The Black Hole of the Internet.
If you've job searched in the last 15-20 years you know this one. The black hole of the internet. The phrase has become a cliche and a joke.
We all know what is means; you spend the time and make the effort to write or edit a terrific resume and cover letter that is tailored to the job your applying for and your qualifications, log into whatever web site you're applying through and submit both for a job (one you may be incredibly interested in and qualified for, or not at all interested in and qualified for). Then it disappears...
Many times to an automated computerized system where a human being will probably never see it. You may receive a generic computer generated response (instantly, within a few minutes or after a day or two), The sooner that automatic response comes in the more you know your resume is being screened by a computer and not looked at by a person, am I right? Or you may never get any acknowledgment at all.
And if you get a response?
99.9% of the time it will be a form, "thank you for applying, we have received your resume, we will be in touch if your experience meets our current needs, blah, blah, blah."
Then you wait.
Sometimes when I apply to a job knowing it's going through 'the internet black hole' I wonder if it's worth bothering to do it. I'm sure going door to door or job searching by newspaper or phone had it's own problems (time consuming, sore feet, in person rejection, etc) but is this better?
How is endlessly applying for jobs through a portal where most people assume their application is going to 'disappear', never to be seen or considered by a person better? How is this better for anyone applying to that job that may not be 'the perfect candidate'? How is this better for finding qualified candidates to interview for employers?
We call it the 'internet black hole' for a reason.
So, if most people (including some HR professionals from articles I've read on LinkedIn) believe the 'internet black hole', of the current hiring system isn't working, and doesn't make job candidates feel that their application is seen or valued then isn't it time to consider, even demand a new way of applying for jobs.
Most of us don't have the ability to change any part of the application hiring system or process. We are just cogs in the wheel. If you work in HR though, if you are the hiring manager for your department/ company and don't believe the 'internet black hole' which has become a cliche to the applicant pool works for your company in the process of finding qualified candidates then speak up, create a better way for your company because you could help change the process for everyone.
It can be changed to make it better for everyone.
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