The Four Techniques for Getting the Interview

The Four Techniques for Getting the Interview

If you were to ask a person newly in job search, what was their goal for their search, they likely would say to you, “My goal is to get a job.” While, that is the desired result of the process, (and may I add, not just any job, but the right job for the individual at this point in their career journey), most individuals are missing the point entirely. Techniques in job search are all focused on getting the job searcher as many interviews as possible along the way to the role they finally are offered and accept. Ultimately, meetings will lead to individuals getting to know you better and getting to know your skills and accomplishments. In doing so, they begin to see how you may be able to contribute to their organization. That in turn leads to them making you a job offer, ultimately hoping that you accept so you can begin working and applying your talents toward their organization and customers.

For all the various approaches that individuals may use in job search, they ultimately come under the heading of one of 4 possible approaches. Those approaches have historically had different levels of success, and are used by smart job searchers in the proportion of that success history. Here now are the 4 approaches individuals can use, and the pros and cons of each of them.

The first method that individuals use in job search is The Internet and Answering Ads. While the Internet provides an immediacy in applying for roles, and allows one to search many different companies at once, it DOES NOT PROVIDE THE BENEFIT OF PERSONAL CONTACT and THE PERSPECTIVES OF ONE-TO-ONE CONVERSATION. The internet helps in developing a target list of companies. It is good in helping to get a background on a company and learn of individuals that work there. However, unless those individuals get to know you, (and that requires at least one if not multiple follow-up conversations), you do not have someone on the inside at the company to recommend you to the area hiring for the position. Historically, online ads have about a 5 to 10 percent success rate of leading to a person applying to such a posting, and being hired. Internet postings are designed to screen candidates out, as opposed to bringing them into the company for a conversation.

The second method individuals use in job search are Recruiters and Search Firms. The job searcher figures why bother searching themselves. Companies come to recruiters, and jobs are there for the waiting. However, much like answering ads, recruiters and search firms work for candidates 5 to 10 percent of the time. Recruiters can be valuable to you if they focus on job roles in your specific discipline. They are also of value if you are well established in that field. Recruiters are not good for those who are career changers. Recruiters want to know specific accomplishments from your career. Most of all, recruiters are working for the company doing the hiring. Their reputation is at stake. As such, they are going to have reservations about providing candidates that they feel do not have strong qualifications.

Networking, the third method, is a long-term process but an effective one. It is based on getting to know possible leads, through other people. Some of it may be done informally, (you meet a person that can help your search at a social gathering or activity). Or it can be done on a more formal basis, (contacting individuals through a business event or by reaching out to them formally through a tool such as Linked In, or by writing them an email or letter). Networking is about establishing professional relationships. It is not just looking to connect to people just about a job opening, but to have them as part of your set of acquaintances for a long time, ideally through your entire career. Approximately 75% to 80% of all job opportunities are gotten through networking.

The final method for job searching and getting interviews is through Direct Contact. Direct Contact allows you to connect with any company in which you have an interest. It is particularly effective when changing careers or industries. It is a specific and targeted approach used when you have no networking contacts at an organization. And, it may get you a conversation with an organization even if there is no definitive job posting, but they may have a need for your skills.

Internet or Ad Posting, Recruiters or Search Firms, Networking or Direct Contact. All possible ways to get to the interview stage of the job search process. All have their positives and negatives. The excellent job searcher looks to combine a mixture of them in their search. What will you do the next time you are looking to get those job interviews?