A Thorough Job Hunt Checklist of Recruiter Tips & Hacks
Based on my experience as a mentor for job seekers and my frustrations with candidates as a former recruiter, here is a thorough step-by-step checklist (with resources!) to set you up for success in every step of your job hunt.
PREPARING FOR THE HUNT
🖋 Consider an explanation as to why you're looking.
If you're unprepared to confidently provide a solid rationale when asked, you may appear fickle…flighty, and that can be cause for concern.
✨ Update and polish your resume, LinkedIn, and cover letter or portfolio (where applicable)
PRO TIP: As you work on job application materials, keep everything you've done in a "Resume Bank," a database where you can store the bullet points of your past responsibilities instead of constantly rewriting them. A resume can't fit everything (nor should it) so you have to pick and choose the most relevant ones for that job.
📐 Create a system to help you organize your applications.
Save short spiels about the company and role in this system. Once you start busily interviewing, it'll really help to keep everything for each job all in one place rather than mixing them up.
The worst thing I’ve heard a candidate say at this stage is: “Sorry, I’ve applied for so many jobs. Which one are you?” If you treat your applications like numbers, you’ll get that treatment back. Stay on top of things.
👉 I’ve got you covered though! Check out my Job Hunt Organizer Notion template. ⚡️
APPLYING FOR JOBS
🎯 Search job boards for your target job title or keywords.
Try LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, ZipRecruiter or discipline specific job boards. When those don’t yield as much, pivot to searching different keywords like a skill or technology you’re proficient in.
💵 Research the average salary for the role at that company.
Be ready to share a rough number because someone will ask at some point.
👉 There’s a dedicated section for that info and more in my Job Hunt Organizer Notion template.
👍 Take a moment to pat yourself on the back.
Job hunting is a lot of work. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. 🧘 🍵
📨 If you have not heard back from an application in a week, follow up.
If you do not have a point of contact, try to find someone on LinkedIn and connect with them.
If you do have a point of contact, politely ask what the status is of the role you applied for and thank them for their consideration.
🧼 Lather, rinse, repeat.
Job hunting takes patience and diligence. You can do it!
You’ve got this!
Take a moment to pat yourself on the back.
NETWORKING
Don't put all of your eggs in the job board application basket. While your applications marinate, get out there and meet people! It truly helps; my last 5 jobs were the results of networking.
👥 Use LinkedIn to find and connect with people.
Leverage who you know. Who are your biggest professional advocates? Who has worked with you and would speak highly of you? Look at their connections and see if someone works at a company you’re interested in or is in a position of hiring authority. Ask for an intro!
🧑💻 Find groups in your industry or discipline.
🏠 Join local networking groups and meet new people.
Quick Commercial Break
INTERVIEWING
📊 Analyze the job description! Look at what they're asking for and map that out to what you've done and can do.
📰 Do some research about the company’s story, mission, and products.
During the interview, slip in some mention of your learnings or ask questions elaborating on them. This shows your interest and dedication in the role/company!
🕵️ Interview the interviewer.
An interview is both an opportunity to find out more about the role, the company, the culture AND ask smart questions. Prep some questions curated to the role to find out what their future goals are, how they collaborate, what success in that role means, etc.
🎩 On the day of your interview, make sure to dress nicely.
Dress codes vary industry to industry, but I generally recommend at least a nice casual like "what you'd wear to meet your in-laws for the first time" or a business suit.
If your interview is a…
💻 Video Call — ask a friend to do a quick test call to make sure your lighting, audio, and video are working smoothly.
📞 Phone call — make sure your phone is accepting unknown numbers (I usually silence unknown callers), and that you'll have a quiet space to take your call.
🤝 On-site / In-person — bring 3-5 copies of your resume. It's good to appear prepared and thoughtful.
📝 Debrief. After your interview, document notes on who you interviewed with and what you spoke about.
The questions asked are clues about what’s important for the role. Incorporate the things you heard into your following interview(s). Plus, all interviews are practice for future ones, so learn from them.
👉 If you struggled with an interview question, we can workshop a strong response so you ace it next time!
💌 Send a thank you note to the interviewer(s).
Ideally mention something that you spoke about during the interview to make it sound more personal and genuine. If you don't have their contact, ask the recruiter for their email or have them pass along your message. If you interviewed with more than one person at a time, do not send them all the same message. Switch things up and try to tailor it to what you spoke about or what’s relevant to their position.
POST-INTERVIEW FOLLOW UP
📩 If you have not heard back after an interview in 3 business days, follow up with your point of contact.
📬 If you've been rejected for a role, send a thank you.
Mention that you would love to be reconsidered in the future for other roles. Now that you've interviewed with them, you have history, and next time, you can show how much you've grown since then.
ACCEPTING THE OFFER
📆 Determine a start date!
When can you start working? You need to account for a two-week notice for your current company, if applicable. You can also consider taking a break before starting!
👩💼 Around this point of the process, you may be asked to provide professional references.
Get their permission to be listed as a reference and let them know the details of the role, so they have context. This will help them help you!
🩺 Once you've received an official offer letter in writing, do your due diligence and look over the compensation package.
Compensation is not just your salary. Benefits like medical insurance, paid time off, 401(k), possible relocation assistance, and other perks are all ways the company saves you money.
💸 If you wish to negotiate something (salary, equity, bonus), be precise and reasonable.
Companies do NOT appreciate shady negotiations or attempts to go back and forth multiple times.
RESIGNING FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION
✉️ After you have signed the offer (and received a countersigned copy), you can resign from your current role, if applicable. A 2-weeks notice is standard.
I strongly recommend waiting until you’ve signed a written offer before you resign. Make sure things are finalized before you leave your current role.
👋 Write a resignation letter and send to your manager and HR.
You may want to schedule some 1:1 time with your manager to personally deliver the news to them. They’ll most likely ask you to send the resignation to themselves and/or HR to have written documentation.
✈️ Good luck with your next adventure! 😄
I support job seekers through every step of the way as they update their resume, prepare a top-notch presentation, juggle several offers, and respond tactfully to recruiters and hiring managers.