The proverbial “the more effort you put in, the better your results” certainly apply. We like to add: better your system, better your outcome. Results will vary on level of effort for sure, but having the right system can also improve the results.

Here are 5 tips that can help your search.

1) Know Your Role

This might be blatantly obvious but we’re often surprised the answer we hear to “what is your role today?” or “what role are you looking for?”. Hint: it’s not a job title.

The goal is fully understanding your capabilities in terms the employer can relate to. As you research, find clues. Well written job descriptions have qualities of the role, who it will report to, who it will work with internally and externally.

Can you imagine performing in that role? Does that match your skillset and what you want in your next job?

If you find yourself fixed on titles, then rephrase the question and ask yourself, “what problem do I solve and what’s the benefit to the employer?”.

For example, an accountant might answer “I specialize in financial reporting that is required by the SEC for companies filing to go public or are already.”

Compare job descriptions to the problems you want to solve and the impact you want.

2) Expand Your Network

Connect to the right people that will step you closer in the process. They should fill one or more of these categories:

1. Is it the direct recruiter or hiring manager of that job positing?
2. Is it someone already in the role?
3. Is it someone who can connect you to the recruiter or hiring manager?
4. Is it the company you want to work for?
5. Is it the industry you want to be in?

If you’re open to different opportunities, cast a wide net. Examples: join local business groups, mixers, talent agencies, and if you’re open to freelance, look at marketplaces like Fiverr or UpWork.

Increase you LinkedIn network – recruiters, coworkers, suppliers, 2nd/3rd level connections, etc.

In your InMail, mention a mutual friend, why you’re reaching out, what interests you in the role, and ask if they have time to chat or connect you.

Platforms like LinkedIn are a great source, they’re not the only, so keep trying until you get to the right contact.

Other ideas:

• Join associations or affiliations that are typical for the role you want. You’ll find and share ideas and connect to people who can relate to your role.
• Sourcers and recruiters often ask hiring managers where to find a pool of candidates. These are often trade groups that can be found online. Join them. More importantly be active – post often, sponsor a session topic, or lead a forum discussion. 
• Start a new group. It could show your initiative, drive, community sense, or leadership. You’ll be surprised who might ask to join.
• Research the hiring manager. Recruiters do the same of you. 
• What groups do they belong to? Follow their posts. Who’s their manager or peer? Do the same with the company and industry. Following them can reveal any job fairs or specific recruiters to connect with.
• Connect with talent agencies or recruiting firms. If there’s a job requisition on their site, apply, join a live chat, or email to find out who the recruiter is.

Note: Recruiters are incentivized to fill the job req ASAP. They report weekly pipeline metrics.They are measured each week by the volume of candidates, phone screens, InMails, and the overall pipeline health. You want your name bubbled in that report. Ask where you are in that process. We’ll dive deeper in another post.

Create a list of these contacts, who referred you, method to reach them, and track the touch points that ultimately get you in front of the hiring manager. You’ll want to thank them later when you land the job! 

3) Have a Digital Presence

To find is also to be found. We call it a digital footprint. It goes without saying too much, that the easiest and best way for recruiters to find you is online. Having a digital presence not only increases your odds, but it allows the recruiter or hiring manager to see into your career and your interests.

Examples:

• Let friends, ex-coworkers, old bosses, vendors or suppliers know what opportunities you’re open to. They may refer you. Provide them your LinkedIn profile URL.
• Have a digital business card with a QR code that is linked to your profile or website.
• Your profile should be concise and summarizes your expertise, your career interests, and direction you’re headed professionally. Keep your profile current with posts, likes, and experiences.
• Join Meetups and mixers in person or virtually. This will get you on mailing lists. This is another recruiting tactic.
• Meet recruiters online, again be visibly active in those groups. Reply to forums, share your knowledge, etc.
• Create profiles in Indeed, Ziprecruiter, Glassdoor, and other sites post jobs. If you’re in IT, add Hired as well. Keep these profiles current.
• Build a website. Try Wix Weebly, Squarespace or GoDaddy. Use your name or have a creative domain name. Add a portfolio and blog. Eventually Google Search will index your site so use lots of tags.
• Use Medium and share stories or topics that represent your talent. Link it to all your profiles.
• Be mindful in social media postings, especially if you’re still employed. Build your brand and find your niche.
• Post your knowledge, celebrate work victories (sales, projects, achievements), or even a casual selfie at a conference is a great footprint.
• Note: Recruiters pay for special LinkedIn access to filter and search for roles, titles, hashtags, group names, company employees, and just about anything in your profile and posts. They look for trends and thought leaders.
• Fill as much detail and keywords in every section of your profiles.

4) Notice Patterns and New Trends

As you search, find job descriptions or posts about people in that profession.

Pay close attention to patterns in key words, abbreviations, and language. These could indicate what’s trending, qualifications and backgrounds required, or job specific values.

These are important, especially if you are changing roles or haven’t been in the job market for a few years. Compare those skills to your own. Do you need to up skill? Do you need to highlight those skills and experiences in your resume? Can you describe those skills in your cover letter.

Most companies use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) that parses for certain keywords or phrases. More advanced ATS have a library or index of keywords by job function, family, or role. Become familiar with keywords and know which are applicable to your skills to get a good score in the ATS.

Also, there are websites that offer an ATS screen check. In practice these sound good and can be useful.

Use one that has great reviews and have strict data and privacy policies. If you’re comfortable uploading your resume, you’ll get a report of how you resume scores, where to improve, and a prediction of ATS filter rates.

In your associations or social groups, read posts from those recently hired or from a hiring manager looking for certain skills in most demand. Also look for hints to the workplace culture, shift to virtual or hybrid work, and hiring practices. Do these match your preference? Or they the new norm for your field? How does that effect your search and your desire for that role?

5) Be Resilient

Also insert be persistent and assertive.

Reaching out for referrals can be difficult and time consuming. Keep in mind, as a society, we want to help other people. And when it comes to careers or jobs, most everyone has been through similar situations.The analogy here is sometimes in reaching your destination, it takes navigating curves and tough terrain.

If you’re having difficulty getting access to the right people or struggling making a connection, don’t get down. This is a numbers game. Keep a log of your touch points – where/how did you find the job, what’s your request for interview rate, ask for feedback, where are you in the process. From that, review what’s working or where you can focus more attention.

Think of creative approaches and continue to expand your network. The more right people you reach, the closer you get to the ideal job you seek. Keep trying. All it takes is one person.

Remember, the better your system, the better your outcome.

Hopefully these make sense and good luck in your search!

To find out how we can help, click the “Schedule” button for a free introductory call. Or reach us through our Contact page.

Thanks for reading!