September Newsletter: Low Effort, Low Impact vs. High Effort, High Impact: Which Job Search Strategy Works?

Low Effort, Low Impact vs. High Effort, High Impact: Which Job Search Strategy Works?

The short answer is both. An effective job search should leave no stone unturned. But it is important to understand that some stones are better turned than others.

Applying Online Gets You In The Queue

Let’s be honest. Job seekers most easily gravitate to the lowest-effort strategy available: applying online. Online job postings feel so actionable and immediate. They are easy to track, providing satisfaction knowing that you have done something tangible to find that next job.

But here’s the problem: applying online doesn’t work very well.

Competing for posted positions is fast becoming the least effective way to land a job because once a job is posted, employers are flooded with candidates and resort to screening systems to eliminate almost everyone. If you’re spending most of your time clicking “Apply,” you’re playing the long odds.

If the average job attracts 250 candidates and the company hires only one person, you can do the math.  That’s 249 job seekers who agree this is a longshot, and one who thinks applying online is the perfect way to go.

The takeaway here is not that you should abandon applying online but rather it is important to augment that approach with something that will skew the odds in your favor.

That is where humans come into play.

Networks Help You Cut In Line

Executing the higher-effort strategy of networking, referrals, and strategic outreach is intimidating and exhausting for most people. It can take time. It requires vulnerability. And it doesn’t provide the dopamine hit of a confirmation email.

But it works because most jobs are, and always have been, filled through informal channels. That’s not a theory, it’s a fact. The people who get hired are the ones known by influencers before the job is posted or even exists.

Referred candidates are four times more likely to land a job through their referrals versus those who were discovered through company recruitment websites. A full 88% of employers rated employee referrals as the most reliable source for generating quality new hires.

Good Technique Is Critical For Success And Self Preservation

A common misconception regarding networking is that it is focused on hitting up people you barely know or haven’t talked to in years to help you find a job. But this is 180 degrees away from the direction that you should take.

It takes months or years to build the kind of rapport that will drive someone to be your champion. Trading social capital to request a supervisor, client, or colleague to have a conversation with a needy friend is an extremely tall order.

Most people are not willing or able to put themselves on the line like that.

The key is to reverse engineer the mindset to think of yourself as the solution to a business problem so that you can build a network of professionals who either have those types of problems or deal regularly with those who do. This approach tilts the conversation toward how you can help a networking partner vs. how they can help you.

It’s a more empowering way to network because it’s about what you offer, not what you need. For more info on effective networking, check out some of my earlier newsletters on What Is the Hidden Job Market? and https://www.job-guy.com/blog/how-to-find-a-job-through-networking.

Networking Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving

The most compelling reason for committing to networking is that it is the gift that keeps on giving. Applying for a job today does provide that 1% or 2% chance of nailing a role right away. But having a connection in place who can help navigate around the screening process dramatically improves those odds.

But those same networking connections can help with jobs that may appear tomorrow, next month or in five years when the next search may be underway. They can also connect you to opportunities that may otherwise be invisible to you. The effort you invest in networking now will save you time in the long run.

Fall is a great time to shift gears. Decision-makers are back. Budgets are being finalized. And the window for strategic outreach is wide open.

Don’t waste it.

A Favorite LinkedIn Testimonial

Pamela hired the Job Guy in the midst of the pandemic when it was very difficult to get interviews and conduct effective networking meetings. Another of our challenges is that Pamela had developed an impressive array of skills through volunteer and committee work that was challenging to claim in a meaningful way on a resume and LinkedIn profile. Our work together covered a clever resume rewrite and leveraging both the published and hidden job markets.

As you can see in her testimonial, she was quite successful in landing a new gig.

"During the pandemic, a colleague of mine recommended I speak with John to help update my resume. Well, he had me at hello as he was instantly funny and friendly. I was nervous going into this as I was not sure he would understand my professional and volunteer experience. Well, he did. John listens, takes notes, is very clear up front about a tiered cost for his services, what he recommends and not pushy to choose the most expensive. He is very budget conscious and helps you understand the way resumes work in today’s world.

He’s been doing this for a long time and stays relevant to the “times”. He mentioned to me to change my LinkedIn profile photo which I never would have thought about but to make it more professional and less casual.

The bottom line is, I have recommended John to a few friends of mine without hesitation. I did get a new job and I know he helped in that process. He also helps you feel confident for interviews, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles—there is no stone left unturned. He is an investment worth the time and money."

Job Guy’s Search Tip of the Month

October is a Great Month for Job Search!

This is an interesting time of year because job seekers have the opportunity to compete for jobs that are open now but also to become known by influencers in advance of the peak Q1 hiring season! Many reasons exist to get excited about the double benefit of an October search.

Decision-Makers Are Back and Focused

After summer vacations and early fall ramp-up, hiring managers, department heads, and recruiters are fully engaged. They’re no longer catching up, they’re planning ahead. Budget meetings are wrapping up, Q4 priorities are being finalized, and teams are assessing gaps before year-end. This means conversations about hiring are active, not hypothetical.

Pre-Holiday Hiring Window

October is the last full month before the holiday slowdown begins. If a company wants someone onboard before Thanksgiving, they need to move now. Interviews can be scheduled and completed before mid-November. Offers can be extended before budgets freeze. New hires can start in early January with onboarding already planned. This urgency makes October a sweet spot for outreach and referrals.

Strategic Networking Feels Natural

Fall brings a shift in tone with less vacation chatter and more professional focus. That makes October ideal for:

reconnecting with former colleagues (“Hope your fall’s off to a good start…”), asking for informational interviews (“I’m exploring a pivot before year-end…”), and offering help or insight (“Saw your team’s heading in a new direction, happy to share ideas…”). It’s easier to start conversations when people are in planning mode.

The Hidden Job Market Heats Up

Many roles aren’t posted yet, but they’re being scoped. October is when internal teams start identifying needs for Q1, even if the job won’t go live until January. Networking now means you’re top of mind when roles open. Referrals made in October often convert in Q1. You can often shape the role before it’s finalized.

While the job market this Fall is a bit weird, it is still the best month for the rest of the year to find a new job. For more tips optimizing the search check out Job Guy’s September blog post.

If you’ve had success with networking or referrals lately, I’d love to hear your story. Drop me a note or share it on LinkedIn.