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While in job search, there are at least 4 ways of landing interviews, ranked below from 1-4 stars, 4 being best:
Resume, LinkedIn, your presence on other platforms ⭐⭐
Do a great job with your resume and LinkedIn profile. Make sure there’s some overlap among them all in content and successes, but make each refreshing to read on its own, easy to do with LinkedIn with its endorsements and recommendations sections. Be careful to NOT use AI to write this because employers are saying that so many candidates now sound the same. And that makes them doubt the truth in what you’re writing! Make sure your career story – the themes that flow through your timeline – and your success stories are clear.
Recruiters
⭐⭐
You get a recruiter’s attention when you match a job they have open, and they are looking for candidates. Any other time, they may be courteous and give you a few minutes, or talk with you after they speak at a job search networking group, but given that most are on 100% commission, they are looking for that exact person to present to their company client, for an interview. Then they are all over you helping to strengthen the match.
Approach letter
⭐⭐⭐
Yes, an actual letter sent via US mail to the person who’d be your manager/executive at a target company. Then follow up soon after. When a recent client, Karina, reviewed her job history with me, told me how she did this TWICE after doing a ton of research: “Your company is #1 on my target list, and you need me and here’s why”. There was no open job posting but both times the CEO met with her and either created a role for her or brought her on as a consultant and then hired her into the firm.
Using this method, they will more likely be impressed at your drive and that you have selected THEM over other companies.
Your network: connecting with others
⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Networking" does not mean sending your resume to your network but instead, meeting with people, one on one either in person or via video chat, about the work you both do. This forges a human connection that is woefully lacking in so much of our lives today – one reason why networking is so powerful.
Networking is NOT about asking “Are there any openings for me that are not on your company site?” Most jobs ARE advertised today and talking only “jobs” turns it into a meeting all about you, when you really want to do some sharing – some call it “shop talk” – AND helping them in some way. “Get known so you can get nominated” for that open role, is one of my favorite sayings. Indeed, when people use this method, they get interviews AND they come into those interviews at a higher comfort/trust level in them than if they just send in a resume.
Why aren’t these as effective as networking, which gets 4 stars?
Resume and job search strategy: If you’re someone with 10 or more years in your field, and your main job search activity is having ChatGPT help you decide what online ads to answer, you can land interviews: a few. But you will have a lonnnnng job search. And likely end up with a good job but not a great fit.
Recruiters: As generous as they are, recruiters (aka headhunters) have told me they “place” only 4-10 out of every 100 candidates who are in job search. They add: “Network, network, network instead.”
Approach letter: Very effective if applied properly, but it does not “speak to” anyone but one person. Which is fine if that person has the power to create a role for you, like a few did for Karina. But today, many companies filling a position search by using teams so as to share the responsibility of the final choice. And yes, they’re using AI as another vote at the table.
A final word: Getting interviews is key, for you to have a successful search. Do what works!
So what are your networking plans for this week and next?
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