Job Hunting Tip #2: Don’t Send Resume Just Because

Over the past two weeks we have received in excess of 200 resumes from the job postings we have listed on behalf of our clients. All of these job postings are for Analyst positions; yet, candidates who have no intention of doing analyst-level work are applying for these positions “just because” they want to have us have their resume available should some other opportunities surface.

Note to candidates: THIS IS A BAD STRATEGY!

We had one candidate who graduated in 1974 and was most recently the Chief Investment Officer of a company. For fun I contacted this candidate to see if indeed they had the Argus skills and wanted to do computer-based analytical work. The candidate responded “not really” and told me that they were really looking for a management position.

Another candidate wrote to me, “The only thing I see that doesn’t match my credentials is the years of experience. Looks like they want someone with 1-3 years, while I have 3 times that.”

DUH!

Companies do not want to hire somebody with 9 years of experience for an analyst job as they know that as soon as the market improves that person would look for another position. Additionally, the need for companies to hire analysts with updated technical skills is critical to being successful at the job. If the last time one completed a spreadsheet was when they were in grad school working with Lotus and WYSIWHG, then make note to self…this is not a job you can do!

My advice…you are wasting your time applying for positions that are so significantly junior to your work experience and background. There is a plethora of qualified candidates that have the appropriate number of years experience and the specific technical skills to do the analyst jobs today. I know that it is tough to be unemployed but the answer is not sending your resume out to every single employer posting.