We know the job market is a bit tight right now, and many of you might be struggling to land your dream job. Rest assured that you are not alone, but also know that we have clients who are successfully landing interviews and receiving job offers. So, how can you become one of those people?
The most important thing is to focus on what you can control rather than what you cannot control. Here are six specific tips and associated action items to make your job search efforts more effective.
Table of Contents
Tip #1: Do not focus exclusively on online job postings.
Many job openings are never posted online, and often, for the ones that are, the hiring managers already have a list of top candidates in mind before the opportunity is listed publicly. So, you should devote more than 50% of your job search time to networking.
Action Item #1
Create a list of 10–20 target companies (regardless of whether they currently have an opening posted), and then search your connections to find people who work at these firms. Use your first-degree network on LinkedIn to request introductions to people in their network (your second- and third-degree network) who are employed at your companies of interest. They can help you understand these businesses, their hiring needs, and any job requirements.
Tip #2: Leverage your network to gather information.
For years, the media has shared data indicating that the majority of available positions are never publicly advertised and that many openings are filled through professional and personal networks.
Action Item #2
Be specific in your requests for networking conversations, but do not ask anyone outright for a job (though you can refer to specific job openings that have been posted) or the opportunity to “pick their brain.” Customize each request and conversation to the contact’s background and areas of expertise. Learn about their organization and its needs, ask for introductions, and gather information on the best way to navigate the application process.
Tip #3: Customize your application.
Jobscan reports that in 2024, more than 98% of Fortune 500 companies had an applicant tracking system, but a majority of resumes submitted to these systems are rejected. Using the right keywords and simple formatting is a must.
Action Item #3
Analyze the job description to identify specific skills and/or areas of knowledge in the responsibilities section that are especially important for your target role. Use insights from your networking conversations to ensure that you are highlighting relevant qualifications.
Tip #4: Submit high-quality applications and follow up.
Do not make the mistake that many candidates do in submitting numerous job applications each week but never taking any initiative to further demonstrate or affirm your interest.
Action Item #4
Submit your application within 24–48 hours of the job being posted. Then, if you do not hear back on a job application within two weeks, reach out to the hiring manager, the recruiter, or your internal connection. Confirm that the company received your application, reiterate your interest in the role, and ask about the firm’s timeline for hiring.
If you are not selected for the position, see whether you can gather any insights on how to enhance your application for future postings. You could also check LinkedIn to see who was ultimately hired for the role, which could help you identify potential gaps in your experience for your target roles.
Tip #5: Deepen your industry-specific knowledge.
Simply being knowledgeable about an industry is no longer enough; employers expect candidates to have ideas about how to move the business forward. With so many qualified job seekers, the onus is on you to clearly connect the dots for the hiring manager and prove that you can contribute and add value to the firm.
Action Item #5
Read (a lot!) about your target companies and industry. Sign up for e-newsletters from relevant industry publications. Follow your target companies on LinkedIn.
Tip #6: Redirect your search when necessary.
Are you trying to make too big of a pivot in the market? Is the number of jobs in your target role and industry very limited? Are you portraying yourself in a compelling way to your target firm? You might need to make adjustments to your approach based on the answers to these and similar questions.
Action Item #6
Think about whether you need to expand your search or change directions. Evaluate where and how you can shift your focus to gain more traction. If you do not know, consider changing the questions you ask your networking contacts to solicit more information that will help guide you.
We believe these actions—in addition to setting weekly networking goals, tracking every conversation, and revisiting your progress on a monthly basis to identify obstacles and ways to overcome them—will increase your chances of success.
