Don’t Rely Solely on Job Boards and Applications! Leverage LinkedIn to Expand Your Network
Including my part-time jobs, I’ve only ever applied for two. The other seven were the results of networking and the power of referrals. Here’s what I did and I hope they can inspire some successful ideas for you.
🌑 A SHOT IN THE DARK
When you apply for a job through a job board, you likely become a small fish in a big pond among lots of other fish—especially in a crazy job market. There are technologies out there to help sort and screen applicants like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), some of which are now powered by AI. With that said, it’s possible for you to be passed over and rejected before a human even reviews your resume. You can do more to try and maximize your application and go beyond just using job boards. Read on! 👇
REACH OUT TO THE RECRUITER
📋 Find them via the job posting
Some job postings will list the recruiter or hiring manager. This is a great opportunity to reach out and make a first impression (if they’re open to it — some will ask that you don’t message them). In general, I recommend that you apply for the role and then reach out with a very short message stating that you’ve applied, what relevant/top skills you bring to the table, and that you look forward to the meeting them to discuss more.
🕵️ Sleuth them out, Sherlock
Use your skills of deductive reasoning and observation and most importantly—search filters—to narrow down and find the hiring manager or recruiter for the role. 👇
Head to the company’s LinkedIn page that you’re applying to
Click on the employees count, which creates a search filter for People at that Company.
You can browse the results and see who might be the hiring manager or Recruiter
Search for titles that makes sense to your role like a VP, Vice President, Director, etc.
For recruiters, you can try searching Recruiter or Talent
NOTE: You don’t have to pick the “right” hiring manager or recruiter. You just need to reach out to find out more details about the role or learn more about the company. See more below.
DON’T ASK FOR A JOB
Sounds counterintuitive, right? Whether you’re reaching out to follow up with a specific role or just networking to meet others, please don’t ask someone point-blank for a job. It puts them in a really awkward position and doesn’t usually make a good impression (unless maybe you’re in sales). Plus, rather than ask for a job, you should show that you’re a great fit, so instead: ask for advice or insight. ✨
“What’s a piece of advice you have for someone interested in this industry?”
If you’re looking to break into a new industry, pivot into a new career, or move up (e.g. junior to senior level), you can ask for advice. This approach demonstrates humility and a learner’s mindset. Through the conversation you have with them, you might impress them enough for them to refer you to their current company or something else. If nothing else though, you may learn something new and useful!
“What do you find challenging or fulfilling about working here?”
Especially if you’re talking to someone at the company you’ve applied to, find out what it’s like to work there, learn more about the team and processes, and maybe get an insight on what they’re actively working to solve. If you do land an interview, you can try to speak to how you’re a good fit to help solve those problems. After all, that’s what hiring is about—finding great candidates to help make the company’s goals and plans a reality.
START WITH YOUR BIGGEST ADVOCATES
Who would give you a raving professional review?
Take a moment to think about those in your network that will happily toot your horn and be a strong professional reference. Ideally it’s a former manager. Pull up their LinkedIn and look at their Connections.
Scroll through their Connections and look for people in positions of hiring authority (Managers and above) in the industry, domain, speciality, etc. of your choice.
If that doesn’t quite work, look for people who work at companies that you’re interested in or are hiring.
Once you’re found someone you’d like to connect with, ask your advocate for an introduction!
Quick Commercial Break
GRAB SOME VIRTUAL COFFEE
Whether you’re looking to change careers or advance further in your current line of work, it never hurts to stay in touch with folks and geek out over your craft. It’s a great way to learn about what’s going on in the field and keep expanding your network.
Search for a person or a job title
Set the first filter to People
To increase the likelihood of a mutual connection that can introduce you two, set the Connection to 1st or 2nd degree
If you’re looking to network with professionals local to you, you can try Location, but otherwise leave it untouched.
If you have a specific company you’d like to learn more about, try setting the Company
In the Advanced Filters, you can specify if they still work at that Company. Sometimes this distinction is useful if you wanted to, say, reach out to someone who left the company you’re interested in and find out why they left.
FIND YOUR PEOPLE—PROFESSIONAL GROUPS
There’s a group for nearly every intersection of profession x industry x location. Some are even specialized, focusing on supporting Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)! Try Googling groups for your specific domain and see who you can meet through those groups.
GET OUT THERE AND MEET PEOPLE
There are lots of resources for meeting folks in person. This is arguably the highest-effort option listed here as it requires you to get dressed, get out the door, and meet people in person, but it’s a great way to better understand your local job market. Try searching for events on sites like Eventbrite or groups that meet on Meetup!
Template for Networking Word Tracks coming soon!
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