This is the finale of Sweetness' arc on how job hunting has changed in the internet age. Part 1 had the story of FG, one of Sweetness' research subjects. Part 2 dealt with a qualified candidate dealing with a company that had some incredible expectations and part 3 dealt with misleading job postings.
Part 4 began the discussion of job boards and Part 5 broadened the discussion to include filling out online job applications. Part 6 discussed what many job seekers feel is missing in the online process and Part 7 looked at online advice that didn't make sense in the online job hunting world.
Here Sweetness sums up her research and I ask HR people for some help.
Sweetness summarizes her research with "I’m sure these experiences aren’t a surprise to those of you looking for a job. It’s just too bad that things have gotten so complicated.
"In some follow ups interviewees found that their resumes didn't get through to the HR dept after applying online. And after not hearing from anyone some applicants decided to look up the companies phone numbers and do cold calls to see if they did receive the information. Some of the HR people were very helpful and discussed how to improve the resumes. Others just gave the usual lines of "we'll get back to you if your resume fits" and "we'll call you if it's something we can use".
While I'm not sure, it occurs to me that job seeking can be a psychologically vulnerable time for most searchers. I'll go with that assumption to invite HR people -- and I know you're busy -- to take that extra second to mentor people sending their resumes to you. Especially to mentor them if their resume is "close but no cigar".
We are here to help each other.
Sweetness is available for presentations on the topics of job hunting online and resume submission.
Links for this post:
- Sweetness' Research on Job Hunting arc
- Sweetness' Findings: Resumes Going the Way of the Dinosaur arc
- Resumes as Dinosaurs got some notice
- NewsVines discussion on these posts
Comment Preview