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Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

nytimes.com

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Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#81

Post by fapjacks »

TsomArp wrote: post #49
ryanSrich wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

100%. The sooner you build a network and put yourself in a position to not have to apply to jobs the better.

How do you "build a network" at companies you have never worked before, and you have no contacts at? You start adding them to your linkedin and then spamming them with messages saying "please be my friend"? I am asking because I heard this recommendation (build a network) all the time, but it is really really difficult to do, more so if you consider the number of companies where one can apply...

Honestly? Interview. A lot. I spent a couple of years interviewing in order to get better at interviewing (and always have my ear to the rail for better opportunities) and one of the side effects is that I met a lot of cool people doing interesting things. These people are absolutely a part of my network now, and I've referred at least one person to a job they got. It's a lot of work, but starting from zero, it is an excellent way to build a network, get good at interviewing, and most importantly, find a job you like that pays well.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#82

Post by pm90 »

eli_gottlieb wrote: post #78
apsec112 wrote: post #3

In my job search, I've been surprised by how often you submit a resume online, and then you don't even get a rejection email. It's a true "black hole" in that you never hear back, not even with a "no thanks". I think it's disrespectful of candidates to ask them to spend time filling out an application, and then leave them hanging because you're (presumably) too lazy to read it.

I did an on-site almost two weeks ago and haven't heard anything :-/.

That is incredibly frustrating and unprofessional. You have GOT to get in touch with the recruiter/point of contact. Sometimes recruiters leave, or there is a bug in the system and you get dropped, whatever. Just try contacting them to know for sure what happened.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#83

Post by bobbington »

chrisper wrote: post #74
amorphid wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When recruiting, I chose to reject thousands of people. For obvious rejections, I sent an auto generated email that looked like it could be from a human. If someone asked why they'd been rejected, I'd simply say the hiring manager chose to focus on more obvious matches for the position, and that was the end of it. Maybe 1 in 100 asked for feedback, but I didn't keep stats. For a few candidates who were unlikely to be…

>For a few candidates who were unlikely to be a fit, I'd reject them, and say why I didn't think it'd a match. I read that a lot of people don't do this because they are afraid of $RANDOM lawsuit.

This is true. I read an official publication from the state of Texas recommending that employers not give a reason for not hiring to avoid lawsuits.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#84

Post by compuguy »

anarazel wrote: post #80
gnarbarian wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nope ;) try again. It's similar but in a different silo.

Some DOE equivalent? Maybe silo was a subtle hint.

DHS and other intel agencies also have a secret equivalent that has reciprocity with the DoD.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#85

Post by BinaryIdiot »

apsec112 wrote: post #3

In my job search, I've been surprised by how often you submit a resume online, and then you don't even get a rejection email. It's a true "black hole" in that you never hear back, not even with a "no thanks". I think it's disrespectful of candidates to ask them to spend time filling out an application, and then leave them hanging because you're (presumably) too lazy to read it.

Not even that but I'm convinced some companies, like Twitter, have an automated rejection system. I remember submitted my resume online at like 3am PST and getting a response within minutes rejecting me saying I wasn't a good fit for the job (I met all qualifications). So, suspecting it was automated I waited a few days, completely changed up my resume and resubmitted it and it was rejected in less than a minute saying I wasn't the right fit for the job.

Resume submission systems are never good. Always always opt to send directly to a real email address (like in the who's hiring HN threads).

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#86

Post by bobbington »

dukeluke wrote: post #39
siculars wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't depend on them. They depend on you. Always remember that wherever you work: they are renting your time, you are always working to better yourself. Keep staying positive and know there is an opportunity out there for you. Don't get discouraged!

IT workers are losing leverage in the US. Many have been offshored, and most remaining positions are being centralized to a handful of tech hubs in the country. It's good to not lose hope, but don't think as an IT worker, your have infinite leverage.

The advantage of a us based coder is significant. Being in person allows you to build a relationship and trust. My mom always taught me how important that is, and I agree 100%. I think the reason I get business over people in India who work 10x cheaper is that I show people I can be trusted.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#87

Post by Tagore »

I've literally never gotten a job by sending out resumes. Every single job I've had I got through some connection or another.

I actually refused to send my current job a resume. The conversation went like this:

Can you send them a resume?

No- here's my LinkedIn.

But can you send them a resume?

No- here's my LinkedIn.

OK, can you come in for an interview?

Interview.

A month passes.

Can you come in for another interview?

Interview.

Hired.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#88

Post by ryanSrich »

TsomArp wrote: post #77
ryankennedyio wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You jest, but that method literally works. I'm trying to break into finance, from a programming, web-development kind of background (with CS degree), which is a pretty tough nut to crack. I've had a great deal of success just reaching out to people on LinkedIn who've worked on cool stuff in areas I find interesting, message them to see if they're keen to meet for a coffee/beer/etc. Meetups are fun too. A good number…

maybe my target was wrong, but I wrote a nice/short introduction to about 200 recruiters on linkedin, only 3 replied... if recruiters, who should be looking out for candidates, reply so lowly, how many people do you have to contact? by the way, the 3 recruiters replied to me but they never again contacted me back...

My advice would be to never work with recruiters. Their goals aren't aligned with yours. Find the managers and directors at the companies you want to work for. Those are the people you want to talk with.

Re: Thanks for Submitting Your Résumé to This Black Hole

#90

Post by arvinsim »

crispyambulance wrote: post #54

The best way to avoid the "black hole" is to not throw your resume into it in the first place. Instead, use your professional networks and friends. Reach out to actual human beings. Find any way you can to bypass the bullshit online job application systems and HR departments. When people (or programs) go through a stack of resumes, it's all about finding reasons to eliminate as many as possible as quickly as possible…

So you're screwed if you didn't invest in contacts early in your career even if you have the needed experience and skills?

Having a good professional network is not something you can just "turn on" at will.

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