Comments on: How to hire (or find a job): The 3% solution http://corcodilos.com/blog/380/how-to-hire-or-find-a-job-the-3-solution The insider's edge on job search & hiring™ | Copyright © 2008 North Bridge Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:56:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Barry Deutsch http://corcodilos.com/blog/380/how-to-hire-or-find-a-job-the-3-solution/comment-page-1#comment-7245 Barry Deutsch Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:34:33 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=380#comment-7245 In 25 years, over 1500 executive search assignments, less than 1% of the candidates came from a posted advertisement. 99% came from a referral - 2-3 levels deep in the network. These numbers have not changed much in 25 years. I think one of the reasons corporations continue to dump money into ineffective web solutions and advertising is that the corporate recruiter business model is not effective in sourcing candidates through networking - the number one method to find great talent. In 25 years, over 1500 executive search assignments, less than 1% of the candidates came from a posted advertisement. 99% came from a referral – 2-3 levels deep in the network.

These numbers have not changed much in 25 years. I think one of the reasons corporations continue to dump money into ineffective web solutions and advertising is that the corporate recruiter business model is not effective in sourcing candidates through networking – the number one method to find great talent.

]]> By: Deb Dib http://corcodilos.com/blog/380/how-to-hire-or-find-a-job-the-3-solution/comment-page-1#comment-6727 Deb Dib Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:26:49 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=380#comment-6727 Thanks for a great article that clearly states the insanity of the big job boards. The public's been brainwashed to think job boards are the way to go. Plus people will usually take the path of least resistance, and it's a heck of a lot easier (in the short term, until you're broke) to surf the boards, spending hours applying for positions for which you'll be deselected at every pass, even if you are qualified. Resume tracking software is programmed to whittle down the vast numbers of resumes to a few cookie cutter matches (which BTW, never seem to satisfy hiring managers). With a horrific 1% to 3% success rate, why would anyone spend any more than 3% of their time (0% really) applying to the major job boards? The return on effort just isn't there. In fact, it's not even a wash, its a vastly negative return, since being tethered to the boards means job seekers have limited time for the networking, researching, and developing solutions needed for productive face time with target companies (if they even know what those companies are). People are desperate, they are shell-shocked by the speed at which they've been let go, or by the depth of fear of being let go. They are completely unprepared for job search. Many have never had to look for a job as they were always networked into new positions. Yet, when they are actively looking for a new position, they forget that networking and being a solutions provider got them their previous jobs. They think they are being productive as they troll the net for job listings; they would be surprised to know that their actions are really "active disengagement" that disconnects them from the proven activities that work. Thanks for putting the truth out there, NIck. Your perspective has always been valuable; now it's a critical public service! Thanks for a great article that clearly states the insanity of the big job boards. The public’s been brainwashed to think job boards are the way to go. Plus people will usually take the path of least resistance, and it’s a heck of a lot easier (in the short term, until you’re broke) to surf the boards, spending hours applying for positions for which you’ll be deselected at every pass, even if you are qualified.

Resume tracking software is programmed to whittle down the vast numbers of resumes to a few cookie cutter matches (which BTW, never seem to satisfy hiring managers). With a horrific 1% to 3% success rate, why would anyone spend any more than 3% of their time (0% really) applying to the major job boards?

The return on effort just isn’t there. In fact, it’s not even a wash, its a vastly negative return, since being tethered to the boards means job seekers have limited time for the networking, researching, and developing solutions needed for productive face time with target companies (if they even know what those companies are).

People are desperate, they are shell-shocked by the speed at which they’ve been let go, or by the depth of fear of being let go. They are completely unprepared for job search. Many have never had to look for a job as they were always networked into new positions. Yet, when they are actively looking for a new position, they forget that networking and being a solutions provider got them their previous jobs. They think they are being productive as they troll the net for job listings; they would be surprised to know that their actions are really “active disengagement” that disconnects them from the proven activities that work.

Thanks for putting the truth out there, NIck. Your perspective has always been valuable; now it’s a critical public service!

]]> By: Nick Corcodilos http://corcodilos.com/blog/380/how-to-hire-or-find-a-job-the-3-solution/comment-page-1#comment-6714 Nick Corcodilos Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:37:07 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=380#comment-6714 Mario, Smaller "niche" job boards do indeed seem to perform better, and I think it's for the reasons you state. I think that because they are smaller, it's more obvious when they leave old dogmeat posted (dead job listings start to smell) - so they don't. And they don't attract as many "garbage listings" - resumes or jobs. Nonetheless, I think it's important to see any job board for what it is: a board. It's far better to rely on personal contacts. Mario,

Smaller “niche” job boards do indeed seem to perform better, and I think it’s for the reasons you state. I think that because they are smaller, it’s more obvious when they leave old dogmeat posted (dead job listings start to smell) – so they don’t. And they don’t attract as many “garbage listings” – resumes or jobs. Nonetheless, I think it’s important to see any job board for what it is: a board. It’s far better to rely on personal contacts.

]]> By: Ted Williams http://corcodilos.com/blog/380/how-to-hire-or-find-a-job-the-3-solution/comment-page-1#comment-6711 Ted Williams Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:47:33 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=380#comment-6711 Wow, this is an awesome article. I had no idea about those statistics. Thank you for the info! Wow, this is an awesome article. I had no idea about those statistics. Thank you for the info!

]]> By: David Hunt, PE http://corcodilos.com/blog/380/how-to-hire-or-find-a-job-the-3-solution/comment-page-1#comment-6683 David Hunt, PE Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:33:33 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=380#comment-6683 Nick: Absolutely right. And those same people give a total pass when a position for a NEEDED job is open for months, and months, and months... Upper execs should be asking, 'where is everybody?' http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2006/10/30/newscolumn3-Upper-execs-should-be-asking-where-is-everybody.html David Nick:

Absolutely right. And those same people give a total pass when a position for a NEEDED job is open for months, and months, and months…

Upper execs should be asking, ‘where is everybody?’

http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2006/10/30/newscolumn3-Upper-execs-should-be-asking-where-is-everybody.html

David

]]> By: Mario Charette http://corcodilos.com/blog/380/how-to-hire-or-find-a-job-the-3-solution/comment-page-1#comment-6669 Mario Charette Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:30:41 +0000 http://corcodilos.com/blog/?p=380#comment-6669 I wonder if this same critique is applicable to local or more specialized job boards. It seems to me that, when the focus is smaller or narrower, they do a better job, partially because that have to keep contact with a smaller community of which they depend. Your thoughts ? I wonder if this same critique is applicable to local or more specialized job boards. It seems to me that, when the focus is smaller or narrower, they do a better job, partially because that have to keep contact with a smaller community of which they depend. Your thoughts ?

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