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What Job Seekers Really Want

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This is the article that shouldn’t be written. At least the timing is absolutely wrong for so many reasons, but the frustration of “paying it forward” when nobody cares eventually grinds the true caring person inside of me to a halt. I spent last weekend reading Harvey Mackay’s book Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty because it is one of those classic networking books that I have quoted without having read the book from cover to cover. A part of me thought that being equipped with all the knowledge contained in a book that has been called “The only networking book you’ll ever need” would add more emphasis, credibility and passion to my writing for job seekers and my online personal advice to network, network, network. Most people are too polite to say it to my [virtual] face, but the clarion call to network, network, network is usually answered with a silent “yeah right, boring, yawn.” Statistics show this is the best way to wheedle your way into the hidden job market, but who cares? Nobody. What do job seekers really want?

They want to complain. Period.

Looking for trouble is not something I do intentionally, but it seems to find me in a “no good deed goes unpunished” sort of way. Recently I posted links to several articles and blog posts to an online group that is a gathering place for people trying to get employed. One excellent article from a national publication listed several points about appearing too desperate in a job search and the consequences. It received a scathing comment from one job seeker about how being out of work for over a year makes people desperate, yadda, yadda, yadda [I didn’t read the rest of the rant]. To me there are two approaches to advice on a job search: If it fits, take it… if it doesn’t leave it and keep going.

Shooting the messenger doesn’t fix the problem. It silences the messages.

On a more personal level, I was raked over the coals by one job seeker for “promoting myself and my website” when at least six sites, all with different authors [none of them me], were among the offending posts. That hurts, but taking pride in having a thick skin [and it was only a flesh wound] I calmly replied that I was there to help, not to promote anything. “If I am offending anyone here it is not my intention, so please let me know what I should do differently.” I haven’t been invited to leave the group [yet], but my conclusion is that it is not really a forum to get employed or to get advice, but to get pissed off about their unfortunate situation and gripe about it.

Oh well, there are still Twitter chats where I can pontificate with other pontificators.

Have you heard candidates complain about a recruiter who is doing her job and helping match people to their dream jobs? I have… all the time. The odds are not good that anybody in this situation can satisfy all of the people all of the time. Do the math: If ten people are considered for a job and one person is hired, there is a 90% dissatisfaction rating for some poor recruiter who REALLY cares about the candidate experience but can’t hire everybody. Have you heard comments from recruiting management that worrying about the experiences of candidates are not worth the effort? I have… I wonder where that negativity comes from… could it be all those unfounded complaints?

I could mention that there is fault on both sides, but it won’t stop the complaining.

I guess this is a fight-fire-with-fire type of commentary where my complaints are intended to offset the job seeker complaints. Emotionally it is cathartic but intellectually I know that being a force for change requires going back into the trenches for another round until the battle is won. Some things will never change about people… but we can hope. Before I allow negativity to turn me to the dark side I need to network, network, network, or perhaps find another Harvey Mackay book to inspire me.

What do you think?

 
Image Credit: © Daniel Schweinert | Dreamstime.com

3 thoughts on “What Job Seekers Really Want”

  1. Pingback: Reviewing This Week on Make HR Happen – The People Interface » Make HR Happen by Tom Bolt

  2. Hi Tom,

    While all the studies show that networking is the most effective way to job hunt, it’s also affords the highest perceived risk to one’s ego. Perhaps that why job seekers tend to avoid it.

    Keep on giving your genuinely thoughtful and helpful advice. I’m a big fan girl!

    Donna

    1. Thanks, Donna. It seems that we have formed a mutual admiration society in that I am an ardent follower of your advice to job seekers.

      Most job seekers who don’t think they can network or are afraid of the idea need to buy the book by Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty by Harvey Mackay. It only costs $12 in paperback and is a classic. If I were looking for a job, I would spend my last 12 bucks on this and go hungry until the message sinks in.

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