Beyond Job Boards: Supercharge Your Late Summer Job Search

As the warm days of summer begin to wane, many parents and new graduates find themselves shifting gears, preparing for a return to career life. If you’ve spent the past months tirelessly scrolling through job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn with little to no success, it might be time to rethink your approach.

While online job boards have become the default method for many job seekers, relying solely on them can often lead to frustration and burnout, especially in a competitive market. But what if there was a different way—one that involves a bit more legwork but could yield better results?

Why Job Boards Aren’t Enough

Job boards are a great resource, but they’re also highly competitive. When you apply for a job through a site like Indeed, your resume is often one of hundreds, if not thousands. It’s easy for your application to get lost in the shuffle, especially if you don’t have a degree or extensive experience. This is where a more personalized, direct approach can make a significant difference.

The Power of Legwork: A Case Study

Consider the experience of one of our AdnohrDocs resume clients, a first-generation immigrant seeking work in the financial services sector. After months of applying to jobs through sites like Indeed and LinkedIn, they got interview opportunities, but the roles were not aligned with what they were looking for, either in terms of responsibilities or salary. They were frustrated with the lack of progress, so they finally decided to take the proactive approach recommended by AdnohrDocs for all candidates: a targeted job search strategy.

They began by researching businesses and organizations for direct inquiry and application. Using a spreadsheet (you can find a template on the AdnohrDocs website), they collected emails and contact information from financial services companies in their area. Then, with the help of a mail merge tool, they personalized their outreach to each business, inquiring about any available opportunities.

The results? Out of 25 emails sent, they received nine responses within hours and secured three interviews by the end of the week. This approach got them noticed and opened doors to new opportunities that weren’t available through job boards alone. This kind of initiative and determination—qualities highly valued by employers—put them on the radar of companies that may not have even been actively hiring.

Why Legwork Works: A Closer Look

Relying solely on job boards for a job search can be insufficient for several reasons:

1. High Competition and Overwhelming Applicant Pools: Job boards often attract a large number of applicants for each position, making it difficult for individual applications to stand out. For example, some job postings receive hundreds or even thousands of applications, which can make it challenging for candidates to get noticed.

2. Limited Visibility and Use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use ATS to filter resumes, and only a small percentage of applications are ever reviewed by a human. This means that even if a candidate applies through a job board, there is no guarantee that their resume will be seen by a recruiter.

3. Not All Job Openings Are Posted on Job Boards: A significant number of job opportunities are filled through networking or internal referrals before they are ever posted on job boards. This means that relying solely on job boards can result in missing out on many potential opportunities.

4. Quality of Candidates and Passive Nature of Job Boards: Job boards tend to attract a wide range of applicants, many of whom may not be the best fit for the position. Additionally, the best candidates are often not actively searching for jobs on these platforms, meaning that employers might miss out on top talent.

5. Lack of Personalization and Networking Opportunities: Job boards do not facilitate personal connections or networking, which are often key to securing a job. Networking can lead to referrals, which are generally more effective in landing a job than applying through job boards.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to try a similar approach, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Research Local Businesses: Start by identifying companies in your area that align with your career goals. You can use Google, LinkedIn, relevant industry or trade directories, or even drive around your neighborhood to find potential employers. These directories often list businesses by sector, making it easier to find companies that align with your professional interests. For those interested in public sector roles, don't forget to explore city, state, and federal job opportunities.

2. Compile a Contact List: Create a spreadsheet with columns for the company name, email address, location, and any other relevant details. This will help you keep track of your outreach efforts.

3. Craft a Personalized Message: Write a basic email template introducing yourself and expressing your interest in potential job opportunities. Make sure to tailor each email by including specific details about the company to show you’ve done your research.

4. Use Mail Merge Tools: If you’re reaching out to multiple businesses, consider using a mail merge tool to personalize each email without having to rewrite it every time. This can save you time while still maintaining that personal touch.

5. Follow Up: If you don’t hear back within a week, don’t be afraid to follow up. A polite reminder can often bring your email back to the top of the recipient’s inbox.

As you transition from the lazy days of summer back to the hustle and bustle of career life, consider stepping off the beaten path. By putting in the legwork and reaching out directly to employers, you can open doors that job boards might keep closed. It’s a strategy that takes time and effort, but the potential rewards are well worth it. For parents and new graduates in our AdnohrDocs community, this late summer/early fall job search season could be the perfect opportunity to try something new. Remember, the journey to career success is not always a straight line—sometimes, it’s the paths less traveled that lead to the most rewarding destinations.

Incorporate this proactive strategy into your job search today, and don’t forget to check our YouTube channel @AdnohrCareerNotes for more career tips and advice as you navigate your next steps!