Whats your opinion on Job Hunting nowadays?

[jgyoung]

Prob a boring question, but what does anyone think of how the job search has all gone to online electronic applications as opposed to paper applications where if you were lucky got to turn them in to the manager and make some sort of impression in person? Im only 25 but when i first started the job hunt i was 16 and got my first job because i was able to turn in an app to the manager and make a positive impression.. Job hunts after that were the same way, up until recently when i found that just about everyplace i went to apply at told me to go online and apply.. I feel this has hindered my ability to find employment recently.. 

[dreamyxo]

The last three jobs I've have were found on Craigslist.  I think it's more efficient to send resume's electronically. 

[wuxbustah8]

I've yet to find a job by looking online. The jobs I have found were because I tried my hardest to impress the people in person, and it paid off.

[prillycake]

It gets old quick if you don't have leads. But don't stop because the longer you don't work the more comfortable and lazy you get. Hustle, buy and re sell, just do something!

[Hmarcum1]

replying to the original post:
I think you're right. This does hinder one's ability to hand a piece of paper directly to management, perhaps make eye contact and give a firm handshake and a great first impression, but I think, in general, potential employers just want to see your qualifications, rather than the impression you make. Someone could be very qualified for the job and have hot pink hair, and someone else could be underqualified for the position and given the interview because they were clean-cut and had a "better" appearance. This cuts off the manager going "oh, this is my interview with that "good" boy with the firm handshake" and takes it to "here's my interview with this high school graduate who is currently attending school for.... etc" In other words, perhaps this allows for more truly "equal opportunity" employers.

[syntheticbeauty]

I really don't like that everything is done over the phone or computer. It was so much easier when you could give a first impression when handing in your job application.
When I was 16-18 it was easy for me to wow people with good impressions, I dressed very nice and spoke with confidence.
I tried to leave an impression of being very dependent, respectful and confident that I could do the job.
Now I just have to word things on a paper the best way I possibly can and use words that make my resume pop without seeming exaggerating.
I think this is why people get fired a lot now, because they have impressive skills in wording or they have someone else write their resume.
Then they cannot own up to the words on that paper. I think when seeing a person you can tell when someone is a BSer or kissing a little bum.

[cubarican210]

I agree it sucks applying for jobs online. I'd rather go to the store and hand in the application and look at the manager in the eye and tell him or her I can do the job and of course he or she can read my resume as well. I've been applying to bank teller positions on-line and got some call backs but most of these were phone interviews and they really suck over the phone. I'd rather go into the office and talk to the recruiter face to face. Or one on one not on a conference call of about 10 people needing to be interviewed at the same time. Personally, I think that's the dumbest thing that companies have ever done.

[gesus]

its a crapshoot half of em don't hire because its a tiring process. Espically if you don't get anywhere

[ieatfelt]

I believe electronic methods have made it much easier to get multiple apps in a short amount of time but ... I still think the best way to get hired is to follow up and bug the heck out of em until they either hire ya or say they will pass.

[klkwid]

I'm looking right now, and I am not completely fond of the idea of sending everything electronically, but on the other hand, everyone has the same disadvantage when you apply online-no one meets anyone until an interview anymore.  I went to a few hopsitals last week to try to drop off my resume and make a decent impression, at least in human resources, and a lot of the places wouldn't even take my resume in paper form!  They told me I HAD to apply online only.  So much for going the extra mile to make a good impression

[jbklaren]

I will use the online system for sure and have gotten great response. craigslist is coming up in the market for job hunting also.  a couple of friends have gotten jobs at good offices with good pay that were originally posted on craigslist.  sometimes just faxing or dropping off your resume does the trick as well, but you have a higher risk of useing gas, ink, paper, and time for nothing.

[syntheticbeauty]

I recently applied for a job online, I got a phone interview with a local bank I was really not sure what was going on.
The person on the phone asked some off questions. Like what's your perspective on the color of the sky? She said if I say the sky is pink would you agree with me?
None of the things she asked really had anything to do with my job skills or even my ability to perform the task at hand.
It was all questions about friendship, life and perspectives. I called the bank later to verify if it was a real interview and the person who answered laughed and said Yes.
So I was thrown for a loop on that one. lol

[jusu]

I've been trying to help my 23 yr. old Son find a job. 114 in person apps and 12 on line...still not even a call back for an interview. It rough out there.

[halokitty]

Everywhere I applied i did it online and the job i work at now I applied online