I've got a new theory, based on the responses I've received to my Craig's List posting for a software/hardware engineer: It's no wonder we're seeing an increase in unemployment, people seem to have no idea how to apply for a job these days.[megnut]
Ouch. Meg has cause to be a bit frustrated and I'm sure was well meaning, but living in the NYC area this one hurt as I and many of my colleagues have been forced in freelancing. While Meg makes some good points about applying for work, I don't think she really appreciates how difficult it is to find full-time employment in this sector and this region.
Sheley Powers quickly responds and a rapid exchange ensues between she and Meg in the comments of that entry.
Meg reports she got 30 resumes which is remarkable low. It is my understanding that recruiters are getting upwards of 500 resumes for a single NYC-Metro position on the major job boards.
There are a lot of good people out of work in this area particularly in the Internet and the technology space. Many of my former colleagues are unemployed for a year or more. Some are getting by with freelancing, others have moved, some have gone back to school and others have completely given up and switched careers to something like teaching.
I have been enjoying my freedom since May, but know it isn't going to suffice in the long term being the (former) majority breadwinner for my family. So I have been submitting my resumes looking for something more stable and predictable. I do many of the things Meg suggests. (In case you're wondering I am not one of the 30 that submitted their resume to Meg's listing -- I felt I wasn't what she was looking for and chose not to waste her time or mine.)
Many of the listings I have been looking at generally have a highly specific list of required skills (5+ years of high volume transactional Java systems with existing knowledge of international derivatives trading...) with a DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THESE REQUIREMENTS. I usually seem to be missing one or two. Still I have found several dozen listings that I have submitted my resume to where I was highly (sometimes overly) qualified. I submit it with a carefully written, customized proof-read cover letters to not even get the courtesy of a "we received your resume" or "thanks, but no thanks" reply let along a single interview. Most listings on job boards do not list any type of human contact information -- name, phone, or email. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Many include DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CALL OR EMAIL US WE WILL CONTACT YOU. It starts to really take a heavy mental toll. Here is how I rate the source of my next job.
- Personal industry contacts -- High probability)
- Recruiters -- Some chance
- Miracle -- Long shot, but hey you never know
- Job Boards -- Seconded only to hell freezing over
I have come to the conclusion that job boards, in this market are worthless to job seekers. I've all but given up on them. I have been far more successful with personal contacts. They have obviously not landed me anything full-time, BUT I got a return call 100% and at least an interview of some type over 50% of the time. Most of my personal contacts are in companies that are in as bad a shape as my former employer (hanging on by a thread to remain solvent or being acquired) or have just frozen hiring until the economy pick up. So I'm bidding my time and managing my money careful with some help from the State of NY. In the meanwhile I'm writing and consulting -- even working on some unfinished business.
On a related note, new to New York Meg posts her first celebrity siting. Just wait till the spring and summer Meg you'll be sick of them -- and like a true New Yorker you really won't care. ;)
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