10 Ways to Avoid the “Propaganda Bomb” Job Search

Sitting in a cafe the other evening I was ‘accidentally’ privy to an interesting careers conversation between two, soon-to-be, graduating seniors of UMass. Accidentally, in that I had no intention of listening to anyone else and was minding my own business with a good book, but they were talking in such a way that was essentially broadcasting their conversation to the fellow patrons.

May is looming and these sorts of conversations regarding job search and careers are not too out of place in a college town such as Amherst, MA., and these two are soon to be among the many of the graduating masses nationwide being released into the marketplace.

For context, this converation was right after the return from spring break, a couple weeks ago now, and they were talking about their respective job searches. Both mentioning about now that they are back from the spring break festivities, in the sun, in the south and/or the Islands, they are needing to get “serious about their job search.” All sort of standard fare for life in a college town, at least to this point.

But, then I heard something interesting. One saying to the other how he “had sent out a couple applications right before leaving on spring break and hadn’t yet heard back anything from either of his inquiries.” Ok, nothing terribly unusual so far. But, then, he said, “I’m going to start blasting out 10 applications a day, every day, until I get a job….!” That’s when my ears really picked up. 10 applications a day? Every day? Really???

I got to thinking, doing the quick maths in my head; 70 organizations/companies a week he was planning to approach. Now while this may be A tactic, it’s certainly NOT one I’d recommend and how can it possibly be effective? What this tends to do, this ‘propaganda bomb’ strategy, and I ‘get it,’ is simply make one feel as though they are accomplishing something in their job search/career aspirations. It is a way to be feeling ‘productive’ but, in reality, what it amounts to is job search confetti that is pretty ineffectual in getting noticed and certainly not the best use of one’s time. Frankly, it’s just white noise where there’s already an abundance of such!

Now, while it IS true, the old adage that ‘even a broken clock is right twice a day,’ luck is really not the way to go about conducting a job search. Filling people’s inboxes and application queues is not the way to stand out and be recognized.

This gentleman would be much benefitted in his search if he were to be taking the time and using to it to really research individual organizations/employers of interest. Then, after doing some homework on each, approaching them in a way that is meaningful, unique and as an interested individual that can speak to them in a thoughtful way; a way that establishes connection and expresses knowledge about who they are, what they do, and why.

Further, he would be much, MUCH better served to cut down his intentions to maybe ONE application a day. But one that is well researched and understood, thoughtful and really well composed, that speaks to a potential employer! Something that separates him from all the others who are competing for the very position(s) he is seeking.

So, some tips for the “Propaganda Bomb” job seeker to think about!

1) Research, research and then research some more!

2) Use LinkedIn to present professionally and to connect and network with people in areas of interest.

3) Understand to whom you’re writing and applying to and know what they do and what they stand for?

4) Differentiate them from others in the marketplace. What makes them unique?

5) Identify areas within their organization that you can be of help and how?

6) Speak to them as a potential match and not just an anonymous entity.

7) Be credible, professional and, most importantly, interesting in your approach.

8) Understand their marketplace and recognize how they are different, even to those organizations that are seemingly similar in nature.

9) Identify or solve a problem they don’t know they have. Imagine that!? If you can recognize something of challenge for them, that they do not see, how valuable is that!?
The more that you can ‘speak’ to a potential employer, the better the chances you are to have in getting recognized. Yes, this requires a little work in doing the research but it can be much more fruitful, not only in finding a job or launching a career, but finding the ‘right’ job or career in the first place!

10) Set up informational interviews to gather better information and to potentially get a foot-in-the-door yet with no obligation on either party!

If you take these 10 points into account, you’ll find that not only is your search more effective, but can be more fun and interesting as you’re, by doing so, taking control and being much more proactive in your quest!