Not long ago, I wrote a blog post (for another site) about getting past “that’s how it’s always been done” when it came to the job search. It was retweeted more than anything I’d ever written. Clearly, this was a big issue for many people (and the associations they work for), because after all, we’re creatures of habit. 

Continuing to do things the same way isn’t necessarily a problem, because “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The key is reviewing processes regularly, and analyzing if they’re still working for you. If not, it’s time to explore other avenues.

One of the most common places I see this in the job search is when it comes to applying to ads online. As they only result in jobs 10% of the time, it’s the least effective method to finding a job. You should still include it as part of your job search, because obviously, some people do find jobs this way. While it’s counterintuitive, other strategies (including sending your resume to places without an advertised opening) will statistically generate better results for you. 

On the other hand, you may be one of the 10% who have gotten your last few jobs through ads online. In that case, it may not be necessary for you to make major changes – yet. The last few years turned the economy upside down, and what may have worked for you before might not now. If you’ve been applying online for months and aren’t getting any results, don’t double your efforts in the same area. Remember that famous saying: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results.” Try going outside of your comfort zone – you have nothing to lose!