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How does one get a job these days? Login/Join 
I Am The Walrus
posted
Maybe I'm doing something wrong but I have applied and been referred into multiple jobs.

I think I'm qualified, I'm educated, I have a clean record, I don't use drugs, I'm on time, I read and write well enough.

I'm smart enough to know I'm not an idiot. This is what I have to offer:

-13 years commissioned service in the Army
-secret clearance
-MBA
-master's in human resources
-certificate in business analytics from Wharton

Those are the quantifiable skills. I have many soft skills which I'm sure employers look for. I have leadership experience in garrison and in combat.

I've been applying through LinkedIn and other websites. Just started an Indeed account today. Friends who work for large companies have referred me in.

The thing that really puzzles me isn't as much that I'm not getting hired. I'm not even getting calls for interviews.

I'm here getting ready to leave active duty military (again) and get back into the civilian world in September. I was working as a home builder and while I know I can get a job like that easily, I don't want to work in the field again. I would be wasting my education building homes.

I've read that recruiters will take 6-7 seconds reading over a resume and that sounds like bullshit because you're telling me they're so smart they can assess someone in 6-7 seconds? And if they're only taking 6-7 seconds to read a resume, why is a cover letter required? If they're not going to read a document with bullet points, are they really going to read a couple of paragraphs?

What am I doing wrong?


_____________

 
Posts: 13047 | Registered: March 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Dinosaur
Picture of P210
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Assuming you have a resume, you should ask someone who’s knowledgeable about them to look at it and offer suggestions on how to make it better.
 
Posts: 6955 | Location: 96753 | Registered: December 15, 1999Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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What's your skill set, field of expertise and location?

If we were looking for someone today we'd have an immediate need and not want to wait until September.


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The butcher with the sharpest knife has the warmest heart.
 
Posts: 13386 | Location: Bottom of Lake Washington | Registered: March 06, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I’m a firm believer that many good jobs are found through networking and many never get put on LinkedIn, Indeed or other services. Networking is something that I don’t enjoy but it’s a necessary evil.
 
Posts: 184 | Registered: April 21, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Void Where Prohibited
Picture of WaterburyBob
posted Hide Post
You certainly sound qualified.
You don't show your location and didn't mention the part of the country where you're applying; could it be as simple as the lack of demand in your area right now
?



"If Gun Control worked, Chicago would look like Mayberry, not Thunderdome" - Cam Edwards
 
Posts: 16488 | Location: Under the Boot of Tyranny in Connectistan | Registered: February 02, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
chickenshit
Picture of rsbolo
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You biggest issue might be the lag time. Companies are hiring for this minute. I'll bet when September approaches you'll get calls.

Not what you want to hear, I know.


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Yes, Para does appreciate humor.
 
Posts: 8000 | Location: East Central FL | Registered: January 05, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Unmanned Writer
Picture of LS1 GTO
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Where exactly is "all over" located?

Also, MBA is great but which industry are you special in (medical, aerospace, automotive, etc)?







Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.



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The memories of a man in his old age
Are the deeds of a man in his prime


 
Posts: 14020 | Location: It was Lat: 33.xxxx Lon: 44.xxxx now it's CA :( | Registered: March 22, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Fighting the good fight
Picture of RogueJSK
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Are you tailoring your resume and cover letter for each individual job description?

Lots of jobs these days rely on automated software to sift through applications and resumes. They program it to look for certain key words based on the requirements of the position, pick out ones that contain those words to get further human review, and discard the rest.

So it could be that if you're just reusing the same resume for each application, your resume simply doesn't contain the right buzzwords for that specific opening, and is therefore being kicked out before a real human being even lays eyes on it.
 
Posts: 32430 | Location: Northwest Arkansas | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Big question what do you want to do with all that.
 
Posts: 1740 | Registered: December 04, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The 6-7 second resume reading thing is bullshit.

I read a resume and continue until I see a dis-qualifier. (something I really don't like)

I prefer resumes that include an action=results approach. What did you do - and what was the result/benefit to the Team/Organization/Unit?

At the end of the day - some of the best jobs are obtained by referral/who-you-know. Try and expand your professional and social network.

Good luck.
 
Posts: 4979 | Registered: April 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by Graniteguy:
At the end of the day - some of the best jobs are obtained by referral/who-you-know. Try and expand your professional and social network.

This. All my jobs have been via somebody who knew me and thought I would be a good fit. The caveat is to not bomb any bridges beforehand and have a reputation that the decision makers will agree with.

If you're chasing a position within a big corporate organization, its going to go through a variety of checks and eye-balls, before getting to the department that has the need. Thus it goes back to have contacts and a network that can connect you.
 
Posts: 14574 | Location: Wine Country | Registered: September 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Frangas non Flectes
Picture of P220 Smudge
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At the risk of sounding like a commercial, make a profile and upload your resume to ZipRecruiter. You can one-click apply to jobs and get email updates about new postings you'd be qualified for.

I had some serious health problems over the last few years and hadn't worked in nearly three. I did what I described above and the day after, I had two interviews that led to offers in 24 hours. I got to choose between them, a first for me. Last Wednesday, I decided the current job wasn't cutting it anymore and updated my resume with my current info. I applied to a job I was interested in, and two hours later, I had an email asking if I would like to phone interview on Friday. That went well and I have an in-person interview this Friday. I also applied to three other jobs that same day in case this didn't pan out and I got two responses asking if I'd like to schedule a phone interview and two phone calls on Thursday from head hunters hiring for jobs similar to what I'm working now.

Just try it. Nothing to lose, and if you feel like you're getting spammed with job posting alerts, you can make a folder for them in your email and a rule to send them straight there like I did. All the other advice is good, but I've never had such interest in me as a potential employee. And yes, I've used Indeed. No such experiences there.

Another think you might consider is using a resume builder website. I actually got complimented on my resume and how clean and concise it was by the HR person I talked to last week. I built mine on Velvetjobs.


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Carthago delenda est
 
Posts: 17061 | Location: Sonoran Desert | Registered: February 10, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
That rug really tied
the room together.
Picture of bubbatime
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quote:
Originally posted by Edmond:
I've been applying through LinkedIn and other websites. Just started an Indeed account today.


My wife is a high up corporate manager. She is on the phone eight hours a day with recruiters, district, and regional managers.

I overheard a phone conversation last week with a recruiter and one thing stuck out to me. The recruiter said she gets 95% of her hires now from LinkedIn. She said the candidates that used Monster and Indeed and similar sites are garbage. She gets much better candidates from LinkedIn.

Just thought I would mention this....


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Often times a very small man can cast a very large shadow
 
Posts: 6660 | Location: Floriduh | Registered: October 16, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Frangas non Flectes
Picture of P220 Smudge
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What kind of jobs are you looking for?


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Carthago delenda est
 
Posts: 17061 | Location: Sonoran Desert | Registered: February 10, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
and this little pig said:
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You didn't mention your age, but there is some "age discrimination" present for those who are over 50. It's never mentioned, but it is apparent.

I was called in to an interview a few years ago because I had listed (accurately) my MS degree in 2001. When they saw me, the faces dropped. I was over 50 and could do the job in my sleep. Never got it!
 
Posts: 3396 | Registered: February 07, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
A day late, and
a dollar short
Picture of Warhorse
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quote:
Originally posted by odin:
You didn't mention your age, but there is some "age discrimination" present for those who are over 50. It's never mentioned, but it is apparent.

I was called in to an interview a few years ago because I had listed (accurately) my MS degree in 2001. When they saw me, the faces dropped. I was over 50 and could do the job in my sleep. Never got it!

Sadly I'm sure this happens quite often.


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Posts: 13668 | Location: Michigan | Registered: July 10, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Find a professional head hunter in the area of the country you are looking to work in.
They will have a list of clients that are looking for people with a specific skill set. They find you the jobs and set up the interviews with the potential business.

What part of the country are you looking?

I asked my wife about it, she was placed in a couple jobs using an agency and has been at her current company for 12 years. The rep she worked with found the job and also sold her qualifications to them to get her the interview. My wife suggested maybe getting a couple professional friends to look at your resume and give their honest feedback on any suggestions they might have on the order of what is companies see first or layout that might make you stand out. She said your resume should make you stand out in a minute or less so your 6-7 second review might be exaggerated but true. My wife also suggested calling after you send your resume to verify they received it and to introduce yourself and ask who you should follow up with on the status. Depending on the company they could be receiving hundreds of resumes a day and your resume is just one and it could be mixed in with any level of job from a general laborer to a vice president.

My wife's employer might have something in your field depending on the location in the country you are looking. Feel free to email me privately, my email is in my profile.




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Posts: 2553 | Location: Central Florida, south of the mouse | Registered: March 08, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished
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What type of work do you want to do, Human Resources? Do you have work experience outside the Army and home building? My former employer made a point to interview veterans.

Many companies "froze" hiring for quite some time though that seems to be ending but it depends on the position. In my field ("IT") demand is very high but I'm not sure about others. Theoretically, LinkedIn should "work" in that you shouldn't need to hire someone to help you find a job but, again, it depends on your skills and what you want to do.
 
Posts: 4075 | Location: NC | Registered: December 20, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The age thing seems to be working against me. I'm 58, almost 59. Looking to leave my current employer as it's turned into somewhat of a dead end.
Looking at going into business for myself.


Like guns, Love Sigs
 
Posts: 1210 | Location: Battle Born | Registered: December 26, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ammoholic
Picture of Skins2881
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I got my most recent job/career from Facebook. I'm part of a local county fraternal/charity men's group. I applied for the job but was looked over, but when the East coast VP of operations says consider this guy, he gets a second look.

Try to expand your networking circle. 90% is who you know, not what you know.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
 
Posts: 20758 | Location: Loudoun County, Virginia | Registered: December 27, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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