Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Definition of Job Search Insanity

Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. The same concept applies to the job search process. You must be willing to adapt and modify your job search methods if what you are doing is not working for you.

I was told the story today of a military veteran who is having some difficulty with finding a position now that they have separated. The person who told me the story is a trainer that teaches career development skills. They reviewed the service member's resume and recommended some major changes to the resume so that their search would be more effective.

Unfortunately, the service member refused to make the necessary changes. Their comment was that their resume"is good enough." If your goal is to land a job, then a resume or job search effort that is not leading to job interviews is not "good enough."

As you progress in your job search, you must be willing to continually evaluate your efforts so that you can make changes, modifications, or adaptations to optimize your results. It is always best to take a multi-pronged approach to your job search and use a wide variety of search methods. Looking for a job is like navigating a trip on a road map. There are multiple routes you can use to reach your destination, you just need to find the one that is most efficient and works best for you. Here are some alternatives that you might want to try as you explore the best job search methods for you and your goal.


  • Network with friends, relatives, professors, former co-workers, and former supervisors
  • Job search networking events and Chamber of Commerce mixers
  • Internet job boards
  • Research companies in your industry using online resources
  • State Workforce/Career One Stop Center
  • Job fairs and hiring expos
  • Employment agencies
  • College or University career placement centers
  • Unions or trade organizations
  • Professional organizations in your industry

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