Cold Application for Employment

[SummerMadness]

Looking back at your job history, have you ever obtained a job via cold application? By that I mean applying to a job with no recommendations from others or referrals from someone (i.e., knowing someone that works at a place of business). When I consider employment, I now realize how important networking is for getting a job because merit really gets you nowhere. Nonetheless, we preach the notion of a meritocracy in our society, while never actually practicing it.

I was partly inspired to ask this question when I saw a Reddit post on dataisbeautiful where a person showed all the applications he sent for a job, with only a handful actually turning into an interview (I believe only one job offer out of 50+ applications). I've done cold applications only about three times in my life, the first two rounds occurred when I was still in school, both resulting in jobs after sending around a lot of e-mails/applications. The third time I did cold applications, I did a hybrid with using my network, I did quite well with getting a few interviews, but in the end my network got me all my job offers.

Realizing how important a network is to economic success, I am curious as to how we extend such networks to people that may not have access to such networks (e.g., the poor and immigrant populations comes to mind).

 

[HereIStand]

The job that I now have, I obtained by responding to a posting on the college job board. I didn't know anyone or have any contacts in the organization.

I worked for two years in a factory (Ford) where my father worked. In that case, I could never have gotten the job without his help.

I would say for better paying blue collar jobs, knowing people goes a long way. For white collar jobs it's more complicated. Knowing people can help, but degree and experience matter more.

 

[archer75]

Never.

 

[akaDaScribe]

It can go either way. It depends on how bad they actually need someone who does what you do.

 

[grasping the after wind]

Looking back at your job history, have you ever obtained a job via cold application? By that I mean applying to a job with no recommendations from others or referrals from someone (i.e., knowing someone that works at a place of business). When I consider employment, I now realize how important networking is for getting a job because merit really gets you nowhere. Nonetheless, we preach the notion of a meritocracy in our society, while never actually practicing it.

I was partly inspired to ask this question when I saw a Reddit post on dataisbeautiful where a person showed all the applications he sent for a job, with only a handful actually turning into an interview (I believe only one job offer out of 50+ applications). I've done cold applications only about three times in my life, the first two rounds occurred when I was still in school, both resulting in jobs after sending around a lot of e-mails/applications. The third time I did cold applications, I did a hybrid with using my network, I did quite well with getting a few interviews, but in the end my network got me all my job offers.

Realizing how important a network is to economic success, I am curious as to how we extend such networks to people that may not have access to such networks (e.g., the poor and immigrant populations comes to mind).

I never got a real job by knowing someone in the organization or through any network. I did once get a part time job as a custodian at my church but I was not very good at it and was fired. I never had a network to rely on when I was coming into the job market and more recently I started my own business by purchasing a very small business and growing it so a network of benefactors was unnecessary. One does not get hired initially by any merit system. the people doing the hiring have yet to experience one's work so they have no idea if you will merit the position or not. They are just making their best guess. I would suggest that an easy way to become networked would be to join a church or volunteer organization. Then there would be one's educational institution and being active on sites like CF might even allow one to gain contacts. Just a few possibilities I thought of off the top of my head.

 

[royal priest]

I am solicited by job recruiters through my Indeed account.

 

[Root of Jesse]

Looking back at your job history, have you ever obtained a job via cold application? By that I mean applying to a job with no recommendations from others or referrals from someone (i.e., knowing someone that works at a place of business). When I consider employment, I now realize how important networking is for getting a job because merit really gets you nowhere. Nonetheless, we preach the notion of a meritocracy in our society, while never actually practicing it.

I was partly inspired to ask this question when I saw a Reddit post on dataisbeautiful where a person showed all the applications he sent for a job, with only a handful actually turning into an interview (I believe only one job offer out of 50+ applications). I've done cold applications only about three times in my life, the first two rounds occurred when I was still in school, both resulting in jobs after sending around a lot of e-mails/applications. The third time I did cold applications, I did a hybrid with using my network, I did quite well with getting a few interviews, but in the end my network got me all my job offers.

Realizing how important a network is to economic success, I am curious as to how we extend such networks to people that may not have access to such networks (e.g., the poor and immigrant populations comes to mind).

Most of my jobs have come from cold applications, mainly because there aren't that many of me. However, the last time I was laid off, I applied to approximately one job every day for about two months. Of those nearly 60 applications, I got 12 actual responses (from humans), from those 12, 6 phone interviews, from those 6, two in-person interviews, both of which resulted in an offer. In my professional career, of nearly 20 years, I've held positions with 10 companies. Maybe that sounds like a lot, but my first professional employer went bankrupt, it took two temp positions (doing the same work) to get to my next regular employment, after two years there, the commute got to me and I worked contracts for a few years, finally landing at a large bank for 7 years. Another contract position after that, then just gaining more experience with, another company that got bought out, resulting in layoffs, and my current position.
In two of the jobs I've held, the same person held the job immediately before I took it. I joked with him to let me know where I'd be working next.

 

[Saucy]

I think the big flaw in this idea is how many applications an employer gets when a job becomes available. You also have to consider the state of the economy and the location where the job is posted. If it's in an economically depressed area, there are a lot more people fighting for too few jobs. It's especially bad in areas like Flint where huge factories shut down, then you have 10,000 people suddenly looking for work.

 

[SummerMadness]

I definitely see a difference for level of entry for a job and what strategies will help. For instance, I can see someone walking into a retail job off the street, but in research, for example, who you know goes a long way. I think education level can cut both ways; being underqualified often means being passed over in the application process. However, being overqualified can have the same effect; often times the assumption is you may not stick around or demand more in terms or salary/benefits. I believe the recession in 2009 made that a factor for the many people that were laid off.

For my current job, my previous work in the field was certainly known, but it really was about who I worked with previously that mattered (I think this partly comes from believing your previous workplace can lead to a collaboration that benefits all).

 

[SummerMadness]

I am solicited by job recruiters through my Indeed account.

I received solicitations from job recruiters on Indeed and LinkedIn, but I felt they were often too vague (looking at keywords as opposed to my actual qualifications/body of work). I did receive one interesting message from LinkedIn when I was in grad school. I could tell they actually looked at my research before contacting me because the job was very relevant to my background. That turned into an interview with two people from company, but I received no offer (although I think they were still trying to figure out what they were doing exactly).

 

[grasping the after wind]

Right now finding a job is easy enough. There are employers complaining about lack of help everywhere. Finding a well paying job or a career position with future advancement in mind is much harder. One way to develop a network is to begin working at a very young age while still in school and being supported by one's parents in a part time position that pays poorly and would be considered unattractive to people needing a full time position lucrative enough to feed their family. Perform that job as competently as possible. Get a reputation in the organization and use that reputation to your advantage when seeking work you really want.

 

[grasping the after wind]

It also occurs to me that one should be wise in deciding who to network with. It does not help to be recommended for a positon by someone that the employer or the person responsible for hiring regrets having hired.

 

[SummerMadness]

It also occurs to me that one should be wise in deciding who to network with. It does not help to be recommended for a positon by someone that the employer or the person responsible for hiring regrets having hired.

True, I would caution against the idea of manufacturing a specific network (hunting for people you think will "get you to the next level"), but one should be open to connecting with people from different a field/background as they can help connect you to someone that you may not know, be an inspiration for new ideas (something I find very important in the research field), and they can also be a future collaborator where the diversity of ideas and expertise may be important.

 

[Tanj]

All of jobs I have obtained fit your definition of cold. I've also been offered every job I applied for...except one...Dang you Roche, dang you to heck!

 

[mama2one]

husband got his current position from cold application

when he was downsized out of a job, he went to a company who helps people get reemployed
they analyzed his personality, helped with his resume, and they had listings of companies sorted by categories
(not job openings)

they helped him focus on new interests as well as his strengths and then he sent many resumes out each day all over the country

he got hired by a company who didn't even have a job opening but they "worked" him into the company as they were growing at the time

 

[JCFantasy23]

I mainly have gotten employment through cold applications. Only in one position did I know someone there who helped, and that was just a part-time gig at the local movie theater in between office work.

 

[Moral Orel]

The job I am at now was recommended by a friend who worked there and offered to give me a recommendation. Not only did the place never ask her about me, they lost my resume before the interview (it was attached to an internet application). In the end, I was hired because I was the only applicant to show up in a tie.

 

[Tinker Grey]

My first job was a cold application (fast food). My second, I was recommended for (camp counselor). Third job was cold (moving company). My first job post-college was a cold app (programmer). After that, everything was through connections: a couple of jobs while working on additional degrees; adjunct faculty position; programmer; engineer. I considering, after many years at my current position, moving on -- if this happens, it'll be through a rival company poaching engineers. It would be a cold-app, but it wouldn't exactly be through connections either.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Looking back at your job history, have you ever obtained a job via cold application? By that I mean applying to a job with no recommendations from others or referrals from someone (i.e., knowing someone that works at a place of business). When I consider employment, I now realize how important networking is for getting a job because merit really gets you nowhere. Nonetheless, we preach the notion of a meritocracy in our society, while never actually practicing it.

I was partly inspired to ask this question when I saw a Reddit post on dataisbeautiful where a person showed all the applications he sent for a job, with only a handful actually turning into an interview (I believe only one job offer out of 50+ applications). I've done cold applications only about three times in my life, the first two rounds occurred when I was still in school, both resulting in jobs after sending around a lot of e-mails/applications. The third time I did cold applications, I did a hybrid with using my network, I did quite well with getting a few interviews, but in the end my network got me all my job offers.

Realizing how important a network is to economic success, I am curious as to how we extend such networks to people that may not have access to such networks (e.g., the poor and immigrant populations comes to mind).

Every job I've ever held...

That said, when I was a teenager, I had developed a number of strategies to make this work. I would pick up an application and ask what days/times the manager was normally in....then I'd return the application during those hours dressed as I would for an interview and if they weren't immediately asking me to interview, I would try to make small talk with the manager about the position (essentially starting the interview against their will)...

This worked an astounding number of times.

Think of it from the owner/management's position....you're looking to fill a position. Then soon after you started looking, applicant shows up with application, clean cut appearance, looks confident and genuinely interested in the job. Would you rather finish a quick interview and hire them on the spot? Or would you prefer to sift through a stack of applications, try to schedule interviews....half of which will the applicant won't even show for....in the hope of getting to the point you're at right now?

When I graduated from the types of jobs teens hold to the types of jobs young grads hold...I found the strategies I developed over the years still worked well. I know one can't always turn in a physical resume...but showing interest by talking with whoever does the hiring goes a long way...but it has to be done smartly. Don't ask about pay/vacation days/sick days....ask about the job's responsibilities and room for advancement. In fact, it's better if you already know some of these things.

The best method I've ever had for interviews was to pretend I already had a job and didn't really need the one I'm applying for...this creates the illusion of confidence in the mind of the employer even if you're super nervous. Try to imagine the questions beforehand and how you would answer them.

It's funny how much attitude and appearances/enthusiasm can make up for deficiencies in experience and education. If you appear to be the ideal employee...I've found that employers are willing to overlook almost anything negative about your application.

 

[Tanj]

The job I am at now was recommended by a friend who worked there and offered to give me a recommendation. Not only did the place never ask her about me, they lost my resume before the interview (it was attached to an internet application). In the end, I was hired because I was the only applicant to show up in a tie.

"I applied for the position of village idiot once"
"Did you get it?"
"No"
"Why not?"
"I turned up for the interview"
--Two Ronnies