HR professionals, Hiring Managers and Recruiters all have the same story when it comes to receiving resumes from jobseekers: “Where are they getting their advice!” The Internet is full of “tips for jobseekers” and “how to write a winning resume” but it seems to be the same advice over and over while jobseekers today are struggling to figure out what is the “best” advice to help them turn their job search into a job offer.
Jobseekers have been expressing their frustration over the “process” from dealing with Applicant Tracking Systems that seem to take forever to get through to not getting follow-up after interviews. They have been following the advice that they find online and think that it’s the recruiters and HR people that are the problem.
At the same time, recruiters and HR professionals have been left wondering: “Where are all the star candidates!” Resumes either come in with too little or too much information, read like a job description instead of listing accomplishments and even candidates trying to circumvent the recruiting process you have set up because they have been told that’s the best way to get an interview.
Truth is: Jobseekers just a little lost and needing some real time guidance from those they are trying to get a new position from instead of all this internet advice.
Seven years ago, an idea to help bridge that gap between the job placers and the job seekers was sparked and #JobHuntChat was born. The premise was to bring together HR and Recruiting professionals who could offer current and live advice to jobseekers struggling with questions such as: How do I get myself in touch with the Hiring Manager in a way that will generate a conversation? or How can I keep myself from being viewed as ‘overqualified’ for a job? Founded by Rich DeMatteo (@CornOnTheJob), the original moderators included Jessica Miller-Merill (@blogging4jobs) and Nicole Crimaldi (@MsCareerGirl). Today, the team consists of: Josh Rock (@JRock96), Jen Novak (@NextJenHR), Barb Buckner (@BarbBuckner), Steve Davis (@Recruit4U) and Tim Baker (@TimBakerHR).
Every Monday night at 7pmPT/9pmCT/10pmET, jobseekers, recruiters and HR professionals are invited to participate in an hour long Twitter chat by following the hashtag #JobHuntChat.
Topics will include how to write your resume, how to find those non-published jobs, the in’s and out’s of networking in your jobs search, and so much more. The moderators change the topic from week to week to do their best to incorporate every step of the job search process from how to apply, how to interview and even how to best follow-up.
But, the chat has now evolved to be more than just an “advice” session…it now incorporates networking opportunities for jobseekers to connect with recruiters and HR professionals. Whether you have an open position you are trying to fill or may know someone that is, helping these jobseekers by pointing them towards the right people to talk to and the right approach to take in today’s market has resulted in many of them landing new positions after months of frustration in their job search.
Want to help today’s jobseekers and possibly find your next candidate? Join #JobHuntChat on Twitter on Monday nights and share your expertise…and make some new connections as well!