Contrary to popular belief, advertised jobs are a goldmine for job seekers.
Some data shows that being referred to hiring managers is the best way to get hired and that applying online as the worst way to get hired. Referral sources might include employees at the company, trusted outside sources, or even knowing the hiring managers. Based on data like this, job seekers are advised to not apply online and to focus solely on networking to gain access to hiring managers.
Other data shows applicants who apply online through job search engines, job boards, and company career pages fill approximately 40% of open jobs. Based on data like this, my own experience, and the experience of many in my professional network, successful job searches usually require effective use of multiple channels.
I have met people at higher levels (VP and above) who always landed by networking and never applied for advertised jobs. In contrast, I changed careers three times and received more than six job offers by applying for advertised jobs—without connections in the organizations.
Most landing stories I’ve heard resulted from a combination of applying and networking. As technology-enabled recruiting practices proliferate, job seekers who don’t use online channels are missing a primary pathway to land their next positions.
So, how can you leverage these distinct data- and experience-based views to work in your favor?
The big picture is to use online sources to explore and discover options, find specific jobs to pursue, create and apply with superior marketing materials, and then network into companies to reach hiring managers or other people in the hiring chain.
Watch for Part II of How to Mine for Gold in Online Job Posts: 5 Steps to Land a Sweet Spot Job.
In the meantime, here are three compelling reasons to combine online searches and applications with networking:
- A proven way to network into companies is to find and apply for specific jobs. Then use connections or introduce yourself to hiring managers, HR, and recruiters.
- Without finding advertised jobs you’re interested in, networking into a company is like shooting in the dark. You have nothing specific to aim or ask for.
- Without exception, everyone I networked with in companies where I was interested in a job advised me to submit my application and continue networking.
Read Losing Your Job & Finding Yourself to learn more about these 5 Steps and other proven job search methods.