It’s a slog, finding a job.

I can’t tell you how many friends and acquaintances have told me they’ve been looking for a new job for the last year or more. Some have college degrees, some don’t. I’m not even sure that’s the problem anymore as there’s just a very competitive job market right now. If you’ve got the amount of experience someone is looking for, I’m don’t think slapping a college degree on your resume makes that much of a difference. For me, when I’m hiring, it’s more important someone’s references and experience are solid. If they also have a degree from a great college, it will get my attention, but I won’t put that applicant above someone without a degree.

There are elements to take into consideration when applying that just weren’t there a few years ago, like automated systems to filter through the pool of applicants. Let’s not forget some companies hope to hire from within, which creates another obstacle ahead. Sometimes you’ll find a job on an online platform then see the dreaded “hundreds of applicants” at the top of the post, that feels unsettling.

The economy is in a weird spot right now too, so that could mean some companies tack on more work to current employees or slow down their hiring processes.

In the radio industry we have so-called “utility workers”, someone who can take on various tasks. So, a company may look for someone with stacked skillsets. Some ideas would be to have a few different resumes, one aimed at a specific title covering various industries, another aimed at various skill sets in one industry where you’ve got the most experience, and yet another with all the things a job notes in their wish list (don’t lie of course, have the skills).

It’s important to schmooze it up too, whether that’s online or in person. Meet new people who might be able to get you in front of a hiring committee. Ask all your friends if they know of anyone hiring, and don’t be a snob, be willing to do what it takes, which may mean a pay cut to get your foot in the door. And the all-time best advice I could give would be to be patiently persistent. In other words, don’t bombard the person who hires. I once had a guy email me daily and bully me, demanding I hire him. That was a major red flag.

Let me know what you think, I’m here to help!