22
Hey all.
Hoping to pick the collective hive mind here for strategy, etc. Here's my predicament: I've been on a sabbatical since the pandemic and am looking to put feelers out to go back into the workforce. I live in a large city, our state's capital -- a target rich environment for job hunters, if you look hard enough and smart enough. The thing is, I thought I've been doing everything right... but I keep on getting lots of "thanks but no thanks", a lot of auto-rejects.
Where might I be going wrong? Sometimes I wonder if it's that I have something a lot of people have...
I'm looking to shift careers from mainly volunteering in non-profits to actually working for some kind of salary/paycheck.
Erin Thomas, Career + Leadership Coach Get your career into focus!
579
07/21/21 at 4:57PM UTC
Hi, I know this is challenging, but it's all part of the process. In fact, you should expect the 3:1 ration when "cold" networking, which means for every messages you send out you should expect one response.
1- Start with your message. Be specific with what you are looking for, what your request of the person is, and why you chose to reach out to them.
2- Be sure your resume and LinkedIn conveys the brand that aligns with whatever you're looking for. To do this, you need to get clear on your brand and make it aspirational so it aligns with this new career field. Use branding key words and highlight the things you've done that translate to the new career field.
3- Keep taking actions and letting people in your network know you are looking and again, be specific.
Most of the people I work with are enduring a career change or transition of some sort, and I help them 1- get clear on their unique strengths, motivations, values, and skills/interests to align with a new career path that leverages these unique qualities; 2- action plan to land the job.
I have an online group program starting end of next month for people changing careers specifically, and I support ppl 1:1 with career change coaching. I'm happy to chat with you further should you be interested in the online course or 1:1 support.
Feel free to schedule a free strategy session to learn more: https://www.careerandleadershipcoaching.com/
Anonymous
07/20/21 at 5:43PM UTC
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Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.73k
07/20/21 at 8:50AM UTC
Where do you have your resume posted? How often are you updating those profiles?
Taylor Hutchinson
22
07/20/21 at 10:22PM UTC
Hello...
So far I've been the most active on Indeed.
I know people here have been saying LinkedIn... *Le sigh* -- definitely need to give that some love. It's been *waaaay* too long...
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.73k
07/21/21 at 5:36PM UTC
If you're really looking, you need to cast a wide net. Get your resume posted on Monster, Careerbuilder, Zip Recruiter, Simply Hired and Glassdoor. For positions above a certain level, LinkedIn is the premier job site now. You also need to have your LI profile up to snuff. I have had hiring managers say to me - while the candidate's resume was right in front of them - let me take a look at their LI profile.
You will also need to update those every week or two.
Anonymous
07/19/21 at 12:32PM UTC
All I can say is "I feel your pain and I am so sorry you are in the same boat I am in".
Anonymous
07/23/21 at 6:13PM UTC
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Cecily CauldwellTechnical Account Manager EMEA
282
07/17/21 at 8:18PM UTC
LinkedIn LinkedIn LinkedIn
I can’t say this enough. Connect with people and be frank … “hello, I’ve seen a role at your org and I’d love to connect with you and have a chat “. Find the role , look up people in that company, connect with the recruiter or people in your department. Maybe you even have connections.
Anonymous
07/17/21 at 2:28PM UTC
I would suggest attending meetings and events also. Sometimes the speakers or people being mentioned are a good way to start making contact and then sending out resumes directly to them. Also article readings about different companies. For example, I pulled up the top 50 companies Diversity Inc considered the best in diversity and applied to each of the firms that had positions in my field. I joined their recruting websites and looked for positions. I have only been looking since May and I actually found a position and am starting Monday. Build up your network. There is a site where you can also do volunteer work in different fields and that is also work you can add to your resume. When you were on sabbatical did you do anything such a write a book or articles, blogs, create artwork, etc? These are things you can add also. I wish you all the best. I also had 3 resumes that targeted different areas of expertise for me and I kept a worksheet so I knew when and where I sent each one. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best.
Anonymous
07/16/21 at 3:19PM UTC
Have you asked these people for specific feedback on why it's "no thanks"?
I am no one
149
07/16/21 at 12:13AM UTC
How's your resume? These days it needs to be targeted to the jobs you apply for. If you haven't had someone review it, you might want to try that first.
