As someone who has been laid off a lot, I have applied for about three bijillion jobs throughout my career. I've become a resume nerd through this whole ordeal. I’m always learning about the best format, writing a punchy introduction, tailoring my resume to each position, and having the right level of detail on my LinkedIn profile. Which leads me to...

On the other side, I’ve also been a hiring manager searching for new computer trainers, instructional designers, technical support specialists, and technical writers. 

​As a hiring manager, believe it or not, I very much want you to be the perfect candidate for the position I have open. However, while searching for a new career opportunity is no picnic, being on the other side of hiring is also challenging.

​Unfortunately, many candidates who apply for a job are either not qualified or represent themselves poorly on a resume. Which brings me to my...

As a job candidate, it may often feel like you are at odds with hiring managers, and the companies trying to fill open positions. Want to know the truth? 

​As a hiring manager, I’m really hoping that you are the right candidate for the opening I have.

I’m trying like crazy to find just the right person who can do what I need done and who will enjoy working at my company. Each time I come across a resume that includes a great list of skills, but who makes one or more of the mistakes listed above, you're making it harder for me to sell your skills to my boss and get you the salary you want.

by  Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady

As a bona fide Excel nerd, and meticulous planner, I kept detailed records on my job search journey from layoff #4 through finding a new role. Here are a few statistical highlights of what on earth I did with myself in the months between when my previous role ended and starting a new job. 

I’m including several numbers in this article. Keep in mind that while I pride myself in my ability to count and do basic math, I’m dealing with a very small sample size. (See the “Learn More” section for issues that can be caused by having a small sample size when it comes statistical information.) This article can only barely be called “research” and is more appropriately described as me sharing my personal experience. With that disclaimer, on to the numbers!

• ​Total days in job search: 140
• Working days in job search (removing Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays): 93

• Total number of applications submitted: 49
• Number of applications where I had a professional connection within the company: 24 
• Number of applications where I knew someone who knew someone within the company: 6
• Number of applications prompted by a recruiter contacting me: 4
• Number of applications where I had no professional connection within the company: 15
• Hall of Fame: Most Life Affirming Message After Applying for a Job:
  ​
  Hi Brenda,
  
  Thank you so much for your interest in [Super Cool Company] and for taking the time to apply for the Product Training Manager position. We just wanted to let you know that we received your application, and that we're looking forward to reviewing it.
  
  Have a great day!

• Total number of interviews (phone, webinar and in-person): 45
• Total number of companies who interviewed me: 20
• Number of companies who interviewed me only once: 10
• Number of companies who interviewed me multiple times: 10
• Hall of Shame: Most Interviews for One Job Without Getting an Offer: 10

• Likelihood of getting one interview if I had a professional connection at the company: 54%
• Likelihood of having multiple interviews if I had a professional connection at the company: 33% 
• Likelihood of getting one interview if I knew someone who knew someone at the company: 16%
• Likelihood of getting one interview if I had no professional connection at the company: 13% 

• Number of automated job applications with no response at all: 14
• Number of rejection emails received without any personal contact: 13
• Positions filled with an internal candidate after I had interviewed: 3
• Positions put on hold indefinitely after I was selected to interview: 3
• Jobs where I withdrew (aka “The non-negotiable salary is half of your target salary.”): 1
• Hall of Shame: Least Encouraging Automated Response After Applying for a Job
  
  We have received your application. The processing time for applications may in some instances be up to 4 weeks from the application deadline. We hope that you’ll be patient with us in the meantime.
  
  If you don't hear from us in 4 weeks, you will likely not be part of the selection process. When a position has been filled, all applicants will be notified.
  
  Kind regards
  ​
  The Recruiting Team
  
  (Please Note: This message was automatically generated. Please do not respond.)

• Remember, you only need one job. It helped me to keep this in mind. 
• Use LinkedIn to find out who you know who works for a given company. 
• If you have a professional connection at a company, ask for their help.  I had more success in getting interviews where I had a professional connection who could refer me in or vouch for me. 
• Even if you don’t have a connection at a company, apply anyway.  Applying gives you a shot at getting the job, while not applying at all ensures that you won’t get the job.
• Keep doing the right things. Sometimes, it feels like you network, and apply, and interview and still don't have success. Verify that you are for sure doing the right things, then keep doing them. Eventually something will pop.
• Remember, you only need one job.

• 15 Job Seekers Share the Best Job Search Tips 
• The Layoff Lady: I Just Got Laid Off--Now What? 

In 2019, for the fifth time in my career, I found myself unexpectedly in a position where I needed to change jobs. The last time around, my position was suddenly eliminated on the day I returned from vacation. That was about two years before, and I was not expecting to have to do this again quite so soon. 

Things moved a bit more quickly this time than I initially expected. Keep in mind, too, that about half of the jobs I applied for have not responded. In their defense, I was on and off the market pretty quickly. With that, here’s how this job search shaped up: 
​

• Total Length of Job Search: 47 days
• Number of jobs applied for: 21
• Jobs where I had an employee referral: 11
• Total number of interviews (phone and in-person): 12
• Total number of interviews for companies where I had a referral: 11
• Total interviews for companies where I had no referral: 1
• Total jobs where I had at least one interview: 8
• Total positions for which I applied where I heard nothing at all back ever: 10
• Total where I withdrew due to salary limitations: 4
• Total where I received rejection emails: 4
• Number of offers received: 2
• Number of jobs accepted: 1

My last job search (after layoff #4) lasted 147 days. That's right. It was exactly 100 days longer. So what were the differences between these two job searches? What magic did I use to so quickly land a great new position?

Fortunately (as I look at the bright side), I knew I needed to make a change in late September. I’ve found that being unemployed over the holidays nearly guarantees about an extra month or two of job searching (or, more likely, waiting).

​My last two job searches included the holiday season, lasting 180 and 147 days, respectively. My best advice is to take some time off from job searching over the holidays. This time around, when I estimated the possible length of my period of unemployment, I surmised that I would either secure a new position before Thanksgiving or I’d most likely be waiting to start a new role until February or March of next year. Getting a jump start, even by a couple of weeks, made a big difference.

I started using LinkedIn seriously in 2006. Since then, I’ve connected with coworkers, members of professional development organizations, colleagues with whom I’ve interacted, and pretty much anyone who I encountered and found interesting. I stay active on social media sharing useful content and attend industry meetings on a regular basis. Having this robust professional network and assisting individuals in my network when they are job searching or exploring new fields of interest, has helped me immensely.

​When encountering a position that interested me, I immediately looked to my network to see who might be able to put in a good word for me and help me get pulled out of the initial pile of candidates. I have also had more than one “informal interview” with a possible referrer so they feel comfortable recommending me for a position. Since people are putting their reputations on the line, I don’t take their assistance for granted.  ​