←back to thread

Ask HN: What job search strategies work for you?

44 points Jabbs | 3 comments | 15 Nov 24 17:07 UTC | HN request time: 0.622s | source

I’ve been laid off since June and have not been getting responses from most of my applications other than denials. I have 10+ years mostly Ruby/React/JS. New just working on a side project (job listing scraper) but curious what is working well for you? Specific apps or strategies that lead to your hiring?
Show context
MrVandemar ◴[16 Nov 24 02:04 UTC] No.42153488[source]▶
1. Don't look for advertised jobs. Phone a place you want to work, find out who their hiring manager or whatever is, physically drop in a resume and cover letter addressed to that person.

2. Do a first aid course if you haven't done one. Out of two otherwise equal candidates, a first aid cert is a nice tie-breaker. Or a "how to use a fire extinguisher" course.

3. Go lateral. It's easier to get a job when you have a job. I found work as a medical receptionist/IT guy. Now they have a wiki, dynamic PDF forms, better typography, Open Office, spreadsheets for time-sheets, text expanding software, and on-the-ground tech support for paper jams, etc.

replies(2): >>42153699 #>>42156555 #
1. jdbdbdjdh ◴[16 Nov 24 14:15 UTC] No.42156555[source]▶
Have you tried getting a new job in the last 20 years? I'm a tech hiring manager and if someone tries to apply in person they are automatically dismissed since it's safe to assume they are not competent enough to read the clear instructions on how to apply on the website.

Also only happend like two times in my experience

Also why would any company care if you have a first aid course.

replies(2): >>42156833 #>>42161286 #
2. yurishimo ◴[16 Nov 24 15:12 UTC] No.42156833[source]▶
I think it entirely depends on the market you live in. If I was wanting to apply for a job at a local company in a midwestern college town, dropping by in person might be seen as folksy and community oriented. Dropping in to the 29th floor of a random building in Manhattan to drop off a resume might be taken as you described however.

The world is more complicated than always/never.

3. MrVandemar ◴[17 Nov 24 01:43 UTC] No.42161286[source]▶
YMMV obviously. Context is important. I wouldn't apply to Google like that for example! But a local web-shop? Defintitely. And yeah, it is important to research first, such as checking if they have existing channels.

But never underestimate an in-person appearance. An resume is easy to chuck in the bin, a person is less easy to dismiss.