Job Hunting Tips

CareerBuilder internal data suggests that 34% of candidates that try to apply for a job don't because the application process is too much of a hassle. 24% report the "apply now" link is broken and 21% report that the long application process isn't worth their time.

My clients tell me unbelievable stories about how difficult some companies make the online posting process. It seems like a lot of great candidates are getting away because they can't be bothered with most company's poorly worded job postings and frustrating posting processes.

There are many values that guide our decisions and direction in our personal lives. Some of us are strong proponents of eco-friendly products. Some of us insist on buying American-made products. Others will not associate with companies who have certain political connections. The myriad of values can be a direct path to the type of companies we'd like to work for, but also can create roadblocks to others.

A few weeks ago I wrote a post titled WRONG QUESTION: "Do you know a recruiter who specializes in..." I have heard this question since I started my company, almost four years ago, and it really bugs me. It *might* be a good question to ask IF you know what to do when you make contact with the recruiter, but from what I've seen, most people don't know what to do when they make contact!

In that post I told you to "NETWORK" with the recruiter. In this post I'll take it to the next level and give you some ideas on how to network with them.

A close contact of mine was hiring for a position in his department at a Fortune 500 firm. He had spent a great deal of time wooing one candidate in particular who initially wasn't sure he wanted to leave his current job or relocate his family but said he might do so for the right opportunity.

After passing several rounds of interviews, it became clear he was the front runner. But the candidate kept asking for more time to make the decision, stalling with more questions, and asking for more in his compensation package, with my contact doing everything he could to accommodate.

Rewind to four years ago. I was a new job seeker trying to figure out what the heck a job search was (actually, I was really just trying to figure out how to get a job, but no one was falling all over themselves to offer me a job). I knew about job boards, of course, and figured that's where my job leads would come from. I knew I needed a resume (hard to apply to a job without a resume). I knew I should network (ugh). But that's about it - as a job seeker that seemed to be all I had that I could call a "tool."

Today I have a better understanding of the job search, and tools you could use. Here are tools I recommend:

Many of you have had unique experiences working with recruiters during a job hunt. Some good and some not so good. Like every profession, there are "good people" and then there are others. You need to do your own homework to ensure you are working with a reputable recruiter. At the same time, you need to do what is expected of you to avoid harming your chances to land a job they are working on. After all, they hold the keys to the opportunity. It is essential for you to have a great working relationship.

With this in mind, I recently polled my recruiter community to find out their top "pet peeves" about working with candidates. I know you have you own list for them, but theirs is a good one to read to ensure you are a stand-out candidate. I have included their Twitter name so you can ask them follow-up questions if you like. This is a smart and reputable bunch. Heed their advice and you'll be glad you did!

A man who was looking for help from an employment agency but was turned away, was recently accused of fatally stabbing the agency owner in her apartment in Flushing, New York. According to the police, the suspect previously served time for assaulting the victim and had multiple restraining orders taken out against him. Police believe that he held a grudge because he was unable to find a job.

We all have heard that expression. I know I have. Usually when I'm brave enough to sing outside the privacy of the shower. The advice is a little more serious when it comes to a job search. Many job seekers are aware it is better to look for a new job when you still have one. And yet, some do not fully appreciate the reasoning behind this logic. There are several reasons as to why you should hang on to your current job while searching for a new one.