needs to see if there may be a way for you to help them now or in the future.
Be very professional in your approach and ask for 15 minutes of their time. Some will find the time for you, some will not. After meeting with them and finding out their needs, you can then send them a resume. You've now become a person, not a piece of paper, and your chances are much higher. It's also a way to find those jobs that aren't advertised anywhere. Remember that only about 25% of available jobs are advertised and you are competing with many, many people when you reply to them. Move yourself out of the pack. The time you spend targeting companies, setting up and conducting research interviews will be time well spent.
It's harder, because it means moving away from the computer and the newspaper and out of our comfort zone. That's why fewer people use this approach. I've seen it work over and over, for myself and for others. Good luck
Pooja B
Sales and Marketing at Dassault Systemes India Pvt Ltd
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You shouldn't wait for 12 months, time is very very precious. See for 2-3 months and take action if nothing happens. You need to - relook at your resume, make fresh efforts, start cold calling, browse the openings on internet, start sending your resume to prospective employers directly as some times companies do not go in for an advertisement for an opening, network, visit placement firms.
Don't let that "big gap" come in your resume. And even if you are not employed with any company, keep yourself occupied with some productive work to mention on your resume.
Trust that helps.
Regards,
Pooja
Martin P
PC Technician at Maricopa Intergrated Health Service at Tech One
Best Answers in: Business Development (1)
I agree a lot with some of the previous replies.
I am and have been working contract positions when they come up, which is something people should also consider if it's possible to find the type of work you're seeking on a short term/contract basis.
Volunteering is another way to begin networking if you can volunteer for an organization to maintain or enhance your skills and marketability.
Networking is also key as Mark mentioned it needs to be targeted, specific, and agressive, I've landed a few interviews in this manner, where I would get no response from an intial response to a job posting through a job board online alone.
Another way to reach past the 'gate-keepers' is through sites like LinkedIn where you can find those decision makers who are in charge of the department, or the hiring manager themselves.
I also worked with a career coach on my resume and had some guidance on interviewing.
Darlene mentioned using a combination resume, I haven't resorted to that yet, but don't feel the need to do so at this time either. I think most hiring managers know as everyone else does, how tough this economy has been, especially in specific industries and areas of the country, and gaps in employment are not as big an issue as they had been in the past.
If someone did ask me what I've been doing the last 6+ months, I have several things I can mention including self improvement through education, self-employment, volunteering, and working contract positions, learning new skills, etc. The list goes on.
First of all, if your job search goes beyond 3 months, you should revise your strategies. Take another look at the types of jobs you're applying for; perhaps you've been setting your sights too high or low. Are you sending enough resumes out per week? If it's not at least 20, you're in trouble. Are you using all the tools at your disposal, such as recruiters and online job distribution?
After examining and reworking your strategies, if you still end up with a full-year gap on the resume, there are ways to handle it. A professional writer can use special formats and statements. If you've been doing any type of side work within your profession, we can develop a consulting section. Finally, we can reference it in the cover letter.
Ian R M
Recruiter
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The answer is - you should review it every 30days, and after 100days should be doing something voluntary as well as job seeking.
We can talk about various tactics and changes to a job search, but the most serious issue is your own mental state. I have noticed with most job seekers who have been looking for more than 3months, that after 10+ years of employment, all the rejection is not only unacceptable, but also for many results in the first signs of clinical depression. Let this continue, and you are looking at long term health problems over unemployment as your main concern.
My personal view is that voluntary work is a great way to combat two issues: it shows a potential employer that you did care and wanted to keep active; it keeps you engaged with the community.
My summary: keep active, keep looking, stay open, but mostly keep engaged - a combination of all four leads to employment
Good Luck!
PS: another good question Peter - when is that book coming out?
Links:
Bryan E
ABC Training Solutions. Design and delivery of in-house training courses and high quality training materials
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Try offering yourself for free work experience in an organisation / job that you are interested in- even if it's for a few hours a week, it shows commitment and it's something to fill the gap in the resume.
Hope that helps
Happy Days!
Bryan
Links:
Gotta think like a marketer because in essence that's what you are doing. As part of the plan, I would develop a set of objectives, goals, strategies, and metrics to measure effectiveness. Then optimize the plan as you go.
Like poorly planned marketing initiatives, without a clear set of realistic goals and metrics determined up front, you will spin your wheels, and derail efforts when perhaps certain efforts may lead to the expected result.
A 12 month search should probably be an expectation as there a lot of factors that go into making the job a right fit - both for the hiring company and the candidate- especially when relocation, family situations, change in cost of living and other life factors get into the discussion. Again, a plan would take into account market conditions and with the right level of effort should yield positive indicators along the way.
Liz D
Seeking position combining training, organization development and change management.
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Hopefully you don't have the big gap because you've been consulting, networking and volunteering. My job search tactics are always evolving, so I don't see the 12 month mark as any different. I keep doing whatever is working, and change up whatever isn't.
The one thing many people end up changing is that they get out from behind their computers and actually start talking to people. If it's easy for you to apply for jobs online, it's easy for everyone else. What takes more time, commitment and follow-up is actually going out and meeting people and finding ways you can help them (and each other) meet goals.
Cheers!
Liz duToit
