When people are in a job search it is easy to get lulled into a false sense of security with all the job openings found online.  There are a plethora of sites and open positions listed.  But too many job seekers rely on applying online as their primary, if not only, strategy.  It seems like a logical approach in a career search.  It is easy to do and feels like a meaningful activity.

But most things in life that are easy aren’t necessarily the best option.

As a seasoned recruiter I would strongly advise anyone in a job search to take a more strategic and effective approach.  Here are a few reasons you may want to reconsider relying solely on applying to jobs online.

Most companies’ Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are a “black hole” of candidates who have applied online or via other sources.  Internal recruiting departments are swamped with applications and have a hard time keeping up. They frequently miss even highly qualified applicants due to sheer volume.  I have personally witnessed very strong, qualified candidates who applied online yet were not found by the internal recruiting team.  They were in the system, had the right mix of experience and qualifications, but the internal recruiter didn’t even know they were in the system until I called their attention to it.

Another common occurrence is many jobs have been filled by the time the company gets around to posting it online. It could be because someone was promoted internally, came via referral from an existing employee, or came from an external recruiter, like me.  The position was vacant and before the company got around to posting it a candidate was already identified and offered the position.  Why do they post it after the fact? Soley for compliance reasons (EEOC, legal requirements, reporting, etc.).

And believe it or not, some companies post jobs that don’t even exist.  Why?  Because they are “trolling” for candidates they may need in the future.   This is a common practice internal recruiting teams utilize to always have a pipeline of candidates by stocking their ATS.  Sounds terrible, right?  It’s real, trust me.

In other cases the internal recruiter responsible for the position may have a “favorite” candidate they want to move through the process based on their own preferences. It could be someone they interviewed previously that they developed a rapport with, or even a colleague they know from prior experience.  That means you will never be presented to the actual decision maker, the hiring manager.  Internal recruiters want to look good to their bosses and hiring managers by being part of the decision process.  Again, trust me on this.

This is a short list, but there are other reasons you should not rely on applying online. Your best bet is to find someone who can be your “bridge” into the company via referral.  If you haven’t read “What Color is Your Parachute,” by Richard Nelson Bolles, I would highly recommend it for this very reason.  While it was written in 1970 it has been revised annually since 1975 and the 2022 edition has updated content relevant to today’s online world.  One of the most valuable concepts is to make connections in the industries and companies you are targeting.  These connections can be influential advocates who introduce you to the individual actual making the hiring decision.

A recent Wall Street Journal article cited statistics that 30% of hires are made by job seekers finding someone to network within the company.  And that is only one source of networking much more effective than hitting “Easy Apply.”

One of the best things about being in a job search today is the speed at which you can increase the size of your professional network.  Early in my career our options were limited.  Developing personal and professional contacts and attending actual networking events were the best approach.  You literally had to meet people in person, shake hands and exchange business cards.  Today job seekers can do this very efficiently online through networking sites, especially LinkedIn.  With the right strategy and approach your professional network can expand very quickly.  Finding jobs online is simple and efficient.  It is the specific steps you take after you find the ideal company or dream job that makes all the difference in your career search.