20 Insider Tips to Win the Job Search
Getting a job is hard, especially now. Recession, layoffs, tightening wallets...
I've hired a couple hundred people this past decade. Here are 20 insider tips on how successful candidates get ahead.
1. Solve the employer's problem
Employers don't like to hear "this job is perfect for me." Getting a job is a "here's my value" thing, not a "please hire me" thing.
Instead, say "I'm perfect for this job." Then prove it.
2. Your résumé is a sales pitch, not a work history documentary.
Convince the employer why YOU are the perfect fit for THEIR job. Tailor every previous role and bullet to the job description (JD).
Prove you fit the new role's needs.
3. The job description is *never* accurate.
Most JDs are copypasta from a competitor. It's what the employer *thinks* they need.
Speak to someone in the department and get the real details of the job. Ask questions, be curious, build relationships.
4. Great résumés may not get read, but make yours great anyway.
It's luck of the draw, so make sure yours is:
Readable
Engaging
Clean
Hyperlinked
Short as possible
Have friends/peers review it and keep to ≤2 pages.
5. Everyone is biased, so avoid photos & biographical data.
Unless it's a creative role, stick to normal formats.
Always stick to relevant/critical info for the JD. Sell the hiring manager on the facts right away. (Advice from Allen Plunkett)
6. Hiring managers rarely know how to hire.
If you can find out who's hiring, look them up on LinkedIn. Learn who they are & what they care about.
Go to the interview prepared & know the mgr may be terrible at hiring.
Ask specific questions to stay on point:
"What criteria are you using to hire?"
"Are there ?s or concerns about my experience I can address?"
Get written documentation/testimonials about your work, send before you meet, bring printed copies.
7. Internal recruiters don't understand the roles they're hiring.
Most of them can't know every role at their company. They look for keywords and talking points.
CLEARLY state your years of experience & level of expertise to help them.
8. No one understands what you've done except you.
Generalize and explain project success in your résumé.
Always use metrics!
Bad: "I led our mobile app project"
Good: "Tech lead for $35M mobile app w/200K users." And prove those metrics!
9. Know how to explain what you do.
Use storytelling. Have a beginning, middle, & end.
Make sure there's conflict to overcome.
Highlight how you fought & won.
Don't be esoteric. You're talking to a stranger. Be engaging and relatable.
10. Your competition is lying, or at least stretching the truth.
Don't lie, but puff yourself up.
Tell the biggest, most realistic version of your stories.
Don't lose the job because you were too modest.
Be awesome, be proud, prove it.
11. Job requirements are rarely required.
Think: Letter of the law vs. Spirit of the law
They're looking for a unicorn.
If you don't meet all the requirements, you might still be qualified! Apply anyway.
Even idiots end up in high-paying roles.
12. Always leverage your network!
DO NOT be embarrassed to ask a friend about a job at their company.
They may even be incentivized to refer friends.
Look for connections to the company on LinkedIn.
Ask for intros! It's who you know.
13. Always prepare for an interview.
Especially if you haven't interviewed in a while.
Apply for easy jobs you won't take.
Get practice! Don't bomb because "it's been a while."
Know your strengths & weaknesses. Have answers to the typical questions
14. Recreationally interview
Monogamy is for marriage, not employment.
The best time to look for a job is when you don't need one.
Build up your interview chops and apply at least once a year.
Stay tuned & build your network.
15. Have a good LinkedIn profile!
You may hate the network, but the employer doesn't.
Recruiters & managers WILL look you up. It's one more way to keep their attention without talking to them.
Let them learn more about you!
16. Learn to brag!
Read Peggy Klaus excellent book, "Brag!" & listen to her podcast interviews.
You need stories to tell that are authentic & passionate.
This isn't the time for timidity & modesty. Your "brag bag" is essential
17. Learn your ACTUAL weaknesses!
"Working too hard" is not a weakness.
"I care too much" & other lines are fake.
Come up with a real weakness and show you're working on it. Be a respectable, actual human.
This is part of the sales pitch.
Example: "I am too attentive to detail, so I'm working to shorten my code reviews. I track how long each one takes and figure out how to optimize."
Or: "I get distracted, so I'm using a pomodoro timer to keep me on track."
18. Stop rating your knowledge!
Too many people are a "7/10 in Photoshop." By what measure?!
If you want to prove it objectively, get a certification. Or prove you're an expert by your work.
Your 7/10 is someone else's 4/10.
19. Clean up your public social media accounts.
Tons of people are getting fired or penalized for their personal tweets.
Delete anything public that'd keep you from getting hired.
What's more important to you, the tweet or the role?
20. Remember you are good enough!
The market is tough right now, but there's a job for everyone. Especially in skilled work. There's a huge shortage of people!
Getting a job is skill AND luck.
Bad luck ≠ Lack of skill.
Keep applying, don't give up.
Check out my new book...
These are just SOME of the insider tips in my new book with @ellis_types, Winning the Job Search.
If you dug this article, please share it and help people get hired. If you REALLY dug it, buy the book.
