When you are in the job market, the first step to finding a job is getting an interview.
As a hiring manager and someone who has been involved in the hiring process of several companies (small and large) for more than 20 years, I have developed a few key recommendations for landing an interview that I often share with candidates. Getting in front of someone so that you can let them know just how awesome you are can be tricky, so here are my key tips to help you through the interview process:
Don't take rejection personally.
Understand and accept that the hiring process, for the most part, can be a faceless machine. Many hiring managers receive hundreds of applications when a position opens up, and there are a lot of reasons why you never hear from anyone or get the job. For example, the hiring manager might have already had someone else in mind. They might have hired internally versus externally, the job search could have been canceled, someone better might have exceeded the requirements, etc. It's important to let any rejections roll off your back so you can move on to new opportunities.
Remember: Getting a job is a job.
Treat your job search like a fulltime job. Wake up early in the morning, make your coffee, put on business-casual clothes, and get to work researching potential roles. I believe that if you roll out of bed just in time to eat cereal for lunch and simply throw a few random resumes at job openings will not set you up for success.
Develop a routine every single day, including weekends. Get up and start your day like you are going to the office. Get comfortable wearing the clothes you expect to be working in. Have a written schedule that you follow every day that includes searching for new openings, tailoring your resume and applying. Dedicate a part of your day to researching companies and building a network.
Tailor your resume.
I have observed many people who simply send in their standard resume to every job. They might have spent hours (and maybe some money) making it “just perfect.” However, it is critical to tailor your resume to every single job to which you're applying. Do not get too gimmicky about your resume. Sure, a special design might look pleasing, but readability is key. Make your resume easy to follow and address the specifics of your experience quickly and simply -- you are fighting to be seen among hundreds of others.
Build your network.
Research the companies that you are interested in working for. Review the jobs they offer, and glean the details, such as position titles, the hierarchical structure, salaries, mission and vision statements, ratings, etc. Develop a file dedicated to each company full of the information you've researched.
For each company, find people to connect with, such as through LinkedIn or face-to-face networking. Get to know each person, and take an interest in their life and career. Meet them for coffee. Ask if you can get a tour of their company. Share, in drips, about you and your experience. Build a relationship with these people; they need to become your allies and possibly your advocates. They might just become long-lasting friends and mentors. They might also be a big help in landing an interview.
Apply.
Look for new position openings every day. If you want to work for specific companies, check their sites daily for new jobs. In my experience, if you only rely on cross-posting sites, such as LinkedIn, Indeed, etc., you might miss an opportunity or be too late if you don't go straight to the source.
Listings on job boards can be helpful, however, if you aren't looking for one specific company. Some positions are only posted on the cross-posting job boards because that is all the capability a smaller company might need. Check these listings daily as well.
Once you find a new job you are interested in, tailor your resume, draft a cover letter and apply immediately. Then, send your connections in that company an email telling them that which position you applied for, and share the resume with which you applied. If you can find out who the hiring manager is, send them an email as well. All too often, qualified candidates never make it to the hiring manager. There are many reasons, but I've found that most of it comes down to a software or human decision. By getting your qualified resume in front of the hiring manager, possibly with a recommendation from someone in the company, you get a leg up.
Follow up.
Follow up on the progress of the hiring process. If you are an internal applicant, you can contact the hiring manager or recruiter directly and see where they are in the process. If they tell you that you did not make the cut, thank them politely and ask if they can share anything you could have added to help with your review.
If you are an external hire, you can reach out to your connections, as they might find out about the results. But do not complain to them about the process or the result. Remember, they likely have no control over the outcome, so thank them for helping you.
Getting an interview is a difficult first step for many job-seekers. However, if you follow these steps, I believe your likelihood of success is much greater.
