‘To have unconventional success, you cannot be guided by conventional wisdom.’
- David Swenson
Hiring managers have realized that to get your dream job, you need to ditch the conventional job hunting techniques and utilize the unconventional job search tactics especially if you want your job seeking to be result oriented. Recruiters have therefore found out that the unconventional tactics (sometimes referred to as guerilla tactics) outperforms the traditional techniques in several ways.
1. The unconventional job hunting tactics are proactive. This is because when applying the tactics, you help set the pace of your search campaign through assertive weekly networking calls/emails plus weekly follow-up contacts with hiring managers concerning your most recent applications for both posted and anticipated job openings. This action will obviously increase the pace of your results.
2. Unconventional job search tactics are highly targeted in that they focus on specific industries, employers, geographic areas and positions which will assist you in increasing the number of interview calls and job offers you are likely to receive.
3. Further, these tactics are customized. This is because as opposed to the traditional techniques, the guerilla techniques stress touting your individuality by injecting your personality and career related attributes into your resume, cover letters and interview responses while also making use of industry related keywords that boost the odds that hiring managers looking for people like you will always find you.
4. They are also free and low cost. As a job seeker, you can take advantage of many of the job opportunities available on the internet these days. What are Unconventional Job Search Tactics? Unconventional job search tactics are those job seeking techniques that are unconventional, often radical and are always strategic. It means getting creative and conducting your job search differently from the crowd. You will have to introduce the element of surprise into your job hunting. Hiring managers have observed that most job hunters do their job seeking the conventional way which makes it boring and consequently often do not deliver the desired results. They conduct their job search either from the pages of newspapers or magazines or online just like every other person. These techniques are however worn out and no more delivering the desired result of invitation for interviews.
You see, job hunting is like selling and you the job seeker are the product. If the demand is therefore not there for “you” the product, you need to sit back study what is available in the job market and devise more effective ways of honing your job hunt. If need be, you might have to change whatever it is you are selling (your product- you). You might have to retool. Let us use the Pareto Principle (80/20%) to amplify this. For a start, only 20% of available job opportunities are advertised either online or in newspapers/magazines. Therefore 80% of available job opportunities are not advertised. 80% of job hunters scramble for the 20% of the jobs offers advertised online or in newspapers while the lucky and resourceful 20% of job seekers who use guerrilla tactics are the ones benefiting from the 80% of jobs that are not advertised online or in newspapers. These are the job hunters getting invitation for interviews faster and consequently getting employed faster. To make your job hunting more effective and consequently get employed quicker, you need to join these 20% getting access to the unadvertised jobs.
That is where the guerilla tactics of job search comes into play. Unconventional Tactics you can use to enhance your job search effectiveness 1. Use of your phone: Job seekers often do not do this. Only 1 – 2% does it. It is similar to cold calling in sales which most salesmen hate to do. However, by calling the hiring manager or a person that can influence your employment in any organization, you are not requesting for an interview but only starting and building a relationship. You should also try letting the person you are calling know the person that introduced him or her to you. Chances are that you might not be successful at your first try; you should however endeavor to persist by following up through emails and further phone calls. Try building a rapport with the hiring manager and a few others within your target company. That way you might stumble on some leads that would be of assistance during your interview.
2. Hunt for companies rather than for jobs: The joy in this style of job search is that hunting efforts is targeted. Having researched industries, companies and even people, you then focus your search on those industries and companies (and of course people) you desire to work in and work for. You should therefore target companies and not jobs in your search. Further, you need to research your target companies and start working for them before you are invited for any interview at all.
3. Network, network and network: You need to take advantage of all your network connections. At the end of your conversation with any new connection, ask this all important question “Who else do you think I should be talking to?” This way you get to expand your base and get introduced to those who could assist you with your search. Your networking should however be smart and creative. You can network with your alumni, ex employees, friends, career office etc.
4. Read newspapers and magazines to get leads: You can get leads for your job search through reading of newspapers and magazines. You can uncover leads by (i) monitoring the business sections for companies signing new commercial and contracts which portends a good sign for increased capacity. (ii) Search for companies receiving venture capital. Such companies are likely to have a viable business model and will inevitably need new employees.
5. Keep detailed records of your job search: You will need a detailed record of every company you have sent your resumes with a view to following up on your search. Each time you send your resume you should record the following (i) Title of post applied for. (ii) Company name. (iii) Name/title of person addressed in the cover letter. (iv) The source of job lead. (v) Date cover letter/resume was sent. (vi) Date of intended follow up.
6. Use temporary agencies to get full time jobs: Savvy employers use temporary agencies as screening device for needed talents. This is often used as a ploy to put temporary workers through trial/probationary period. A conscientious and talented employee could always get hired through this method. Therefore if offered a temporary job grab it with both hands.
7. Try not to lose contact with ex employers: If you left your old employers in good terms there is nothing stopping you from contacting them once in a while. You could send a short email or make personal visit to notify them that you are still available in the market. They might have clients or contacts that might need your service. They might even want you back too.
8. Try to commence working for potential employers from the interview session: Instead of being like other job seekers, try giving yourself a head start to get hired. Try doing something unusual during the interview. For example if you are applying for a sales position, try going with some sales lead for the company. On the other hand if you are applying for an editing position, try attending the interview with a copy of the publication’s article with your correction. This way you will be adding value to the company before you even start working.
9. Use social network to hunt for jobs: You will not use social network to hunt for jobs directly. You will only use it to build relationships and increase your network. Your network connections could therefore be of assistance when job hunting. They could provide you with leads. Twitter, Face book and LinkedIn could be of assistance here.
10. Send articles about a potential employer: In this guerilla tactic, you are only sending to a potential employer interesting articles about the company. You will attach a note to the articles saying “Thought you might be interested in these.” You could also let the hiring manager know that you are interested in the company and why you are interested in the company.
From the tactics detailed above and several changes being witnessed in job market in recent times, one will realize that the conventional method of job hunting alone no longer works. It is when combined with the unconventional/guerilla techniques that the desired results are achieved. This is because the guerilla tactics of job search penetrate the hidden job market. Further, it restores your life balance because it enhances the quality of your life by automating your job hunt.
I hope you have benefited from reading this article as much as I have in posting it. If you have my joy will be in your taking massive action on it because taking in the information without applying it is poverty.
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
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