Job Search By Pay Phone

All this while 18 wheelers are flying by kicking dust and debris into your teeth.  Oh yes, and it was in Milwaukee in the dead of winter.  You were scared to remove the phone from your ear fearing that your ear would be left attached to the phone for the next user . . . a week later.

No, despite the possibility of a few recent immaculate conceptions via pay phone, it is not a tool we should be using.

The pay phone example hit me last night as I was out running errands.  I was getting gas and noticed a woman on the gas station’s pay phone. I started guessing what she was doing on a pay phone when she could be in her warm car talking on her cell phone.  We all have one, right?

Well, unfortunately, we may see a few more people on pay phones if this economy keeps up this way. When will people sacrifice their phone freedom as things get tight?  What goes first – text messaging or the latte?  So far it seems like the latter.

Anyway, staying on the theory that using a pay phone during job search is a bit old school, I started thinking of other old school methods for job search.  So below is a review of a few old school methods and a few modern versions of each that you should try or at least be aware of as you take your swing in the job market.

You may have read my post on cover letters.  If not, you can find it here: The Cover Letter Segmentation Study.  In some situations, like a blind mailing, cover letters still have some value.  It introduces you when no one else can.  But, I don’t think there is much value in sending blind resumes.  Blind means your envelope shows up on the tall in-box of the HR group and there’s a good chance the right person’s eyes will never see it.  What’s the modern version of the cover letter? Well, social networking of course!  Why send in a blind resume when you could connect with someone who works at the company?  Also, if your competition has a person on the inside, you are now on the outside.

So, get on LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook and look to make real connections with people who will want to help you.  See my posts called Are you a LION or a lamb?  How to survive on LinkedIn for my views on how to effectively use LinkedIn.  You can also look to a great book by Jason Alba called I’m on LinkedIn, now what???.

Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you to toss your resume.  It is still a required tool in the game of job searching.  But if that’s all you have, you will be frowned on by some hiring managers.  Have you heard of the Visual CV?  It is an online home for your resume that really brings you to life.  It allows you to add a picture, charts, graphs or anything else that shows off your work.  It also shows, instantly that you are a modern professional who knows about the new tools (in job search and, by extension, in the business world).  Now I have heard that some recruiters don’t like these because the graphics can get in the way of some key information.  So, be careful not to overdo it.

In addition, what do you look like online?  If I Google you, what will I find?  Hopefully a well-filled out LinkedIn profile and other examples of your successes in the world.  Your online brand plays a role in supporting the credibility of your resume.  Use these tools to create a credible voice for your brand online!  One site in particular will help here.  Dan Schawbel’s Personal Branding Blog.

Where do you get information on job search strategy, on companies that are hiring and on trends in the market? Well, the internet, of course.  If you are still looking through microfiche down at the library or know someone who is, well, good luck.  So where are some of the smart folks going to get real time information?  A relatively new blog called Career Alley has been consistently providing great links related to job search.  You should bookmark this blog.

Join groups on LinkedIn.  The good ones include Talent Bar, Career Rocketeer, Indeed, Success Through Networking and, of course, Tim’s Strategy. For other groups, LinkedIn has a good search function.

Also, you knew this was coming.  Get on Twitter and follow the following people:

Oh, and just for fun, also follow:  chrisbrogan, guykawasaki, jonathanmead, problogger, zenhabits