The Ideal Job Search vs. Reality

If only it was that easy.

The reality is that most companies use a standard job search process and job searching typically isn't as cut and dry as this.

The reality is that most hiring managers have other things to do and won't drop everything to accommodate your desire to find a new job in your desired timeframe.

The reality is that looking for a job often ends up being a numbers game where you send out many resumes to many companies and don't hear back from most of them.

This doesn't necessarily mean you are doing everything wrong although it doesn't mean you are doing everything right either.

The reality is that most hiring managers want to see your resume before they will interview you.

Yes, some job searchers and some recruiters will get interviews scheduled without a resume but in most cases this won't occur because most companies use the traditional hiring process.

This isn't to say it can't happen. You can get a job through non-traditional methods by meeting the right person, being referred to the right decision maker or simply being in the right place at the right time and impressing the hiring manager without benefit of a resume.

Typically though, applying for a job means having a resume handy. While you can get a job without having to go through all the typical steps of the job search process, be ready to take part in each of them just in case.

If they want to see a resume, you are going to need to have one ready.

If they want to bring you in for three interviews and have you write a test, you're going to need to do that too.

At the end of the day, the hiring company typically determines the hiring process, not you.

Take command of your career by always having an updated resume and always keeping your eyes open for your next career opportunity.

The best candidate for a job is often the candidate who is already happily working.

The best time to look for a new job is often when you are happily working because the chance that you will take a new job out of desperation is eliminated.

In other words, the ideal job search is one that you are conducting voluntarily and not because you hate your current job and are desperate to escape.

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