If job searching has felt like a constant fight filled with uncertainty, struggle and complexity, I get it.
I have spoken to hundreds of job seekers these past few months alone, and for many of them, they have been met with challenges that have undoubtedly tested their resilience, adaptability, and patience. It goes without saying that the job market has seen some major shifts, which has only made it more important to set yourself apart.
From the daunting task of sifting through countless job postings, tailoring your applications, improving your networking and interviewing, the process becomes even more challenging when trying to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates, each vying for a chance to showcase their unique value.
Of course, the emotional toll of the job search process cannot be underestimated. Rejection, often a frequent companion in this journey, can lead to self-doubt and waning motivation. It also becomes hard for you to not take it personally if this has been the pattern of your job search efforts thus far.
In fact, when coaching my client who previously faced rejection, we dialed in her efforts to improve both her marketing strategy (target role, resume and LinkedIn profile) and sales strategy (personal branding and self-advocacy fuelled in her interviews) to position her best in securing her next role. The result? An incredible offer for her dream job with a comp package including a $175K base salary plus 20% bonus, fully hybrid role and flexibility on PTO which was really important for her.
I want to help you do the same.
Here's how.
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Key pitfalls that compromise your job search
→ Lacking clarity in your goals: This is where you have not done the deep-dive reflections on what you truly want in your next role and hope things will simply fall into place. This becomes particularly dangerous when you are looking to leave a negative workplace and coming from a place of desperation to make your next move happen fast. That said, without the needed clarity and direction you want to achieve, it becomes impossible to put effective action steps into place that will lead to your desired outcome.
→ Underestimating the power of networking: There are 2 major downfalls here. The first is that job seekers over-index too much on applications alone to secure their next role. They end up sending hundreds of applications without a solid response rate and have neglected the importance of activating their network to help them in this process. The second is that job seekers only network when they need something (i.e. a new job). This creates highly transactional relationships which work against you and limits the willingness of others to help you.
→ Neglecting personal branding: People need to know you exist and the value that you bring. Without a strong personal brand, this will be extremely difficult to achieve as you have an underdeveloped presence both online and offline. Personal branding helps you make a memorable impression on potential employers, hiring managers and recruiters. Whether through LinkedIn, resumes, networking or interviews, personal branding is necessary and yet, most professionals do not give it the time of day it deserves.
→ One-size-fits-all resume: Now, despite online applications only being a portion of your job search process, do not cut corners or try to game the system by using one version of your resume for all of them. Simply tweaking a few words here and there does not cut it. Without effective tailoring of your professional documents alongside your application, this runs the risk of being bypassed and overlooked for opportunities you may be extremely qualified for.
→ Taking yourself out of the race before it has begun: This commonly shows up when you feel you do not meet all the criteria of a given job description, and so you do not apply at all. You remove yourself entirely because you believe you will not stand a chance of moving forward. When in reality, job descriptions are wish-lists that are often over-represented in the needs they are looking for. Meeting 60%+ of the criteria is good enough, especially because you do not know which facets of the job description are weighted most in the employers' decision-making criteria.
5 steps to master your job search
1/ Get clear on what you actually want
To start, introspection is key. Take the time to reflect on your past experiences, both positive and negative. What aspects of previous roles did you enjoy the most? Which tasks or projects sparked your passion and made you feel most fulfilled? What would you want to do differently? What specifically has made you feel demotivated or frustrated? Consider not only the nature of the work but also the environment in which you thrived.
This self-reflection helps in identifying the kind of roles and companies that align with your personal and professional aspirations. It is important to evaluate your skills and strengths in this process as well.
Understanding what you excel at, and more importantly, what you want to develop, is fundamental in setting a career trajectory that is both challenging and rewarding. Getting clear on your path forward also involves understanding the industry landscape and how your unique skills and experiences position you within it.
Identify the gaps in your current skill set and consider additional training or certifications that could make you more competitive.
- Pro tip: Look at profiles on LinkedIn of people in your target role and assess the path that got them there so you can identify patterns. This is often a good sanity check of common denominators between where you are at and where you want to go.
Once you have a solid understanding of your personal preferences and the industry landscape, you can set actionable and achievable career goals. Break these goals down into digestible, daily action steps that you can easily track and monitor in terms of progress.
Do not overestimate how long things will take you as this will lead to disappointment and feeling like you are not making enough progress. Rather, focus on micro-goals that you can easily cross off your to-do list. For example, send 10 outreach messages per day or finalize the optimization of the "about me" section on your LinkedIn profile.
[Check out my newsletter on How to elevate your career clarity]
2/ Leverage your network effectively
Networking is the #1 strategy to land your new job faster. Why? People get people jobs. Period.
70% of your job search efforts should be allocated towards networking.
So the first step is to identify who in your network can be most beneficial in your job hunt.
This group may include former colleagues, supervisors, mentors, alumni from your educational institutions, and even friends who work in your desired industry. Remember, each connection has the potential to provide unique insights, advice, or introduce you to key individuals in your field.
Once you have identified these contacts, reach out to them in a personalized manner. This could be through a professional platform like LinkedIn, an email, or even a phone call if they are a closer connection. Do your research on them and pay attention to the details. They matter. The goal is to reconnect, update them on your professional journey, and express your interest in new opportunities.
You can use a template like this for a personalized connection request on LinkedIn that consistently works for my clients:
- "Hi NAME. I noticed you've been working as a [ROLE TITLE i.e. Product Manager] at [COMPANY] for the last 2 years. That is amazing. Your career path is really impressive and one I admire a lot. As a fellow [ROLE TITLE] myself, I'd love to learn more about your experience at [COMPANY] and what you've been appreciating most being there. Looking forward to connecting more with you."
Be clear about what you are looking for, but also show genuine interest in their work and offer your assistance in return, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
Networking is not just about reaching out to existing contacts. It is also about expanding your network. Attend industry events, conferences, and webinars, both virtual and in-person. These events are not only great learning opportunities but also platforms to meet new people in your field.
The power of networking also lies in the ability to tap into the hidden job market as many positions are filled through referrals or personal recommendations before they are ever advertised publicly.
When I worked at L'Oréal, every referral I put in got hired. As an employee, I knew what it took to succeed and would only recommend people who would be a suitable fit for the company. This goes a long way for internal HR departments in facilitating their recruitment efforts.
Finally, offer value. Networking is a 2-way street. You do not want to only ask for things; others will see through that really quickly and it can backfire on you. Brief, do not ask someone you just met for a new job. This will sour the relationship before it has a chance to blossom.
[Check out my recent LinkedIn live on networking to fast track your dream job]
3/ Build a strong personal brand
In order to secure incredible opportunities, people need to know you exist. On top of that, they need to know what distinguishes you in a way that will be valuable to their organization.
This is where personal branding comes in because it is the representation of your personal and professional profile that encapsulates who you are, what you do and the impact you create. It is a combination of your core values, skills, strengths and unique experiences that define you as a professional.
This takes intentional thought and reflection to build so that you put forward the right career narrative that maximizes your chances of moving into your target role. Ultimately, it is what others will be able to understand and say about you when you are not even there.
- For example, if you have an extensive background in teaching and you want to pivot into marketing, you must go beyond your teaching expertise alone to align with the needs of marketing roles.
By focusing on transversal skills gained in your teaching experience like communication, collaboration, organization, public speaking, breaking down complex messages into concepts that can reach a bigger audience, etc... they now become extremely valuable in how you frame your personal brand towards the marketing field.
Once you have a clear understanding of your brand, ensure that it is consistently represented across all platforms. This includes your resume, LinkedIn profile, personal website, and any other professional networks you engage with.
In addition to having a consistent online presence, actively contribute to your field to strengthen your personal brand. This could involve writing industry-related articles, participating in panel discussions, or even volunteering in professional groups. Such activities not only demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your field but also increase your visibility and credibility.
Finally, seek recommendations and endorsements from colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. These testimonials are powerful in reinforcing your brand and providing a third-party validation of your skills and accomplishments represented on your LinkedIn profile. You can use this template as inspiration:
- "Hi NAME. I know it's been a little while since we last spoke and I wanted to check in. I noticed you've now taken over the role of X at [COMPANY]. How exciting! How has that been going for you so far? I've always appreciated our time working together and felt like you truly recognized and understood my work ethic. On that note, would you be open to writing me a recommendation on LinkedIn? Having your voice represented on my profile would go a long way and I'd be happy to do a recommendation for you in return. Thank you so much in advance."
4/ Customize your application materials
A one-size-fits-all model or the "spray and pray" method simply do not work.
Applying to jobs alone will rarely land your dream job offer. That said, it can still play a role in your job search process so you must ensure it works in your favour.
In this competitive job market, customizing your application is a non-negotiable. It demonstrates to potential employers that you have put thought and effort into understanding the specific role and how your skills and experiences align with it.
Begin by thoroughly reading the job description and identifying key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Then, use this information to customize your resume and cover letter, highlighting the aspects of your background that are most relevant to this specific position.
- For example, if a job emphasizes leadership experience, ensure that your resume prominently features any leadership roles or initiatives you have spearheaded.
Similarly, in your cover letter, address specific points in the job description, explaining how your experiences directly relate to each requirement. The goal of the cover letter is to highlight the 'why' while your resume is the 'what'.
Cover letters require more storytelling, context, personalization and emotion to compliment your fact-based resume. When combined, they are a powerful duo that give the employer the full picture of the value you will bring them.
Moreover, research the company’s culture, values, and recent projects to get a sense of what they might value in a candidate. Infuse some of this knowledge into your application materials to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company and your fit within its culture.
- For example, if the company prides itself on innovation, provide examples of how you have driven innovation in your previous roles. Remember, every piece of your application is an opportunity to illustrate why you are the best fit for the job.
Here are 4 quick tips to keep in mind when tailoring your application materials:
→ Integrate keywords from the job description to reinforce fit. Highlight your most relevant experiences; not every experience you have ever held if it is not in line with the job needs.
→ Showcase your achievements quantifiably and measurably. Do not just focus on what you did but rather the result it created.
→ Address your cover letter appropriately, ideally with the hiring manager's name if you have it. Keep a synergistic formatting with your resume so the documents look cohesive. Pro tip: consider doing a video cover letter about 1-2 minutes long to WOW your dream company and showcase your personality.
→ Content is king. Whatever resume format you choose, ensure that each line drives impact and is necessary. This will help you keep it concise and breathable for the reader.
Remember, recruiters and hiring managers take 6-7 seconds on average to review a resume so leverage these best practices to get their attention.
On top of it, even if you do not meet 100% of the criteria but cover a good majority of it, still take your shot. You do not know which facet of the job description has more weight in the decision making criteria and you do not want to automatically rule yourself out.
5/ Nail the follow-up
So much of a successful job search strategy comes down to effective follow-up and follow-through.
Whether following an application submission, following each stage of an interview, or overall networking connections, you need to remain top of mind.
Following up requires a balance of discretion, proactivity, consistency and respect.
You do not want to bombard someone with too many messages but rather, friendly reminders and follow-ups that are sent 1 or 2 weeks apart. More often than not, recruiters and hiring managers get busy and simply lose track of where they were at in a certain process with candidates, so a gentle reminder goes a long way.
In that same regard, expressing your gratitude is always well appreciated.
After each interview, be sure to send a thank you note within the first 24 hours. There are different schools of thought here but showing appreciation never backfires and serves as a testament to your character.
A thank you note can consist of a thanking the interviewer for their time, highlighting a specific element of the interview that really stood out to you and why, and concluding with your excitement for next steps.
Similarly, if you are waiting on feedback for opportunities, take control and reach out yourself. Do not expect others to do it for you.
Even if an opportunity does not come through right now, this is still a connection that you have gained that can serve you well down the line. Maintaining a positive and professional reputation here is critical.
Finally, do not make each follow-up message the exact same. Bring value to your future follow-ups that make the hiring manager more inclined to respond. For example, you can share a recent article you came across that related to what was discussed in your interview together along with your key takeaways of how you would apply that if hired into the role. Or you can also suggest getting them in touch with people in your network for any other roles they may be hiring for, this way, you are actually making their job easier.
[Check out my newsletter on How to nail your follow-ups]
How will you choose to show up in your job search?
A successful job search is a blend of strategy, persistence, proactivity and self-awareness. At times, it may bring out a roller-coaster of emotions, highs and lows and unexpected turns.That said, do not get discouraged and keep your head in the game. The journey to finding your dream role can be rigorous, but with the right approach, it becomes a valuable opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
You've got this!
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This week's mission is aimed at helping you own your job search strategy with confidence. Whether you are actively looking for a new position or simply want to keep this in the back of your mind for a later time, the below reflections are designed for you to take action in bringing you closer to your dream career.
1/ Get clear on what you want:
- Take time to reflect on your past experiences, both positive and negative.
- What aspects of previous roles did you enjoy the most? Which tasks or projects sparked your passion and made you feel most fulfilled? What would you want to do differently? What specifically has made you feel demotivated or frustrated?
- Use this to create your roadmap of what you want more of and what you want less of for future opportunities. Integrate your core values in here as well.
2/ Refine your personal brand:
- Outline your key strengths, competencies and skills that align with your target roles.
- Go deeper on what you would want others to say about you when you are not there. You can reference back to former performance reviews or feedback received to help you in this to gather the full picture.
- From here, ensure this is well reflected and aligned across your marketing materials like your LinkedIn profile, resumes and cover letters.
3/ Network, network, network:
- Identify who in your existing network and which new connections can support you in getting closer to your target roles.
- Leverage personalization in your outreach and reconnections to maximize response rate and ensure to build mutually beneficial relationships instead of transactional ones.
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