This is an actual question posed to me by a job seeker back in March 2011.  And below it is my answer. I felt this person’s pain. While this reader was not in the position to hire me, I was compelled to giving this person some low-cost and free resources that, with initiative and gumption, could help them get results from the search that was currently frustrating them…If this is you, I hope this helps:

I have a major problem, companies I want to work at say to apply on-line and but it seems the application disappears.  Everyone says I should network but I feel uncomfortable hounding everyone I know about finding a new job.  Recruiters are somewhere in between, you have to play along or they will black list you.  What should I do? —

I agree this is a frustrating situation.  Without knowing specifics of the situation, it may be difficult to diagnose in email, but I will offer some insights that I hope will help:

(1) You need to consider listening to “everyone” — Learn to properly network with people you know and do not know.  I can tell you if you feel like you are ‘hounding’ people, you are not doing it properly. But not learning how to do it properly and, as a result, not networking, you are ignoring a huge component of the job search that will lead you to your next job. Learn about how to conduct a job search and how to use Linkedin and social media to generate leads to approach companies directly. This way you will not be dependent on job postings or third party recruiters for interviews. Generate your own activity. Other economical resources for you to look at are Harvey Mackay’s book “Use Your Head to Get Your Foot In the Door–Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You” or Jay Conrad Levinson’s book “Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0.”

(2) I encourage you to maximize your usage of Linkedin. If you have fewer than 300 connections, you are not utilizing its capability well. Consider Jason Alba’s book “I’m on Linkedin…Now what?”  Another survey by SHRM in April 2011 showed that 95% of recruiters use Linkedin to find candidates. If your connections are low and your profile is not 100% complete, you are not showing up in recruiter search results. To show up in the search results, complete your profile (yes, put up a good picture) and get your connections up over 300. If you are not on LinkedIn properly, you are seriously hindering your search.

(3) Update your resume and keep it up-to-date not only in content, but in format, font choice, graphic choices and visual impact.You wouldn’t show up to an interview in an outdated suit. So be sure your resume is in a progressive format riddled with achievement-based language. You can do it on your own with my kit or hire me to help.

(4) I strongly suggest stop depending on third party recruiters. If you are looking to change careers, having not been working steadily and/or do not want to continue within your current career and industry path, third party recruiters will be of no use to you. You will have to network and contact companies directly. Third party recruiters are paid by companies to find candidates currently doing the job within the same industry–it is simple economics. This article I wrote may help you understand why: 11 Reasons Why Recruiters Don’t Call You Back & 5 Things You Can Do About It.

(5) Be positive on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and all other social media outlets–always. I know this may be hard if the search is frustrating, but know that I tell you this with good intentions. If recruiters are interested in your profile and then click to questions you answered or posts you have made and see your consistent negative commentary, they will be immediately turned off. No one wants to hire a complainer or someone down on his or her luck. Even if you are mentally in a bad place, you must not vent it online. Companies are struggling and want to hire people who can contribute positively to their environment.

Email me if I can help you with anything else…I hope this helps…

Related posts:

1. 12 Places Corporate Recruiters Look For Their Next Hire–Are You There?