McCrabby's Job-Search Pet Peeves
Do you have more?
Dear McCrabby -
I saw the LinkedIn comments on your "Reject the Rejection" post (NOTE: Click HERE to read "Reject the Rejection Letter") and it became apparent how many job-seekers are frustrated and ticked off about the results of their job search.
What do you think bugs them the most?
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Job Openings, Job Leads and Job Connections! |
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Dear Bug,
We were going to limit this to ten, but we have so many, or people may give us more, so we may publish Part II soon.
NOTE: Part II was published on February 24 (PART II)
Some common complaints include the following, with a little bit of perspective on each:
1. I never hear anything back when I call, or send in resume information -- Recruiters are getting thousands of resumes, and can't realistically respond personally to all of them. Many will have an auto-reply, and many won't ever reply. This is an argument for making your resume and cover letter stand out; force them to respond by being unforgettable. If you want some guerrilla tips, McCrabby works with the guys who wrote the book, Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters, 2.0, and can offer some advice..
2. I get 100 bogus offers for every real job I find -- This is an ongoing problem. As a job-seeker, you are susceptible to "get rich quick" offers, or "make money on the Internet" recommendations. McCrabby has gotten many, one already this morning where we could make several thousand dollars a week, with no education and no experience, forwarding money on to other folks. Don't you wish we'd gotten that offer before the funds ran out? Remember, if it sounds to good to be true... you know.
3. I keep coming in second -- You may really come in second, or EVERYONE might be coming in second, since it's an easy line that recruiters think you might like to hear. Either way, there is only one job, so second isn't so good. Punch up your resume and the way you deliver it.
4. I lost out when they hired internally -- This also happens quite often, and is sometimes true and sometimes not. Just remember to be gracious, because they may look again, or have another position opening up; or, the guy they hired may not work out. Keep looking, keep pitching..
5. They were just collecting resumes; why do they do that? -- McCrabby doesn't know why they do that. When they can get thousands in a day, it doesn't seem to make much sense, but we're guessing it's so they can cherry-pick some talent for a future search.
6. I hired a resume spreader firm and didn't get a single interview -- Some of these may work, but I've never heard of one. McCrabby tried one (paid $40) for one a few months ago, and it sent resumes to 70 places or so, and no one ever heard from them again, except to renew. Most people don't have confidence and resume "spreaders" seem to usually be a waste.
7. I went to a "free" career group, and they tried to sell me books and tapes -- Keep in mind that some of these people do this for a living, and that IS there living. If they do the seminar for free, and then offer books and tapes, you don't need to buy them and you got a free seminar. Some of these people are good, and while there may or may not be value in a particular presentation, they do offer another view, or a new idea, or a tip, and that may have value.
8. Why does every resume writer want to change what the last one just recommended? -- McCrabby once had a resume-writer say in our GET TO WORKshop, "there's only one way to do a resume correctly." Some of those writers believe that, and when they look at someone else's recommendations, it may not fit their mold, so it's wrong. Have you ever had an electrician out to fix something, and they tell you how the "last guy" messed everything up and did it wrong? Same concept here. There is no absolutely correct way to write a resume. Get as much advice as you can, make it accurate and quantitative, and make it stand out, in as many ways as you can. Make it fit YOU.
9. I got a call at 6 p.m. for a phone interview -- You can absolutely ask for a different time, usually by saying that you are in the middle of something, and as much as you want to talk to the person, you would be much better equipped for the conversation if he could let you choose another time (soon).
10. I went to a job fair and half the advertised employers weren't there -- Most job fairs don't pay many dividends, but how do you know which one might be good? If you went, and only four employers show up, instead of the 22 advertised, at least you can talk to four. You can always find the negative. Look for the positive, and make it count.
Want to add a few? Leave a comment or email McCrabby; we'll see if we get enough good ones to post Part II.
And, good luck on your search. They say it's getting better; McCrabby's in a wait-and-see mode on that one.
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- McCrabby's LinkedIn -- http://www.linkedin.com/in/cmacrae
- McCrabby's Support (group): http://lnkd.in/4TkF7_
- McCrabby's Twitter -- http://twitter.com/curtmacrae
- McCrabby's website -- www.humantransitions.com
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McCrabby's office is always open - email your issues/questions/rants/vents to mccrabby@humantransitions.com
McCrabby's office is always open - email your issues/questions/rants/vents to mccrabby@humantransitions.com