How To Find a Job

Finding a job can be hard.

Here's how you can make it easier.

Start with your resume.

I had a manager that made me document everything I did each week.

Other direct reports couldn’t stand the micromanagement.

I came to see it as a favor and I’ve been doing it ever since.

I have an ongoing record of activities and accomplishments that can be cataloged as reference points for interview stories.

My resume is easier to update.

If you haven’t tracked your work, start by creating that history.

Find five job descriptions for what you’re applying for.

Write bullets that show how you’ve done those things.

Manage your applications.

Keep a tracker for every place you’ve applied including the job description.

Apply to a range of jobs.

Over- and under-qualified.

Ideal company profile and less ideal.

You want to know where you stand in the market.

You need quick wins and practice interviews.

Accept every recruiter call request.

It will help you rehearse your story.

Maybe they know someone or have other open reqs.

Use the same resume at most places.

One size will pretty close to fit all.

Tailor only if you know more about what the company is looking for.

Maybe you’ve done extensive research for a handful of target companies.

Maybe you know someone who works there.

If you have extra info to stand out, tailor your resume.

Rehearse your story.

Google all the common behavioral questions and write out responses.

Apply the context-action-resolution framework.

Rehearse in front of a mirror.

Record yourself and watch how you respond.

Repeat until your responses aren’t cringe.

Take every opportunity to talk about your accomplishments.

Write short (30 second) and long (2 minute) versions so you can adapt.

When you get an interview, write examples of how you have done every bullet point in the job description.

I once had a third round interview for a dream job that went bullet by bullet.

I thought I could wing it.

I was wrong.

Network.

Talk to a lot of people.

Treat each conversation like an interview.

Practice telling your story until it is natural.

Be memorable.

I don’t remember most people I’ve interviewed but I remember Ysobel.

She stood out because she made it very conversational.

She stood out because her answers were to the point, accurate, and showed a deep understanding of the channel dynamics.

Being memorable opens up other opportunities.

The first round interviewer in that job I didn’t get recommended me for another opening.

Former colleagues reached out for help that led to new job openings written for me.

The more you network, the more qualified leads you generate, improving your application mix.

Build an interview strategy.

You have to be passable to everyone in the panel but you have to stand out to at least one person.

Figure out each interviewer’s perspective and speak in their language.

Interviewers talk to each other in well-organized processes.

If you passed an early round, assume you won’t be asked those questions and rehearse what you weren’t asked.

Rehearse what you’re afraid they’ll ask.

At some point, you will have to show you can do the job and that you’d be happy doing it.

Consider what experiences add up to that and ration your stories across interviewers.

If the panel all hear the same 3 stories, you will seem inexperienced.

If the panel can’t stop talking about you because they each heard different stories that reinforce the same winning themes, you will own the mental real estate of the consensus meeting.

You will get the clear yes.

Debrief your interviews.

After each interview, consider what you did well and not so well.

Where were the points in the conversation that seemed natural?

What were the friction points?

Dissect your responses to understand why.

What was your interviewer looking for?

How did you meet or fail to meet those expectations?

Write a thank you email.

Sometimes you can save a round by addressing a minor concern that put you on the fence in a thank you email.

Focus on what you learned, how you fit, and why you’re excited about the opportunity.

Don’t make it an essay.

Feed the algos.

Just like google makes money from advertisers, LinkedIn makes money from recruiters and advertisers.

What makes you valuable is likelihood of engaging with a recruiter, getting an offer, and accepting an offer times offer value (typical headhunter fees are a % of salary).

The more valuable you are, the higher your search rank will be to recruiters.

Value equates to visibility and share of voice.

Share of voice equates to chances of getting hired.

To feed the algo, give it positive signals that you’re actively looking and would accept a job offer.

Reply to all recruiter DMs.

Accept all recruiter call requests.

Follow your target companies.

Follow recruiters that post job openings.

Like, comment and repost recruiter content.

Write posts sharing knowledge in your domain.

The more active you are, the more you feed the algos.

Create a routine.

Outside of interviewing, you need to do a few consistent things each week.

Search and apply for jobs for 15-30 minutes daily.

New postings happen all the time.

If you aren’t one of the first 100-300, your resume may never be seen.

Staying timely increases your odds of being seen.

Reconnect with 1-2 people for 30-60 minutes weekly.

DM 5-10 people in your network each week.

See what they’ve been up to.

See if they have 15 minutes for a catch up call.

This gives you practice telling your story.

This opens doors to opportunities they see.

This gives you the inside scoop on whether you want to work where they are.

This makes it more likely they will refer you if you search their job boards for openings.

Write responses to interview questions and stories showcasing your experience and rehearse them for 30-60 minutes per week.

You’ll come across more conversationally in interviews.

You’ll make a better impression and increase your conversion rate.

Calendar these three things.

Job search.

Reconnect.

Practice.

Keep the routine even if you’re close to an offer.

You never know when your opportunity pipeline will pay off until you’re happy where you land.

If this helped you, feel free to share and help your network!

#layoffs #recruiting #jobsearch #jobadvice #careeradvice #interviewprep #interviewing #recruitingstrategy