Times are tough all over, and good job leads can be hard to come by, which makes emails like the one I recently got all the more dispiriting, when it comes to how we get hired on the Internet.
I was laid off earlier this year, so I know from recent experience that the job market in IT can be dryer than a bone in the desert. Especially hard hit are senior managers and executives who are having a hard time returning to the glory days of the late 1990s when growth seemed endless. And it doesn't help that current bailout poster boys like AIG CEO Robert Benmosche are giving executive perks a bad name. So much for that golden parachute on my next job.
Despite statistics that say guys like me get better job leads, staging a comeback during this recession has been a challenge.
But what struck me in the aforementioned email was the spammy nature of the job recruitment site:
I recently received your contact information from Federated Services (our parent company). They have contacted us to assist you (should you currently be in a job search) by providing you access to one of our job databases. You may be a strong match for new positions that need to be filled.
The next step is to submit your updated resume electronically so we can run an automated search. Simply click on the correct link below and follow the instructions to upload your most recent resume information.
FOR INCOME $50k - $100k: http://www.50kandup.com
FOR INCOME OVER $100k: http://www.100andup.com
So I checked them both out. Hmm... do I take the low-paying job or the high-paying job? Decisions, decisions... Oh, I guess I deserve more than $100,000 a year. Don't we all?
The sites are nothing special. They charge recruiters as little as $150 for a 30-day job posting and as much as $2,500 for 12 months of unlimited job postings.
What made me laugh was the kinds of resumés being posted for these six-figure positions.
I'm sorry. I'm sure the owner of River City Rickshaw is really talented, but I doubt he'll be getting the $100K+ salary he's asking for. The same could be said for the poor marketing manager and president of Evergreen Helicopters in Wasilla, Alaska, though to be fair, if he has access to Sarah or Todd, that might be worth paying for. And he can see Russia from there.
I'm not a big fan of recruitment sites in general. The way they require so much opt-in leaves you open to information skimming, and there are always the finder's fees involved.
I'd be interested in hearing how C-level executives are best networking their way through the job market. Anybody here use 100andup.com? Anyone like me feel that pitching this over email was a bad marketing decision? Let us hear from you on the message board.
— Michael Singer, Senior Editor, Internet Evolution. His focus includes executive issues... What's top of mind for CEOs, CIOs, and CTOs?
Great list -- many of the sites that involve networking are the best in my opinion. Networking is an outstanding way to not only keep in touch with the marketplace but also find that next great job!
Pretty sure that no fun out there is an understatement.
But have no fear. This website will get you a job for 100K. Just submit your resume.
Makes sense to me to offer the recruiter a bonus from your first actual paycheck. That would stop the lions share of these type of sites, and listings, if compensation was actually somehow tied to performance!!!
Being that I am active in the job market, I come across these kinds of things all the time. If you actually send companies like this a resume, you will get a quick reply(sometimes within the hour) extolling your virtues as one of the top candidates for the position.... "why, thank you very much."
What's so scary about these listings is that the economic downturn allows them to thrive. Those struggling to find work are fed up, and salivate over the promise of a paycheck. I expect this sort of thing to become less of an issue when the climate changes.
It won't make the scams go away, but it should make them look less promising.
Having had plenty of opportunities for career changes, the one thing that is always glaringly evident is the parasitic nature of these Web sites.
That is to say, if ever someone is in a vulnerable mindset it is during either unemployment or a career change. Depending on one's individual circumstances the desperation meter widely swings.
These sites whether the be job search, recruiters, or headhunters, all process the same strengths. That power, is the power of hope. People become entrenched in their personal and financial despair and will drink the sand to get back among the work force and fix their finances. With this in mind, the predatory nature of the employment marketer gives them a very large leg up on the often vulnerable candidate.
For all those that seek work and receive these SPAM type offers, beware, be smart, be cautious.
Networking through LinkedIn or some of the other afore mentioned sites will far exceed any results you may get with the scammers.
That's such a great idea that I'm going to Steal(tm) it!
That a valid point you raise: increase your profile on the Internet in a positive manner (not by doing Keggers on Facebook!) that can help your career goals.
I see a blog in my future in the next few days...got some ideas I want to float out into the Aether/Ether/Internet...
I agree with keeping your own blog, even if you are using one of those free sites.
Another suggestion I got from an outplacement service was that you should spend as much time in the gym as you spent commuting between home and office.
As to the various networking techniques, think about your 6-degrees of separation. Make a list of all the people who sent you their condolances. You'll want to follow up with them later to ask if they can help with introductions.
Fantastic suggestions Math! I would also advise anyone looking for work, or even if you're not, to set up a personal blog on a topic related to the line of work/industry you're hoping to find a job in. It's an opportunity to demonstrate that you're keeping on top of what's going on and also a forum to share your unique insights with potential employers, beyond what a resume is capable showing.
It seems these sites are best avoided. In fact, I got the same email Michael did, but assumed it was a hoax. While it may be simply an overblown offer for a very limited service, I'm not convinced anyone can find a decent job on a site that, in a recession where many folk are looking for work, must take to spamming to get its word out.
The ThinkerNet does not reflect the views of TechWeb. The ThinkerNet is an informal means of communication to members and visitors of the Internet Evolution site. Individual authors are chosen by Internet Evolution to blog. Neither Internet Evolution nor TechWeb assume responsibility for comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and ThinkerNet bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
If the 1970s were the "Me Decade" and the 1990s was the dawn of the "Information Age," then will the 2010s have the distinction of being known as the "Big Data" decade?
With massive amounts of data, growing costs, and increased complexity, CIOs and CTOs face their most challenging environment yet for data backup systems in 2010.
Oracle Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCL)'s plans for integrating Sun Microsystems Inc. into one hardware and software giant should give channel and supply chain partners of both companies great concern.
Perhaps it's a sign of a turnaround or perhaps just a sign of renewed confidence in the marketplace, but executive compensation is expected to make a comeback in 2010, according to data published this week by Equilar.
Smarter Collaboration: How to Thrive in a Challenging Business Environment Market conditions are changing faster than ever, and organizations need to improve their agility and adaptability in order to provide better service and improve processes. The ability to work with customers, business partners, and employees as effectively as possible - while at the same time holding down costs - is a key to success. READ THIS eBOOK
your weekly update of news, analysis, and
opinion from Internet Evolution - FREE! REGISTER HERE
Wanted! Site Moderators Internet Evolution is looking for a handful of readers to help moderate the message boards on our site – as well as engaging in high-IQ conversation with the industry mavens on our thinkerNet blogosphere. The job comes with various perks, bags of kudos, and GIANT bragging rights. Interested?
To save this item to your list of favorite Internet Evolution content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
When Reiter gets incensed over incompetent Verizon FiOS order-taking and support, he broadcasts it via Twitter. Did it do any good? How should your company offer Twitter support? Watch this for all the answers.
Evidence shows that you can tweet too much. Sites and services like Twitter and Facebook are a good place to reach your audience, but think quality over quantity.
As enterprises leap into the Web 2.0 world of blogging, commenting, and social networking, just 'being there' won't deliver ROI. You may want a 'Web Evangelist' to systematically harvest the feedback in order to polish your product or service.
More companies are trolling social networks to find and vet potential job candidates. Beware the pitfalls of blurring the line between personal and professional lives.
Some of the "cool" people are testing a new Web service: Blippy. It could be a great data source for corporations to glean info about customers’ credit card purchases. But it has all sorts of possible privacy and security problems. Buyer beware!
Foursquare is a new, annoying, social networking service with geo-location and a game-playing aspect. Despite the dopey messages from participants, there is some value not only for users but, amazingly, even for businesses.
Social networking is an important Internet trend that companies should rush to embrace. Every employee should be given the opportunity to interact with potential customers and partners on social networks at work. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
Research shows that the youth of today like Facebook – but not blogging or Twitter. Does that mean Facebook has won, or just that it's not yet out of favor? Will all the services we see today fade into Ovaltine-or-Wheaties status in just a few years?
What kinds of companies are doing the most innovation in the data center? Turns out it's midtier enterprises that are taking the "Just Right" approach.
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Email This
TWEET THIS
