How To Get Hired: 10 Steps to Simplify the Job Search
The reality is that companies are always hiring even if there is some seasonality to it. The best ways to stay on top of the job hunt are to be organized, timely, and proactive. If you can afford it, work with a coach specializing in resumes, interview prep, and career growth. The work you do with them will pay for itself many times over when you land the right opportunity because of your stellar resume and interviewing skills that really make you stand out. Additionally, I would suggest:
1. Write out your IDEAL job description – get specific about what you are looking for when it comes to what the role entails, how you would like to spend your days, what will make you feel engaged and productive, what type of environment you want to be in, who you want to work with, the potential for career growth, the commute you are willing to bear, your target compensation and how you would like it to be structured (base salary, bonus, stock/equity, etc.) and more. While you may not find a position that has EVERYTHING you want, it’s at least a place to start to find out what is important to you. After you write this out, tick off what are must-haves. It’s really hard to find something when you don’t know what you’re looking for.
2. Create a target list of companies that you are interested in. I would suggest the list have ~50 companies (depending on the industry), ranked in order of interest. This list should be dynamic, so continue to work on it and refer to it as you go through the following steps.
3. Update your resume to be as clear, punchy, and results-oriented as possible keeping in mind your desired role and your target companies. Make sure you reflect alignment between your past experience and what you want to do going forward. You may feel your resume is done, but unless you’ve had it professionally worked on, I will guess it’s not.
4. Create a Google/LinkedIn/other social media alert for your target companies so you can stay informed about what is going on with them. Keep track of what your target companies are posting and who is making these posts. This is tremendous insight into what their priorities are right now. Having this information is critical!
5. Use LinkedIn and other digital sources to your full advantage. Look up the companies, look up who works there and in what roles, look for open job postings, etc. Also use advanced search technology to find jobs that you may not have thought to look for using the target key words associated with your desired role and refine/expand your searches based on that. If you don’t know these terms, learn them! Get creative as you think about how your skills and previous experience can translate to what you want to do and what keywords would match those roles.
6. Utilize your network wisely to see who you know that may be able to help you make an introduction at one of your target companies. Be thoughtful about who you reach out to and how, and make sure to always be tactful and provide an easy out. Connect with your mentors, work advocates, and anyone else who you know is supportive of your next steps to see if they know of anything/can make a referral/will keep you in mind when future things come up. Even when speaking with people you know well, you HAVE to be specific about what you are looking for. Many people feel that being general and open to all opportunities will help them, but it actually does the opposite. People can’t help if they don’t know exactly how to. Do the work of the previous steps and make it easy for them to help you. If you are approaching people you don’t know well explain to them why you’re reaching out and why to them (and it better be a better reason beyond you work where I want to). Cold emailing an alum from your undergrad who works at your dream company may or may not be a good idea depending on where you went to school, the strength of your alumni network, and what you have in common with that person.
7. Get as many “informational interviews” as you can without wasting people’s time. Don’t worry about if there is a specific role available or not. In fact, my past two jobs were not originally open posted roles when I initiated dialogue with the organizations. But do be clear about what you are looking for. Even if it is not an official interview, it is your chance to make a first impression. That means being prepared and professional. If it is in-person or over video, dress appropriately for the industry you are interviewing in, be prepared with your “tell me about yourself”, and have meaningful questions to ask. If you aren’t sure if the conversation is meant to be an informational interview or an official interview, treat it as an official interview – better to err on the side of caution than too casual. Making a connection at the company and having the chance to get a better understanding of the culture is invaluable in identifying if there is a potential fit. These conversations can also offer insight into how the organization is thinking about hiring in these uncertain times and anything else that is relevant to your industry and desired role. Even more importantly, having these conversations allows you to refine your “pitch” on what you are looking for. So start with the companies at the bottom of your target list. You don’t want your first conversation where you are stumbling over what you’re looking for to be with your dream company. Preparing and sorting through these interactions are another time where you would really benefit by working with a coach.
8. Listen to what you’re being told and act accordingly. If HR tells you to follow up in a month, put it on your calendar and do that. You’d be surprised how many people lose out on opportunities because they aren’t proactive. At the same time, don’t be a pest. Again, nuance and thoughtfulness come into play when you think about how to stay in touch with your target companies during a time they aren’t actively hiring.
9. Identify any skill gaps you might have for your target role/industry and take advantage of slow job-hunting periods to skill build. You can find great online courses through LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Masterclass, and more. And many of those are now being offered for free! So see what’s out there and sign up to learn something new and/or brush up.
10. And most importantly, don’t lose sight of what you want and don’t give up hope! Take a deep breath and release the tension you are carrying with you. If you’re feeling down, take some time to do something you enjoy that brings you positivity and joy. Spend time on other goals that you have for yourself to make you feel productive and healthy. It is important to be clear-headed during a process that is an emotional roller coaster. Staying motivated and confident is another wonderful reason to work with a coach. If you are dedicated, thoughtful, and respectful of your job search and the people you engage with, your time will come.
11. Rinse and repeat. You got this.
I wish you all the best and would love to hear your job success stories!