Want to speed up your job search and land a great new job in the quickest time possible? In this market, you need to be more creative, resourceful, and take a multi-prong approach to job search.
You’ve already set yourself up for success: you have an accomplishment-based résumé that looks sharp, a compelling career branding statement, you are viewing online job boards, and you’ve checked in with recruiting agencies and headhunters. Now what? If you sit back and wait for the ideal job to pop up and your phone to ring, you miss out on great opportunities in the hidden job market – not advertised as yet and populated by word of mouth referrals.
If you want to stand out and capture new opportunities – before they hit the open market with hundreds of candidates competing with you – launching a behind-the-scenes job search can really pay off.
Tap into Your Network
The quickest way to source new job opportunities is to access your network of personal contacts who can tell you about upcoming job openings and recommend you to someone inside organizations.
Being referred into an organization is the key strategy to get your résumé to the top of the pile and differentiate yourself as a lead candidate. The adage: “If you’ve been referred, you must be good,” helps to position your application positively. Hiring managers value internal candidate referrals as this cuts down their ‘time to fill’ their vacancies.
Connect with your network and first focus on learning about what’s happening in the industry. Find out which organizations are growing and who might be looking for talent. By tapping into your network, you gain valuable information that can help to position yourself as a candidate with the skills and experience those organizations need.
Who can help you? Consider your former bosses and colleagues. You’ll be surprised to know they want to help you land another great role, but if you don’t ask for help, you won’t be top of mind.
Consultants, lawyers, and accountants are an interesting group that many people largely overlook. These professionals focus on providing ongoing value to their clients, and that value might be in referring a great candidate – you!
A golden opportunity surrounds any vendors you have worked with. Because they want to continue working with you in your new job, they will do their best to open doors to other organizations, in hopes that when you are hired you will bring them on board too.
Your former clients already know you are talented and experienced. They can help open doors to other similar organizations in their sector, or perhaps they need you themselves!
Mine LinkedIn for Opportunities
Succeeding in your job search is all about connections. Through LinkedIn, you can ‘meet’ people that can help open the door to new opportunities.
Start by researching your target industry and organizations you want to work for. Develop a list of 20+ companies that could use your skills and experience. Then mine LinkedIn for anyone in your network that knows someone in these companies. It’s through these third parties that you can get introductions to the people you want to meet.
Having challenges finding a connection? Consider directly contacting a hiring manager or recruiter through LinkedIn. Approach them with a compelling LinkedIn message that is personal and concisely outlines your objective for connecting (i.e. how you can add value to their organization). To help you get started, LinkedIn has a series of job search webinars that will help you craft your strategy and message.
Consider Contract Gigs
Many organizations bring contractors on for short-term assignments or to backfill vacant jobs. These contracts are a perfect way to get your foot in the door with organizations you want to work for. You can showcase your talents while networking around the organization for other contracts and possible full-time opportunities. Learn how to optimize contracting opportunities at: Getting Your Foot in the Doors with Contract Gigs.
Persistence Pays Off
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goals – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti, Race Car Driver.
Need help accelerating your job search success?
Our Career Coaches are highly skilled in helping you envision, strategize and accelerate your job search success. Our services include professional résumés and cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, interview practice, and targeted job search strategies to help you land that next great job in the shortest time possible. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs and how we can help.
We look forward to working with you!
Wishing you much job search success!
Joanne Loberg
Certified Executive Coach & Internationally Certified Career Management Professional
JL Careers Inc.
