Cinderella 2010:

Taking a break from hearth cleaning at home, Cinderella scours searchforaprincess.com when she spies the perfect role advertised at Prince Charming Inc. Seems the CEO, Prince Charming, is looking for a Princess to co-manage his kingdom. The successful candidate need have no actual experience in kingdom management, but must possess a demure smile, the ability to triumph over workplace bullying, a magical mentor, professional ballroom dancing skills, and a foot able to slip perfectly into a one-of-a-kind glass slipper.

Quickly, Cinderella completes the details online, clicks the “Submit” button and waits for a call from the palace. A week later still no call. Three weeks later, Cinderella decides that a career in hearth cleaning is clearly in her future. Her hopes dashed, she shrugs and continues scrubbing. Seems whatever Prince Charming was looking for, it wasn’t her.

Many job seekers are like Cinderella 2010. They see the Internet as being a quick and easy solution that will transform their job search dreams to a reality; no fuss, no bother.

Want to apply for a job you like? It’s easy! Just upload your details, hit the submit button and wait for the call!

Want to call a recruiter about the job or the progress of your candidacy but too reticent/nervous/scared to do so? Just shoot off an email!

Want to work for a company but worried that you will meet a gatekeeper who will not let you gain access to the decision makers? An email will take care of that too!

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Internet is that it made getting a job easier. It didn’t. It just provided a swifter transit for communications; communications incidentally that may not even reach or be read by the right person or people; as Cinderella 2010 (clearly the ideal candidate) discovered.

The fact is, human resources is a human contact business and no matter how streamlined the initial process of communication, at some point, the job seeker is going to have to get off his or her chair and be proactive; talk to someone, pitch skills and make contact. Take the risk of being rejected instead of hiding behind an electronic wall.

The amount of effort you invest is directly aligned to the outcome. Prince Charming, seeking to fill the position of Princess will not travel from door-to-door bearing a glass slipper until he finds you. There is a price for taking the easy way out in just about everything in life; the price you pay in the job seeking arena is not standing out, not being seen, and not being recognised as the right candidate for the job.

Adjust your way of thinking beyond the electronic wall. Pick up the telephone and call a recruiter, ask intelligent questions about the job being offered and get known. Raise your profile; talk with friends and former colleagues to uncover the potential for upcoming jobs so you can start making approaches before a position is advertised. Form a friendly relationship with gatekeepers who have the power to get you before decision makers. The way forward is in your hands. Remember, minimum effort yields minimum rewards.

Revised ending: Cinderella 2010. Cinderella 2010 calls the Palace.

“Hello? My name is Cinderella. I forwarded my details to you a few days ago and I may have neglected to mention that I may be the individual you seek. Specifically, I believe my foot may fit a glass slipper that I inadvertently lost following my last dance with Prince Charming at the ball……”