Using Crowd-Sourcing For Your Job Hunt

Let’s begin with a definition. That way, I know that you know, and we all know. From Wikipedia:

“Crowdsourcing is a distributed problem-solving and production model. Problems are broadcast to an unknown group of solvers in the form of an open call for solutions. Users—also known as the crowd—typically form into online communities, and the crowd submits solutions. The crowd also sorts through the solutions, finding the best ones. These best solutions are then owned by the entity that broadcast the problem in the first place—the crowdsourcer—and the winning individuals in the crowd are sometimes rewarded.” … “Crowdsourcing may produce solutions from amateurs or volunteers working in their spare time, or from experts or small businesses which were unknown to the initiating organization.”

How do you use crowdsourcing to get a job? You use it by letting everyone know that you need a job lead or information about companies that are hiring. Any and all suggestions will be welcomed. Then you personally track down each and every suggestion to see if it does lead to an interview. You use the name of the person who gave you the information when contacting the company.

Your neighbor, Sheldon, said his company was hiring. You asked whom you should talk to at his company. You call that person and say that Sheldon told you to call about the recent job openings. Here are some questions to ask:

• “What openings do you have right now?”
• “Do you have any openings in ______ (your area of expertise)?”
• “When do you expect openings in ______ (your area of expertise)?”
• “Who would you recommend I talk you at your company about ______ (your area of expertise)?”

Résumé Crowdsourcing

Another way to use crowdsourcing is to ask everyone to read your résumé and cover letter. Don’t just people whose opinion you trust. Ask everyone, amateurs, professionals and your teenager. All will have an idea or two. Accept all the information provided. Especially pay attention to the ones that say they don’t understand why you put some information in or left some information out. If they have to ask clarifying questions to understand your résumé, you need to do some résumé work so that it is clear what you want to say.

If someone asks you, “so what?” about something on your résumé, it is not clear what point you are trying to make. That is your opportunity to rewrite your résumé so that it more clearly communicates your accomplishments, skills, experience and knowledge.

The More the Merrier

Crowdsourcing is a technique for anyone to suggest a solution, in the belief that more ideas are more likely to produce a workable idea. The more people you talk to and solicit suggestions from, the more actual workable solutions you will receive.

I had a three-year period of unemployment. The person that helped me the most to create a clear résumé was a person without a fancy college degree. In fact, he was developmentally challenged. He kept asking me “Why?” until I thought I’d go crazy. When I told him that he was making me crazy, Randy said, “Well, if you wrote it more clearly I wouldn’t have to keep asking you what you mean.” Doh!

Let the crowd help you. You may be too smart for your own good. Humble pie tastes so good, NOT!

Caveat Emptor

Be aware that not everyone will produce workable suggestions or be helpful. Some you will know are wrong as soon as you hear them. Crowdsourcing is a quantity game. The more suggestions you get, the more usable ones you will receive. So ask EVERYONE.

A crowdsourcing business called InnoCentive has found solutions to a third of its posted problems. It lists problems online and offers monetary rewards for solutions. Interestingly, a large percentage of solutions come from people, usually scientists, who work in fields outside or on the fringe of the problem field. Like Randy, sometimes people who know a little less, will provide your best help.

In response to receiving many “innovative” ideas from the public, California Department of Fish and Game spokesperson, Alexia Retallack, said, “We get calls whenever there's a spill. We're not going to turn away an idea just because it's new.”

“You never know where that spark of genius is going to come from,” Retallack said. After Randy could understand my résumé, on the next job I had applied for, I got the interview. Clear is always good.

This Week’s Coaching

1. Ask everyone, and I mean everyone, for job leads and companies that are hiring.
2. Follow up on all those leads and submit resumes and cover letters.
3. Ask everyone (EVERYONE) to critique your résumé and cover letter. Incorporate those that make sense for your situation.
4. For bonus points: Incorporate some changes to your résumé that you aren’t a 100% sure about. Ask for another review. Well… ?

Let me know via the comments section below or by sending me an email if this approach helps you. I’d love to know.

A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream.

All things are possible,

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund

Executive and Life Coaching

Telephone: 916 • 803•1494

E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com