Use these 3 strategies (and a bonus 4th) to accelerate your job search
What comes to mind when you think of job searching?
If you immediately picture scrolling through LinkedIn job posts late at night, meticulously tweaking your resume, and crossing your fingers as you send your application into the digital abyss, you're not alone.
It's the default strategy for many job seekers. And yes, it's a part of the puzzle.
But if that’s where you’re spending most of your time, you're missing out on opportunities to accelerate your job search.
Instead, think of it this way: you know that pie chart that tells you to save your money in stocks, bonds, and cash to have a well-balanced mix? The same holds true for your job search.
You need to spend time on three key strategies (and a bonus fourth if you’re up for it) to maximize your chances:
Network and conduct informational interviews
Attract and engage with recruiters
Apply to job postings
Build your personal brand (bonus)
How much time you spend on each strategy depends on your unique circumstances. Let’s break it down.
The three critical aspects of your job search (and an extra one for more oomph)
Leverage and expand your network
You should spend at least 60% of your time networking (or more if you have certain circumstances I’ll cover below).
If the words “networking” make you seize up, then think about it as talking to people. Talk to current and former colleagues who know and like you. Meet new people in the roles you aspire to or at companies that interest you. Chat with people in your daily life. One of my clients recently found out about a role while chatting with her neighbor.
Networking is an investment that actually pays you back in time and energy. It helps you narrow your focus faster and learn when job opportunities are available. Plus, the relationships you build are investments that can continue to pay off years down the road.
I’ve become such a convert on the power of networking that I put together a free guide on how you can use networking at every single stage of your job search to accelerate your progress.
Get found by recruiters
For as much effort as you’re putting in to find a job, invest a little upfront time to make it easy for recruiters to find you.
The easiest way to do this is to ensure you’ve got a solid LinkedIn profile that follows best practices. Recruiters rely on LinkedIn searches to find candidates and assess your profile to determine if you’re likely to respond. Ensure your profile has the right keywords, highlights your accomplishments, and includes relevant skills. Then, take your efforts up a notch by turning on the LinkedIn features that only recruiters can see.
And just like with networking, the more you think about interacting with recruiters as relationship building versus a transactional relationship, the greater the payoff. Several clients have been reconsidered for a different position because they nurtured a professional and constructive relationship with a recruiter.
Search and apply for jobs
This strategy can take up a lot of time with little to show for your efforts. There’s nothing that derails your motivation and confidence faster than applying and hearing crickets – or getting an immediate rejection 12 minutes after you apply.
Invest more time in making sure your assets are excellent. In this competitive market, your resume has to be a sales and marketing document that sets you apart. Research best practices, follow resume writers, and study examples of great resumes. Ask others to give you feedback to strengthen yours.
Ensure that your cover letter doesn’t regurgitate your resume – instead, use it to show who you are and explain your “why.” And, for the roles that truly excite you, think about what you can do to stand out.
Get noticed by building your personal brand
Here you’re demonstrating your knowledge and passion about your particular industry or role. It’s optional, but adds rocket fuel to each of the previous strategies.
By raising your visibility (offline, online, or both), you build your reputation as an expert. You can build your personal brand even if you’re not yet an expert in your field but are making a career pivot. From going to industry events, engaging in other experts’ content, or sharing your perspective, you start to be seen. And being seen is a big part of the job search process.
How should I spend my time across job search strategies?
How you allocate your time and energy across each area depends on your current situation.
If you’re pivoting your career…
Invest even more time networking. You’ll need to build new connections with people doing the type of work you want to do to better understand the pathways in, get advice and tips for standing out, learn the lingo to sound like an insider, and build advocates that will take a chance on you.
I have a client that’s pivoting from market research into UX design. She leveraged her new connections to find a UX mentorship program and got advice on how her market research skills could transfer to certain UX roles.
This is also where building your brand in your chosen area can give you a leg up. It can make it seem that you’ve been in the role or industry for longer than you have and demonstrate your enthusiasm.
If you’ve going after a senior-level position…
Ensure you’ve maximized your chances to be found by recruiters and spend time networking. You need proven results to land an executive role, so the best people to advocate for you are the people that know your track record. A sales exec client of mine reached out to colleagues she used to work with and within weeks was in an interview process because he alerted her to the opportunity.
Also, build relationships with recruiters far in advance so you have time to nurture the relationship. Several executives I know have recruiters that have followed their career for years, ensuring that each time they’re ready to make a change, they have those recruiters as their advocates.
If you’re targeting a similar role and industry…
You’re likely going to get traction via job applications and recruiters – as long as your materials are well done. Get the job board alerts set up and your resume and LinkedIn profile optimized.
Use your expertise to raise your profile and grow your brand, making you more sought after. And do informational interviews with people working at your target companies to get an edge during the interview process.
If you’re targeting a unique or rare role…
You’re going to have to rely on networking and recruiters to be well placed. I have a client that’s looking to lead a think tank or institute. Those roles are far less common. And, by the time those roles are advertised, there are likely a few people in consideration. We’ve talked about creating an intentional strategy of leveraging her brand and track record to ensure her network is aware of her aspirations and can help her create the type of role she wants.
Any career change takes time. Think strategically about how best to use your energy and what will give you the biggest payoff. Your job search is an investment in your future, so make every activity count.
Lastly, if you were paying attention, you noticed how networking applied to each scenario. That’s because it works.
If you need help, I’ve got you. Get your free guide on how you can use networking and informational interviews for each step of your job search process.