Job hunting tips from the gainfully employed

Professional HR people may disagree with these suggestions (or may want to add to them) but in my experience this is what works.  Your mileage may vary.

Maybe I should go into HR..

Long story short: ready to try something different, live somewhere different.

As many of you also know I have been toying with the idea of selling my business to do something different.  Not sure I want to start another business so that means working for "the man".

I know a lot of people are unemployed.  And this is not a gab against anyone who cannot find work, for everyone has their own story and reasons, but overall I'm really surprised at the difficulty that some people having finding a job.

In the last 9 months I have had no less than 6 offers, 15-20 phone interviews (I had 3 this week), 6 in person interviews (all resulted in good offers that I turned down for other reasons) and countless jobs pitched to me that I really had no desire to peruse.  I'm in a really interesting position as I do not have to "settle" and am looking for that perfect position.

So why have I been so successful at this when other are having issues?  You mean besides my dashing good looks and charming personality?  Honestly it's the way I look for these positions.  I'm going to share some of the things that have brought me success.  I hope it'll help some of you who are looking.

1.  Forget the job boards.  Sure, take a few moments a week to look at Indeed (it scours all the major boards, one stop shopping) but that's what EVERYONE is doing.  Don't waste too much time searching and searching.

2.  Don't apply for everything.  Recruiters talk.  Your name will get around as someone who is desperate.

3.  Try craigslist.  Some smaller companies cannot (or will not pay) the fees that the big job boards want.  Craigslist is free.  Use http://www.allofcraigs.com/to search multiple cities.  In fact I have hired 3 people for my company from craigslist ads.

4.  Network.  Go to local manufacturing/banking/your field here meetings and get to know people.  Use LinkedIn.  Grow you network.  If you find a position you are interested in (wherever you may) use LinkedIn to find the hiring manager, or the position to which it will report, and write them.  Apply in the normal methods but a personal note will make you stand out.

5. Research: Find the companies in your target area that you'd like to work for.  Go to their websites.  Many times they have positions on their website that are not on the job boards.

6.  Cold call.  This is probably the best tip I can give.  Find a company you are interested in.  Learn about them; their history, future plans, everything you can.  Find a person in a position of seniority.  Write then an email, introducing yourself and background, telling them what you can do to help fulfill their goals (specifically) and then ask if they would be interested in having a conversation about the possibility of their company needing someone with your skillset. 

This takes a LOT of talking.  It takes a LOT of networking.  You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince(ss).

However, I have "created" at least 3 positions based on this tactic.  Companies that did not have a formal position open, created, or opened a position to speak to me about.  Others took the time to have a phone call with me and at the very least I created a new network connection.  This is not a high percentage method but if you focus on the right companies it can be very effective.  People are impressed with employees who show drive and initiative.

This is a great tool to check email addresses.  Once you know one email address at a company you can guess the others and then check to see if it's good... http://verify-email.org/

Allof this takes time.  If you are not working at finding a job at least 30 hours a week you are not trying hard enough.  Finding a job is a full time job.

Professional HR people may disagree with these suggestions (or may want to add to them) but in my experience this is what works.  Your mileage may vary.

Long story short: ready to try something different, live somewhere different.

Colorado is calling Bud. The weather is beautiful.

I am really struggling with this... not for me but my Sister. She has been going on 3 years now. IT stuff, very intelligent. Finally used up everything and is living with me. I have never had a problem, and I am really struggling with understanding. I don't get it.

Colorado is calling Bud. The weather is beautiful.

I am really struggling with this... not for me but my Sister. She has been going on 3 years now. IT stuff, very intelligent. Finally used up everything and is living with me. I have never had a problem, and I am really struggling with understanding. I don't get it.

Find me a mechanical startup near the front range, I'll start packing.  Too bad they are all internet companies..

I'm in the process of interviewing candidates right now for a position.  I have turned away 3 qualified people because they smoke.

QUIT SMOKING!!!!!!

(wouldn't have expected this one to make it on to a tri board, but for those who might talk to relatives.....)

may i ask why?  is it a healthcare cost thing or a lost productivity thing?  or just a personal preference?  or hygiene?  how else would you know they smoke unless they straight up smelled...

may i ask why?  is it a healthcare cost thing or a lost productivity thing?  or just a personal preference?  or hygiene?  how else would you know they smoke unless they straight up smelled...

I'll straight up ask in an interview if they smoke.  Right now I'm just telling recruiters not to send me any smokers.  We do temp to hire when we can, and we'll find out eventually.  A few reasons: 1)Productivity:  they take smoke breaks that make them unavailable.  2) team unity:  constant breaks can cause friction b/w co-workers.  We currently have a culture that doesn't take breaks or lunch and it works pretty well.  They are allowed to, just no one does. 3) it smells

Healthcare is a secondary concern, but since our healthcare is privately funded, it should probably be a primary concern.  I don't really care what they do, to be honest, but that doesn't mean that I have to work with them.

Ironically every one that works here (me included) is a former smoker.

no breaks no lunch?  yeah, even as a non smoker, i would not be a fit for your culture!  former smoker as well, and it's funny you mention the resentment issue - the ONLY reason i became a regular smoker (rather than just an occasional cig when drinking) was because at my waitressing job the ONLY way to get a break was a smoke break!  and waiting tables was hard work!  yes i will sit my butt down in the back room and smoke one!

You must not be unionized

I completely understand the "smell" thing - my nose is fairly sensitive and 2nd hand smoke gives me headaches, red eyes, etc. But is that  a legit and legally-okay justification to not hire someone because they "smell?" What if they were gawd-awful perfume, or don't wear deodorant? Not hired?