The job seekers with whom I work and network who have the most excruciating job searches have this in common: they focus their search efforts on very large, well-branded companies.
The bigger the company, the lower your chances of snagging an interview. Because they attract so much candidate attention, these large employers are forced to create systems and obstacles to protect them from a barrage of thousands of new applicants daily.
There are 33.2 million small businesses in the US, which account for 99.9 percent of all US businesses (SBA, 2022). The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as a firm that has fewer than 500 employees. And these small businesses employ 46% of the private sector workforce.
Generally speaking, it is easier to network into a smaller company than it is a very large organization. My recommendation for a well-balanced opportunity pipeline is to include a diversity of potential employers on your target list – large companies, small businesses, privately held businesses, and even local, state, or federal employers. And consider starting your own business or side hustle as well.