What Happened to Your Parachute?

By: Daniel H. PinkWed Dec 19, 2007 at 12:05 AM

Thirty years ago, hardly anyone understood the question, "What color is your parachute?" Today, it's the job hunter's mantra. Richard Bolles reckons with what has changed in the world of careers -- and, perhaps more important, what hasn't.

4. In a group with other job hunters, implement method #3 (above). That method has an 84% success rate.

5. Do thorough homework on yourself. Know your best skills, in order of priority. Know the fields in which you want to use those skills. Talk to people who have those kinds of jobs. Find out whether they're happy, and how they found their jobs. Then choose the places where you want to work, rather than just those places that have advertised job openings. Thoroughly research these organizations before approaching them. Seek out the person who actually has the power to hire you for the job that you want. Demonstrate to that person how you can help the company with its problems. Cut no corners; take no shortcuts. That method has an 86% success rate.

The Five Worst Ways to Find a Job

1. Randomly mail out résumés to employers. That method has a 7% success rate. (One study revealed that there is one job offer for every 1,470 résumés floating around out there. Another study puts the figure even higher -- one job offer for every 1,700 résumés.)

2. Answer ads in professional or trade journals appropriate to your field. That method also has only a 7% success rate.

3. Answer ads in newspapers in other parts of the state or country. That method has a 10% success rate.

4. Answer ads in local newspapers. That method has a 5% to 24% success rate. (The higher the salary, the smaller the chance of finding a job using that method.)

5. Go to private employment agencies for help. This method also has a 5% to 24% success rate, again, depending on the salary you want. (In a recent study, 27.8% of female job hunters found jobs within two months by going to private employment agencies.)