Job Seekers: Land your Next Role

They say looking for a job is a full-time job. So how can you ensure you’re optimizing your time and getting to the finish line?  While many points may seem like no brainers, putting all of these ideas in motion will strongly increase your chances of landing your next role.  

1 . Leverage LinkedIn to the Fullest

LinkedIn is undoubtedly the largest platform recruiters use to search for talent these days. Make sure your profile is as complete as possible.

·      Update your settings and photo to “Open to Work”.  

·      Create consistency with the content on your profile and your resume, including dates of employment, position titles and email addresses. Make it a clear and compelling message. Most importantly, treat these pages as living and breathing documents. Update them regularly to include exposure and experience with new technologies, education, certifications, and evolving interests (consider updating Settings to prevent all profile tweaks from posting to your newsfeed).

·      Try writing an article on a topic you’re well versed in or sharing a video on LinkedIn’s new Story feature, highlighting your skills, ideal position and location preferences. Find new ways to gain exposure.

2. Create a Compelling and Blatantly Aligned Resume  

·      With many companies utilizing large applicant tracking systems (ATS) where artificial intelligence algorithms scan resumes for keywords and phrases in the job description, it is now more important than ever to take an extra 10 minutes to update your resume prior to applying. Make sure your resume is seen by human eyes and passes the initial system screen.

·      Beyond employment and education, this document is a sales pitch. Which accomplishments and data driven results can you bring to your next company?

·      Remove special formatting that will not import properly into a corporate ATS database.

·      Ensure the font is easy to read and remove “I” statements.

·      Use bullet points and action verbs to list your experience rather than paragraph format that can overwhelm the reader’s eyes.

·      Don’t forget spelling and grammar checks! Remove those red lines.

·      Provide a short description for employment gaps and/or be prepared to discuss the topic.

3. Network

·      Prior to applying to a bottomless pit of the applicants, research the company and its employees to find people who work there in similar roles or in Talent Acquisition/HR positions.

·      Share your resume in a direct message with someone you’ve identified and ask for guidance as to whom would be the best person to contact.

·      Request informational interviews and any tips for success in standing apart from the rest based on insight into the culture, current opportunities or potential challenges within the company where your expertise could provide relief and real value.

·      Candidates internally referred or provided a warm introduction to hiring managers are frequently considered more favorably.  

4. Interview with Confidence

·      Video interviews are here to stay. Make sure you’ve set the stage for a successful meeting.

·      Ensure your backdrop is professional, you’ve eliminated distractions and are dressed appropriately for the role and company culture.

·      Check the strength of your internet connection, the specific web conferencing platform, and that the associated audio/video works well on your computer. Enlist a friend or family member for a practice run.  

·      Do your homework on the company, interviewers, and the position.

·      Be prepared with your own questions, whether it be on current technology stack, upcoming projects or growth opportunities, show you are prepared.

·      Confirm you can truly speak to everything on your resume. Articulate your experience concisely with energy. A good rule of thumb is to keep responses under 3 minutes. Allow for a nice volley of conversation instead of a lengthy monologue.

·      In sales and recruiting, the age old phrase is “Smile and Dial” but there’s real weight to this idea. Try smiling while you speak in an interview, it softens the delivery and magically brings passion and happiness to what you’re sharing.  

5. Send a Thank You

·      Within 24 hours of an interview, prepare a personalized Thank You email to each interviewer. Acknowledge highlights of the conversation and how your experience would be an immediate asset to the team.

·      If you’re a final contender for the position, that additional effort of saying thank you may just put you above your competition.

6. Set Realistic Salary Expectations

·      If transitioning to a new type of position or location, research salary ranges on Indeed.com or Glassdoor.com. Be flexible within reason, know your value and where you can afford to bend. It’d be a shame to miss out on an opportunity that checks all of your other boxes over $5-10K per year.

7. Stay Positive and Keep Learning

·      Job seeking can be frustrating and down-right exhausting. Try to keep your spirits high and refrain from using social media as a place to rant about negative experiences.

·      It’s important to be vulnerable and human. Remain steadfast in your pursuit, persevere and maintain an optimistic outlook. Your mindset is powerful.

Pay it Forward

·      During this uniquely trying time, look for ways you can help someone in their journey.

·      Share a resume with another colleague, connect a job seeker to someone with similar skills in your network, post an announcement on your newsfeed vouching for someone’s experience, or provide a recommendation… there are numerous ways to make an impact that could ultimately change someone’s life.  

·      How will you pay it forward today?