Looking for a job? Here's a quick comparison of doing it yourself (DIY) vs getting help:

Factor	DIY Job Search	Delegated Job Search
Cost	Cheaper upfront	15-18% of first year's salary
Time	30-45 hours per job	20-30 hours per job
Control	You're in charge	Experts handle it
Job Access	Public listings only	Hidden jobs too
Success Rate	5 out of 250 get an interview	Potentially higher

Key points:

• DIY is cheaper but takes more time
• Delegating costs more but saves time and gives access to hidden jobs
• Average job search takes 5 months
• Only 2% of applicants typically get interviewed
• Networking has a 50% success rate vs 2-4% from job boards

Bottom line: Your choice depends on your budget, time, and career goals. DIY works if you have time and a tight budget. Delegating might be smart if you're short on time or aiming high.

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1. Doing It Yourself

Managing your own job search? It's tough, but it can pay off. Here's what you need to know:

Money Required

A DIY job search isn't free. Here's where you might spend:

• Resume and cover letter help
• LinkedIn Premium (if you want it)
• Classes to boost your skills

Pro Tip: Save those receipts! Job search expenses might be tax-deductible.

Time Spent

Job searching is time-consuming. Here's a quick breakdown:

Job Seeker Status	Daily Time
Unemployed	5-8 hours
Employed	1-2 hours
Recent Grads	3-5 hours

Make your time count:

• Set daily goals
• Use a calendar or to-do list
• Focus on quality applications

Success Chances

Let's be real: DIY job searching is tough. The numbers:

• Only 5 out of 250 applicants usually get an interview
• 75% of resumes get rejected by ATS before a human sees them
• 85% of jobs are filled through networking

Want to boost your odds? Try this:

1. Tailor your resume with keywords from the job description
2. Network like crazy on LinkedIn
3. Apply ASAP - top candidates often get hired within 10 days

"Most job seekers do essentially the same things, even when they think they are job searching differently." - Phil, National Recruiter and Career Coach

Phil's right. So, how do you stand out?

• A pro resume can boost your earning potential by 7%
• 54% of employers have rejected candidates based on social media

Here's the kicker: The average job search takes 5 months. If you're replacing a $50K salary, you could lose over $40K in income and benefits. For a $100K salary? That jumps to $80K.

2. Getting Help from Experts

Tired of job hunting alone? Let's talk about getting help from job search experts. It's not free, but it might be worth it.

Money Required

Professional help costs money. Here's what you might pay:

Service	Cost Range	What You Might Get
Career Coaching	$100-$500 per hour	10-25% more money in 1-2 years
Resume Writing	$100-$1000	Better chance with ATS and quick resume reviews
Recruitment Agency	15-18% of first year's salary	Hidden jobs, faster hiring

Want to save cash? Try group coaching ($100-$150 per person) or webinars ($50 per session).

Time Spent

Hiring help can save you time:

Resume writers can get you a polished resume in 3-5 days. Recruiters handle most of the application process. Career coaches usually offer 4-12 month packages with sessions every two weeks or month.

"Good recruiters or headhunters can help businesses find more talent, save time and money, and offer industry expertise. They make hiring easier and can keep things private." - American Staffing Association

Success Chances

No guarantees, but getting help can boost your odds:

Indeed has over 150 million resumes and adds 10 new jobs every second worldwide. LinkedIn lets employers find good candidates even if they haven't applied. Glassdoor gives you the inside scoop on company culture and interviews.

Some services, like scale.jobs, have virtual assistants apply to jobs for you. They make custom resumes and cover letters, so you can focus on networking and getting ready for interviews.

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What Works and What Doesn't

Job searching can be a DIY project or a task you delegate. Both have their pros and cons. Let's break it down:

Aspect	DIY Job Search	Delegated Job Search
Cost	Cheaper upfront	Pricier (15-18% of first year's salary)
Time	30-45 hours per job	20-30 hours per job
Control	You're the boss	You're not the boss
Job Access	Public listings only	Hidden jobs too
Personalization	It's all you	Some customization
Success Rate	5 out of 250 get an interview	Might be higher

DIY Job Search: The Good and The Bad

What's good? It's cheap, it's personal, and you'll learn a ton. You're in charge, so you can tailor each application to show off your best self.

What's not so good? It's a time sink. The average job search takes 5 months. That's a lot of Netflix you're missing out on. Plus, you might not see all the jobs out there. Oh, and those pesky Applicant Tracking Systems? They reject 75% of resumes before a human even sees them.

Delegated Job Search: The Ups and The Downs

The ups? It's a time-saver. You've got pros in your corner, giving you the inside scoop. And they've got access to jobs you can't see.

The downs? It'll cost you. We're talking 15-18% of your first year's salary. Ouch. You're also not in the driver's seat anymore. And sometimes, recruiters might not get you or the company culture you're after.

"Good recruiters or headhunters can help businesses find more talent, save time and money, and offer industry expertise. They make hiring easier and can keep things private." - American Staffing Association

So, which is better? It depends on you. Your wallet, your clock, and what you want. Think about it, then make your move.

Conclusion

DIY and delegated job searches both have their place. Your choice depends on your situation, resources, and goals.

Here's a quick comparison:

Factor	DIY Job Search	Delegated Job Search
Cost	Lower upfront	Higher initial
Time	More consuming	Saves time
Control	Full	Less direct
Job Access	Public listings	Hidden opportunities
Personalization	High	Some

Tight budget and lots of time? DIY might be your best bet. You'll learn skills and keep control. But remember: the average job search takes about 5 months. That's a lot of lost income if you're unemployed.

Short on time or aiming high? Delegating could be smart. Services like scale.jobs can save you time with virtual assistants applying for you. They'll even create custom resumes and cover letters. This frees you up for networking and interview prep.

When deciding, think about:

1. Your finances: Can you afford help?
2. Your schedule: How much time can you spend job hunting?
3. Your industry: Some fields benefit more from recruiter connections.
4. Your career level: Executive jobs often need a targeted approach.
5. Free tools: Use LinkedIn and Glassdoor, no matter what.

There's no perfect solution. You might even mix and match, using some pro services while keeping control of other parts.

Whatever you choose, stay focused and open to opportunities. Your next big career move is out there. You just need the right strategy to find it.

FAQs

What is the success rate of applying for jobs?

Landing a job isn't easy. The numbers paint a pretty tough picture:

• Only 1 in 4 resumes make it past initial screening
• You'll need to send out about 27 applications for 1 interview
• Just 2% of applicants get interviewed
• Companies typically interview 6 people for each job

So, your odds of getting hired from a single application? Pretty slim. But don't worry, there are ways to boost your chances:

Strategy	How it helps
Tailor your resume	Gets you past those pesky ATS systems
Network	50% success rate (way better than the 2-4% from job boards)
Use a pro service	Can make your applications shine

Here's the thing: job hunting takes time. On average, it's about 4 months from start to finish. During that time, most people:

• Tweak their resume 4 times
• Write 4 cover letters
• Send out 7 applications
• Go through 5 interviews

Want to up your game? Mix DIY efforts with some pro help. For example, scale.jobs offers virtual assistants to handle applications. This frees you up to focus on networking and prepping for interviews.

Related posts

• Job Search Automation: A Guide for Busy Professionals
• 7 Ways Virtual Assistants Streamline Your Job Search Process
• Top 8 Job Application Tasks You Can Delegate Today
• Common Job Search Questions: Expert VA Answers