Hatrack River Forum: Tell me about finding jobs on Monster.

This is topic Tell me about finding jobs on Monster. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :

I just want to get a general idea of the Monster job search process.

-pH

Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :

*is also trying to find a new job*
*piggybacks*

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

It's been a couple years since I've used Monster to look for jobs, but it's pretty easy.

Post your resume, so you can automatically apply to the jobs you find (I would suggest a couple of slightly modified versions if you're looking for similar jobs, say Line Cook and Head Cook, emphasizing the important experience for each).

Browse the jobs in your location by keyword, apply to the ones you like. Hope they write you back.

I never had a lot of luck, and did much better going to local headhunters or checking Craigslist and other smaller venues.

Monster seemed to me to be best suited to executive level jobs, because all the jobs with less strict qualifications probably had hundreds of applicants.

If there's no barrier of entry, anyone who is even slightly qualified will just one-click apply to all the jobs. The poor person doing the hiring will be sifting through dozens if not hundreds of worthless applications, hoping to find yours.

In other words, I wouldn't stake my job hunt on monster. Certainly use it, but try smaller, and more personal routs. If you can network, that's your best bet.

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :

Somebody already emailed me from it...I don't really know if it's even something I'd be interested in, but I figure maybe it'd be good practice to go for an interview anyway?

-pH

Posted by Swampjedi (Member # 7374) on :

I posted my resume, made it searchable, and waited.

I think I might have applied to a few, but the offer I finally got (and turned down) came 'out of the blue.'

Posted by kwsni (Member # 1831) on :

I hope they have something in your field. They never have anything agricultural.

Ni!

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

Every time I've tried to use Monster.com I end up getting a crap load of responses for those door to door salesman jobs that absolutely nobody wants. So, I've never had any luck.

I always have much better success just walking into a business and handing the HR person my resume and then calling them over and over again until I get an interview.

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :

Well, there are jobs available here for business grads...but most people seem to want engineers. [Grumble]

I might just end up calling up one of my old coworkers and asking him if he knows any studios around here that want a business-minded person around. The money's not nearly as good, but the hours are much more flexible.

-pH

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

My son posted his resume' on Monster and just got tons of hits and e-mails from insurance companies looking for "area salesmen". Not in his area of interest or field at all -- they must just hit everyone that posts a new resume there.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

"Make 80K a year selling our product! (actual sales may vary) Work from home! (except when you have to leave it) No cold calling! (except that you have to make cold calls)"

That's what 3/4 of the stuff on Monster seems to be lately.

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

yup, that's pretty much all I got out of it.

Posted by TrapperKeeper (Member # 7680) on :

I am in the process of looking for a new job. Monster and various others like it seem to have what I would call "bottom Feeding" jobs. Mostly high turn over sales positions.

If a company has to advertise its positions, chances are they are not positions many of us would want. Not saying that there are not those out there that it would be ideal for, but personally I've past the point in my life where the quality of jobs on Monster is something I would want.

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

Say more about local "headhunters" -- the hows/whos/etc . . .

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

Headhunters can be good or bad. I've tried using bad ones, who will shove your resume out there to anyone who wants it and will get you all sorts of interviews you aren't qualified for and don't want.

Then there are some good headhunters who will ask you a lot of questions, discuss your options, and find jobs that fit your skills and are jobs you would like to work. They then get you the interview, often cutting through the BS with the HR dept and getting your right to the person who'll be hiring you.

Sometimes the headhunter will even negotiate your salary for you, usually getting you more than you would have expected.

Make sure you don't give the headhunter any money. They make money when they get you a job, and they get the money from the company who hires you, as a finder's fee. Don't pay them, and don't sign anything that says they get part of your salary or that you owe them anything.

Also, if they aren't representing you well, tell them to stop, that you've found a job and don't need their help. The last thing you want is a bad headhunter making you look bad.

Horror stories aside, a good headhunter can get you a great job, one you might not have been able to get on your own because it wasn't publicly advertised.

Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :

Most new jobs aren't publicly advertised. I got two really good jobs from those that were, though.

Nevil Shute Norway said he always gave the job to the person who went to the most trouble to get it, and he never went wrong that way. I think that's wise advice (on the hiring end), and think perhaps it can be smart on the jobhunting end as well. If there's a job that's your absolute dream job, then be persistent, go in person, hang around, get them used to seeing your face.

Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :

MC - These headhunters, how do you find them? Is that how they are listed in the Yellowpages and on Google? Or is that just a general term for job reqruitment complanies? I'm looking for a new job too and a good headhunter sounds like exactly what I need.

Edit to add: What I mean is: Do you have any advice on finding good headhunters? I googled and got a bajillian hits, so any help would be appreciated.

[ May 23, 2006, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: vonk ]

Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :

Here in the Atlanta area there's a radio ad for ajcjobs.com (I think) that spoofs monster.com--crashing banging sounds as if there is an actual monster loose in the office, with the boss crying, "It's just unmanageable!" His assistant says drily, "I'm pretty sure it's just a metaphor, sir." To which the boss replies, "Your metaphor just soiled the carpet."

OK, so I thought it was cute. \rerail

Posted by Artemisia Tridentata (Member # 8746) on :

quote:
Most new jobs aren't publicly advertised. I got two really good jobs from those that were, though.

Any Company that does business with the Federal Government is required to post all vacencies. At a minimum they need to post with "Americas Job Bank". In most states the Wagner-Physer agency (often called "Job Service"; in Nevada we call it "Job Connect") can provide the same services as most headhunters. In some states they even do so.

Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :

Yes, but most of those postings are for jobs that are already filled. Just saying. [Smile]

Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :

Create a jobsearch and have it email you about once a week with any new jobs that meet your criteria.

I got my job at Monster. It can work!

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :

Team Graduate Assistantship and Lazing About a Studio in Jeans While Having a Cool Title is really looking like the way to go...

-pH

Posted by Swampjedi (Member # 7374) on :

I forgot about all the sales junk I got via Monster. I was getting to the point where I was saying "I'm sorry, but I didn't get a MS in Computer Science to sell computers or software."