July 29, 2010

Why is it so hard to find a job today?

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I continuously interview companies in the Puget Sound region and document their hiring process. I talk to VPs of HR, hiring managers, corporate recruiters, and headhunters about what has changed in the hiring world since late 2008, how the job market radically shifted in 2009 and how hiring will continue to change in 2010 and beyond.

If you've been job-seeking for months and haven't had good success, I'll show you why it's so hard to find a job today. In future posts, I'll cover what changes you need to make in your job-search strategy to overcome these challenges.

Too many resumes. The companies I interview share one thing in common. They're inundated with resumes. In fact in Puget Sound, there is an average of 900 resumes submitted per opening. A recent Wall Street Journal article mentioned last year's story about how Tacoma Public Utilities posted a water meter reader position on its website. More than 1,600 applicants applied for the $17.76 per hour position. I spoke to a client of mine today whose spouse was one of the applicants. Due to the large applicant pool, the utility company rented the Tacoma Dome to put them through an extensive interviewing process. In the end, they went with an internal referral! (The Seattle Times interviewed the lucky employee.)

Employee referrals take precedence. A recent Wall Street Journal article along with my recent interviews with companies such as WhitePages.com and LUMEDX show that employers prefer employee referrals vs. blind resume submissions. "Employers want to avoid risk," says Dan Schawbel, best-selling author of "Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success." Employers can mitigate risk by hiring someone they trust. Other ways to mitigate risk, Shawbel suggests, are to highlight your achievements, get endorsements on LinkedIn, write a book, or volunteer on a special project where you can demonstrate competency.

The hiring game is complex. I recently talked about the Vendor Management System (VMS) and how it has impacted jobseekers looking for contracting or temporary work. Another major change to understand is how the company's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) works. When you submit your resume to a company for the first time, a hiring profile gets created in their system that captures your contact information, resume, which position you applied for, and other related data that is important to the employer.

As of early 2009, many companies are now adding your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Zillow information to their ATS. Employers use this data to make judgments about which candidates to interview. Knowing how to optimize your online presence can make a difference between getting an interview or a, "Thanks, but no thanks" response.

Companies have boundaries. Understanding companies' boundaries can help you avoid landing on their blacklists. I was speaking to a recruiter the other day and she said, "we tend to forget the good candidates but we never forget the bad ones!" Candidates need to take the time to learn the company's hiring process and follow their guidelines. The extra work can help your reputation with the prospective employer.

Finding a job in Seattle today is difficult. Knowing what's changed can greatly improve your odds of making shifts in your job-searching strategy and shortening your transition.

Paul Anderson of ProLango helps professionals in transition find their desired employment.

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8 Comments

The Truth on March 28, 2011 8:27 PM | Reply

In all reality, the job market is poor in the United States. Jobs are moving out of the country and people are being laid-off. No matter how hard it is now, it will continue to get harder. This blog is just gives people a little hope when in reality, the likely hood of you getting hired is not likely. I have 2 degrees, military service, very good internships, and I still cannot get a job. With my credentials, I cannot get hired by a company that pays over $10.00 an hour to be honest. So what is the use of even trying? Just move out of the country and stop letting people of this country feed us lies and false hopes because we are just waisting our time until we get out of this depression. By the way, if you think you have seen the worst of it, we are just beginning.
R.I.P for the next 10 years or longer on jobs.
Welcome: False Hope

scott on April 12, 2011 9:38 AM | Reply

Agree totally.I have college and military service also.But the truth is that americans don't like to do physical labor. The place I work now is hurting for people to work and they pay 14.35 an hour. But no one wants to do it because its physically demanding and its third shift. But its better than beeing broke.

Sergio Burchfield on May 5, 2011 10:46 AM | Reply

I hear ya....Hey Scott, is your place still hiring? I'm game...

Sue on May 23, 2011 11:03 PM | Reply

"But the truth is that americans don't like to do physical labor."

umm, speak for yourself. I just want to get out of my parent's house. They drive me insane!

Sean on June 24, 2011 1:19 PM | Reply

Really, I just need a job right now, anything will do. I need to start making money to buy a car and a place to live. But no matter where or how many times I apply, I never get hired. And i'm a good candidate. It's not my fault, it's the damn economy. And all those grown up baby boomers are taking jobs from the youth, which doesn't help.

American on July 2, 2011 2:29 AM | Reply

I'm agree with ya all, I have a bachelors' degree electrical engineering in 2010 and still can't find a job either. I did 13 job interviews and none of them hired me. I'm a good candidate and I still don't understand why no company went to give me a chance. Most of Masters students (H1-B visas) holders I know are getting job and me as a U.S. Citizen nobody went to hired me. The companies here in U.S. keep lying by saying that there are no American engineers as away to get Asians brain drain. I'm now working as unloader at Lowe's making $7.25 per hour. I'm now now hopeless, depressed and can't think what to do. Our country is heading in a wrong direction so God help us!!

Dave on July 22, 2011 8:35 AM | Reply

It is definitely tough to even get a minimum wage job pretty mich year round. The jobs just aren't out there. Most people don't realize how bad the economy is until they get laid off and start sending out resumes/applications that get no calls back!

I am looking for bookkeeping positions, have a degree in Business Management, and also applying for minimum wage jobs with little luck. I have an interview Tuesday at a major retailer so hopefully it goes well.

Good luck to all of you!

John on October 3, 2011 4:14 PM | Reply

I agree. When the housing market crashed, I lost my business and it's been a roller coaster ride ever since. I have over 15 years of experience in business and a BS Degree, and it's been really tuff to find a decent job.

I would suggest that you try to Network with those you know... networking is a great way to land a job!

Hang in there!!!

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