4 Pro Tips for Navigating the Job Hunt During COVID-19
How to level up during lockdown.
Photo: Vlada Karpovich for Pexels
With one-in-four young adults facing unemployment, there’s no better time to stay focused on your career goals. Though this might not be the easiest time to find a job, it doesn’t mean that opportunities aren’t out there—you just have to know how to find them and how to stand out in a sea of résumés. Here are a couple of ways to stay focused and remain successful in your job search during COVID-19.
Reach Out to Your Network
LinkedIn was made for times like these. Use it to your advantage and start networking! Take the time to reach out to friends past and present to see if they know of any job opportunities that might be of interest to you. Try to keep the conversation light and informative; explain what you’re looking for and how appreciative you are of their time and insights.
Are you a college graduate? Don’t forget to connect with previous professors, old classmates, and alumni who are in your field, they might know of a company or a person who you can connect with. Utilize LinkedIn messaging and InMail to reach out and start a conversation. Twitter is another great place to get ahold of people in a more direct/personal way.
Stay Active
It’s easy to let unemployment bring you down and break your spirit, but don’t forget your passion and future goals. Stay active in your job search and keep a daily schedule in order to stay fervent in your mission. Structure your days and block off time to job hunt. Not only will this keep you highly productive but will keep you from feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Here are a couple of ways to stay active during your job search:
Post a couple of times a week on LinkedIn related to your career path. This could be industry news, or even just motivational/inspirational content for others to see that you are active and using the platform for job purposes.
Build out your profile on other job sites so employers can easily find you.
Send follow-up emails for job applications and interviews and always keep checking your email for any updates.
Set Up Alerts
Job search sites like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed allow you to set up job alerts. These can be customized for whatever type of job you’re looking for, including distance, industry, type of company, salary, etc. You can also choose whether you want the alerts to arrive in your inbox weekly or daily. These reminders can be a quick way for you to stay on top of job openings and make it easier than ever to apply and get on with the rest of your day.
Update Your Résumé
There’s nothing more important than an updated résumé, cover letter, and portfolio. Your résumé should reflect your career, for example, if you’re a graphic designer, show off some of your skills with a colorful and stylish résumé. Make sure your job descriptions are detailed and concise for the average employer to read through and understand.
While applying for jobs, don’t forget to tailor your cover letter to the position you’re applying for, and be sure to include keywords that will grab the employer’s attention and prove you have all of the right experience.
Depending on your career and job history, a portfolio is another great asset to carry with you to job interviews. For writers and people in the creative field, it’s an easy way to show off your skills and clips in a more formal way than just an attached PDF.
Create the future you deserve by building your new job-hunt routine and staying on top of your goals and skills. Use these tips to your advantage and land that dream job!
About the Author: Abbey currently works at a full-service ad agency as a digital marketing coordinator. She also owns a music blog (blondieandthebeat.com) where she writes about music and artists she loves. Throughout her time as a writer and media maven, she’s remained passionate in her love of sharing stories, curating content, and inspiring women. You can usually find her cuddled up on the couch binging “Sex and the City” (for the 20th time) or caught up in a good book.
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The 5 Steps to Surviving a "No"
Don’t let rejection consume you.
Photo: Create & Cultivate
“No” can be one of the most discouraging words a person will ever hear. These two little letters can mark us with rejection, failure, disappointment, and confusion. Whether it’s in response to a job offer, a business proposal, or a networking coffee date with a leader in the industry that you look up to, here are a few helpful tips for dealing with the big N-O, no matter the circumstances.
Make a classy exit.
Say, “Thank you,” and be appreciative of someone else giving their time to hear you. It’s okay to ask a few questions about why they came to their decision or what you can do to improve for the future but yelling, lashing out, or outlining all the reasons why they are making a terrible mistake is not going to help anyone—especially you.
Choose to be gracious and kind, and you will be remembered for it.
Give yourself a moment.
The last time I was turned down for a job I cried like a baby. I was sitting in my car in the middle of Los Angeles traffic doing the ugly cry. As childish as I felt, I knew I needed to let out the tension. I had poured my heart into the application process, meshed well with the team members I had met, carried very high hopes, and felt like things were going in my favor. My nerves were frazzled by the end of the two-week interview process, and a good cry was what I needed in order to let go. It’s okay to be disappointed and it’s okay to acknowledge your feelings.
Realize it happens to everyone.
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper company because “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Oprah was once fired from a television job because she was considered “unfit for TV.”
Every single person—even the highly successful ones—has been turned down at some point in their journey. You’re in great company.
Put in some time.
Take a few hours or set aside a day to make some improvements. Go over any and all feedback you received. Update your resume. Amp up your cover letter. Ask some trusted colleagues for their input.
My husband’s Jiu-Jitsu instructor often says, “You don’t get better by winning, you get better by losing.” There are always areas for improvement, and we often find them in the midst of rejection. Take the feedback and the critiques and use them to your advantage!
Dream about the future.
There are times when you have done it all—you prepared, you rehearsed, you did the research, you have the skills, you know the market—and still you’re turned away. Sometimes there is no explanation. When these moments come and there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason, I tell myself that I am being protected from something. This thing I was running after must not be the best path for my life, and something better and more fitting must be coming up ahead.
Knowing this, we can find rest and peace in rejection because it protects us from less than the best. And we can dream about things still to come. Move on. Dream on. Go get ‘em.
What strategies have you found helpful when dealing with rejection? Let us know in the comment section below!
This piece originally appeared on Darling Magazine, by Janelle Whitaker.
Love this story? Pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board.
This story was originally published on July 31, 2016, and has since been updated.
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The Best Time of the Week to Apply For Jobs
Timing is everything.
photo credit: Becki Smith/Smith House Photography
There is a lot of speculation regarding the best time of the week to apply for jobs, and some data to back it up, but the truth is that there are a lot of factors that go into good timing.
You’ll always be among many applicants, but try to apply outside of the application rush
It’s important to remember that when you apply online, you’re one of hundreds of applicants, so it’s ideal to apply at a time when your resume might be among a smaller bunch of applicants. Most people apply to jobs when they have free time, so often people submit a job applications on the weekend. Since most companies are closed on the weekend, resumes and applications pile up, which makes it harder to get through and more likely that your application will get passed over. Applying on the weekend won’t make or break your application, however if you can avoid it, you should.
Opt for a time when someone will see your application come through
Coming from experience working in a recruiting office, if your application happens to come through as someone is sitting at the computer sorting through the applications, your resume is very likely to get viewed. This doesn’t guarantee anything, but if someone does see your application come through, you’ll make more of an impact than if your resume was one of a hundred sitting in a pile from the weekend.
Try to apply at a time when people might be going over the resumes. For example, 10 am on a weekday, once people have settled into the office and don’t have any afternoon exhaustion.
If you’re applying via an internal referral or a connection, apply on their time
If you’re sending your resume to a friend or connection to be submitted, the timing on their end won’t matter much, but make sure you’re providing your information to them upon their request. If someone asks you to provide your information to them by a certain date or time, make sure you get everything to them either prior to or at that time. Don’t be late.
GlassDoor estimates that being referred by someone at the company boosts your chance of successfully landing a job as high as nearly 7%. If someone has been kind enough to improve your chances of landing a job, make sure you work with their desired timeline. They may ask you to get it to them by a certain point so they can optimize your chances of success, or maybe they want to review your resume to give you pointers. Whatever your reasoning is, don’t question it and ensure that you get everything to them when they want it.
______________
Ultimately, the best time of the week to apply for jobs depends on many different factors such as employee engagement, and number of applicants. While there are times that are more optimal than others to apply, there is not one perfect time that will give you a higher chance of success. The bottom line is that your resume has to be great to make you stand out. You can use these tactics to give your resume a higher chance of success, but at the end of the day, your application should speak for itself regardless of when you apply.
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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C&C Classifieds No. 70: Madewell, Soukie Modern, 6up Productions & More
'Cause it's beginning to look a lot like, credit card debt.
Everyone says you shouldn't show up to a holiday shindig empty-handed. But what if you're pockets are feeling a lil' empty... it's hard around the holidays when your job doesn't support your desire to give. So, before you go worrying about how get your BFF the best present ever, maybe it's time to shop for a new job. We got you. And we don't expect any gift in return.
Soukie Modern - LA, CA
Simon Property Group - Atlanta, GA
6up Productions - LA, CA
Butter London - Seattle, WA
Cole Haan - NY, NY
Madewell - NY, NY
WANT MORE JOB OPPS? SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
EDITOR'S FAVORITES
C&C Classifieds No 68: Blended Strategy, Dropbox, Forix & More
Give thanks for these sweet listings.
photo credit: Brooke Lark
Thanksgiving week is full of turkey, talk, and catch up with the fam. It's also the perfect time to polish your resume if you're not feelin' the most grateful at your current job. Maybe it's time to switch it up.
Forget talking turkey. Let's talk new job opps.
Verge Creative Group - New York, NY
Blended Strategy Group - Los Angeles, CA
Dropbox - SF, CA
The TJX Company - Framingham, MA
BH Cosmetics - Los Angeles, CA
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No 66: Rolling Greens, Paperless Post & More
I spy with my little eye... jobs.
Who says you have to follow one career track? Or go with convention? These women certainly didn't. Nor did Kore Kitchen founder Meryl Pritchard who abides by a zero waste lifestyle policy (and incorporates those aspects into her biz). Want to join her team? We've got offerings from Meryl and other rad companies in this week's Create & Cultivate Classifieds.
Shake Shack - New York NY
Paperless Post - New York, NY
Crate and Barrel, Northbrook, IL
Wendi & Nicole - Los Angeles, CA
Rolling Greens - Los Angeles, CA
Kore Kitchen - Los Angeles, CA
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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C&C Classifieds No 63: Google, Estee Lauder, sweetgreen & More
The tricks are over.
If you didn't get any candy last night (or don't have any kids to steal it from) we've got a sweet batch of new jobs. No tricks here, just treats.
Something Social - Los Angeles, CA
LabNo25 - Los Angeles, CA
Estee Lauder - NY, NY
Green Matters - NY, NY
Google - Austin, TX
TO RECEIVE OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS SIGN UP HERE.
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C&C Classifieds Nº54: Kind, Lululemon & Microsoft
Coming in hot.
Seeing as we're at Microsoft Campus this week for #CreateCultivateSEA it's only fitting that we've got a listing from a place consistently voted one of the top places to work among millennials. Want to count yourself amongst them? Check out our newest listings below!
Prominent Hospitality Company - Los Angeles, CA
Kind - Los Angeles, CA
Torrid - Los Angeles, CA
Microsoft - Seattle, WA
Lululemon - Seattle, WA
GrubHub - Chicago, IL
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR THE FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
Photo credit: Club Monaco
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C&C Classifieds No 52: Mattel, Sweetgreen, Billion Dollar Boy & More
Find your 9-5.
What do you know about hump day? Around here we call it J-O-B day because it's the day of the week we bring you CLASSIFIEDS!
If you're sitting at home wondering what to do before the next Game of Thrones, we have an idea. Create a throne of your own by applying to one of these awesome jobs below.
Billion, Dollar, Boy - NY, NY
Sweetgreen - NYC/LA
The Good Beginning - Remote/LA
Kristin Ess - Los Angeles, CA
Mattel - El Segundo, CA
C&C Classifieds Nø 50: The Infatuation, Refinery29, HBO & More
Who's ready to get paid?
5-0 in this case is your lucky number. For our 50th batch of Classifieds we are bringing you some bangers. So if you need some job inspo to get you through this hump day, we've got you.
Scroll through and apply to your dream J-O-B today.
The Infatuation-- NY, NY
Odacite - Van Nuys, CA
Refinery29 - NY, NY
Framebridge - Washington, DC
HBO - Seattle, WA
Go Daddy - Seattle, WA
C&C Classifieds Nº49: sweetgreen, Leaf Group, Box Fox & More
It's a beautiful day for a job hunt.
photo credit: Word to the Woman
You know what time it is! Job hunt time. We've freshened up this week with new job offerings from a few of our favorite companies. Check out the listings below and if you're feeling friendly, share you cover letter lips in the comments. Good luck!
SWEETGREEN
BOX FOX -- LOS ANGELES, CA
THE CAVIAR COMPANY -- SAN FRANCISCO, CA
DBA -- WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
WANT MORE? SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE
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C&C Classifieds Nº47: NPR, Shop Filbert, Kendra Scott & More
Go ahead. Make today awesome.
Hump day is our favorite day-- for a lot of reasons. It's the week's half-way point. It's also when we roll out with a brand new batch of C&C Classifieds.
And this week has us beyond excited for you. Let's see. Are you dreaming of heading to D.C. to work for everyone's fave national public broadcast? Or do you have the Austin bug and want to dive into the Kendra Scott HQ? (Doesn't hurt their offices are what DREAMS are made of.)
You're in luck. Grab your java and polish up your cover letter. This week we're coming in strong with Classified no. 47.
Shop Filbert, Sausalito, CA
NPR, Washington, D.C.
Aisle Planner, San Diego, CA
ShopStyle, San Francisco, CA
Smashbox - Culver City, CA
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C&C Classifieds Nº44: Be Social, catstudio, Leaf Group & More
You want options? We've got options
Classifieds No. 44
get a jump of your job hunt
Yesterday officially marked the first day of summer (what up long days and sweet summer nights, we see you.) But have you seen our newest job listings? We know it's tempting to endless summer it forever, but is that really what you want? We thought not.
Say hello to our newest batch of job listings.
BE SOCIAL, SAN DIEGO, CA
CATSTUDIO, MID-ATLANTIC, NORTHEAST
LEAF GROUP, SANTA MONICA, CA
COUPAR COMMUNICATIONS, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
THE PABLOVE FOUNDATION, LOS ANGELES, CA
THE MINE, KIRKLAND, WA
C&C Classifieds Nº42: The Narrative Group, Modway Furniture, Framebridge & More
Your new future is only one application away.
Still on the hunt for the job that's perfect? Newsflash: there's no such thing as a perfect job. There IS however, a job that's perfect for you. So we're bringing you some great midweek opportunities from companies that we'd love to work at.
Check out the below and then click-thru for access to our full Classifieds listings.
Modway Furniture, Cranbury, NJ
The Narrative Group, Hollywood, CA
Framebridge, Washington, DC
Outdoor Voices, Los Angeles, CA
Food52, New York, NY
Soul Pancake, Los Angeles, CA
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The Top Career Concerns New Grads Have During Their Job Search
It's almost time to toss those caps.
photo credit: Pexels
Written by: Meredith Lepore
Here comes the class of 2017. Graduation ceremonies are already in full swing which means many members of the class of 2017 have (hopefully) already started their job searches. As much as college prepares you for many things, we know that there are a lot of knowledge holes actually when it comes to entering the real world and specifically the job market. New grads naturally have a lot of questions. Staffing firm Robert Half found some of the top concerns on the class of 2017's mind and provided some great tips.
Question #1: I don't meet all of the requirements listed in the job description – should I apply anyway?
This is a question you will often have throughout your career. Robert Half says if you meet three-quarters of the requirements, apply for the job. Job descriptions often depict a perfect candidate that doesn't really exist.
Question #2: I have a great internship. How can I approach the firm about parlaying this into a full-time role?
Robert Half says have that talk with your manager sooner rather than later. You need to convey that you would really like to stay and even suggest how you can play a role in the future but be flexible as to what the entry-level position may look like. If your manager doesn't have the budget to hire you, ask for referrals to other departments that might.
Question #3: The career I'm interested in has nothing to do with my major. How do I start my search?
Quite a common one. The strategy is to talk to everyone possible: Professors, parents, older siblings of friends, grads from your college from the previous year. Also research local firms online to see if they hire new grads. Build a Levo profile (here!) and join professional groups in your field of interest.
Question #4: I can't get a job without experience, yet I can't get experience without a job. What should I do?
The great chicken before the egg conundrum that all new grads face. Robert Half says be sure to highlight the experiences you do have, especially ones that show your soft skills and customer service abilities. This can be anything from restaurant and retail jobs, to volunteer work, internships and student activities like being on the newspaper. This shows you can balance.
Question #5: The well-known firm I want to work for just turned me down. Should I keep trying to get in there?
Definitely follow up with the hiring manager but don't only consider the biggest brands and well known firms. Be open.
Question #6: The salary for my first job offer seems low. Do I have any leverage to negotiate?
Always #Ask4More but do be aware of the market rates for an entry level role. Do your research. Check out The 2017 Robert Half Salary Guides.
The original version of this article appeared on Levo.
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C&C Classifieds Nº25: Team One, Camron PR, Of a Kind & More
photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography
TEAM ONE
Art Director (Dallas, TX)
Please email resume and portfolio to gabrielle.thammavong@teamone-usa.com
OF A KIND
Web Production, Editorial and Social Media Assistant (New York, NY)
CAMRON PR
Senior Account Executive (New York, NY)
sBe GROUP
Marketing & PR Coordinator (Los Angeles, CA)
WARNER MUSIC GROUP
Manager, Fan Engagement (Burbank, CA)
Want more?
FULL ACCESS TO CLASSIFIEDS HERE
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
C&C Classifieds Nº24: Beyond Yoga, Clare V., NPR & More!
Is Feb 1. Do you know where your job is?
photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography.
80% of New Year resolutions fail. But your job hunt doesn't have to fall into that category.
This week, we have listings from Beyond Yoga, NPR, Clare V. and more. To get full access to this week's classifieds, enter your info below!
CLARE V.
MOD CLOTH
FULL ACCESS TO CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
Top 5 Things to Remember When You’re Searching for a Job
Don't do the spray and pray.
photo credit: Sugar & Cloth
Looking for a new job is hard. It's as simple as that, and it’s easy to forget these top 5 things to remember when you're searching. You may be working long hours at a day job while searching for the career of your dreams, or you may have left a job only to spend countless hours searching for a new position. Whatever situation you may be in, you’re not alone.
Searching for a job can be a long and tedious process, and it's easy to feel dejected, however it is important to keep your spirits up and remember that everything always works itself out. It doesn't make it any easier at the time, but often when you look back upon a time you were struggling, you'll see how far you've progressed. To make it a little easier on you, I've rounded up the top 5 things to remember when you're searching for a job:
DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY, AND TRY TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
You may have applied to hundreds or thousands of jobs, and it's easy to get down on yourself, but it's always important to look at things from a different perspective. You have no idea who's on the other end, sifting through applications. Sometimes jobs are only posted for legal reasons, even when the company has a candidate in mind. Don't take it personally if you don't hear from an online job application. Chances are that it has nothing to do with you!
REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE LIKELY ONE OF HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF APPLICANTS
Because we have such easy access to job postings through online job sites such as LinkedIn, it is very common to be one of hundreds or thousands of applicants. The problem is that even if you’re completely qualified and would be a great candidate for the position, you may get passed over due to the sheer volume of candidates applying. Often there are so many applicants that determining which candidates should move forward is like finding a needle in a haystack. Be patient, make your application great, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only person to apply.
"Be patient, make your application great, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only person to apply."
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DON’T APPLY TO EVERY JOB UNDER THE SUN
Recruiters call this tactic “spray and pray,” and it’s not a tactic that anyone in the hiring industry would recommend. Contrary to popular belief, applying to more jobs is not better. The quality of each application you submit is much more important than the quantity. It’s much better to apply to a few jobs that you really want, and focus on customizing your resume and cover letter to each position than to cast wide net and apply to a lot of jobs with the same resume and cover letter.
When you use the same general resume and cover letter to apply to a plethora of jobs, recruiters and hiring managers can tell. By using terms such as “your company” instead of actually writing out the company name, or not referencing specific aspects of the company and/or job description, it becomes transparent that you’re using that resume and cover letter to apply everywhere.
What’s wrong with that? It gives off the notion that you’re too lazy to customize your documents, and that you don’t care about the company which you’re applying for. Make sure you show the hiring manager and/or recruiter who you really are and pour your soul into each application. It may be a pain at the time, but your effort will show through and benefit you.
YOU HAVE TO WANT IT, AND SHOW OTHERS THAT YOU WANT IT
I often see people who are applying for jobs they aren’t super excited about, and it is always very apparent in their applications. When on a job search, you have to be determined and know what you want. If you want something bad enough and work hard enough to get there, it will show through in your resume, cover letter, interview, and overall actions. Companies want to hire people who know what they want and will work their butt off to get there. If you’re neck in neck with another candidate, a company will almost always choose the candidate who wants it more. If you’re passionate, you’ll work harder, and that’s what kind of employees companies want to hire. If you can show how much you want the position in your application, you’ll always have good results.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE YOUR CONNECTIONS
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make. A lot of people seem to be afraid of using their connections because they don’t want it to appear as though they got the position because of who they know. It’s not ideal to be handed a job just because you know someone with authority, but reaching out to people you know in a similar field or work in a company you want to work for is always a good idea.
There may be a job opportunity coming up that you would only hear about through an internal source. You’ll still need to submit a resume and go through the application process, but reaching out to a contact could present you with a new opportunity that you had no idea existed. Remember that if you won’t reach out and use your connections, there are plenty of people who will, and they will be the ones to hear about new opportunities before anyone else. Chances are that you will never regret reaching out to a connection to let them know you’re looking for a job.
It can be hard to keep your spirits up during a job search, but remember that countless people are facing the same struggles as you, and at some point or another, every single person has been there. Take advantage of free time if you have it, and become the best version of yourself. Take a class, do some volunteer work, and polish your application package. No one will look down upon you for taking time to improve yourself. Regardless of how you’re handling your job search, don’t forget about these top 5 things to remember when you're searching for a job.
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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C&C Classifieds Nº11: Your New Job Is Calling You
New job, who dis?
August is here, summer is almost over, and opportunity is a'knockin. Are you going to answer it's call?
We've got a fresh new batch of job listings to start off the month right with Microsoft, TOMS Shoes, TED, Buzzfeed, The NY Times, and many others to give you a head start on your job hunt this month.
Just enter your name and email to see the full list below!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
5 LinkedIn Hacks To Land You A Job Interview
You have your resume up to par, but how are you maximizing your LinkedIn for your job hunt?
Original image by @lisadengler
LinkedIn. A bit of a beast but also the best way forward when you're on the job hunt. Here are some hacks most of the other candidates aren't using.
1. USE THE "SEE WHO'S VIEWED YOUR PROFILE" TOOL TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
We know. It's embarrassing. But you can use that creepy tracking system to get your name on your interviewer or future manager’s radar. When you apply for a job, search for your possible interviewer, future boss, or recruiter's LinkedIn profile. (Make sure your profile viewing settings are set to your name and headline before you do this, otherwise it won’t work.) When your name pops up on their “See Who’s Viewed Your Profile” section and then again in the resume pile, you increase the chance that they'll take a second look because they’ve seen your name before. During my job search, I looked up the recruiter, the HR manager, and my potential superiors. Two of them returned the profile view and a week later I got an email for an interview!
"When you apply for a job, search for your possible interviewer, future boss, or recruiter's LinkedIn profile."
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2. ACTUALLY UPDATE AND POST TO YOUR PROFILE
It’s great and all when that potential interviewer checks out your profile, but if you haven’t updated your experience or changed your profile photo to something more professional, it's not going to matter. Though this isn’t a totally “unknown hack,” it’s definitely something applicants frequently miss on their to-do list. Before applying, update your experience, but leave out any unnecessary jobs—your high school babysitting gig probably isn’t as relevant as some of your more recent experience. {click to tweet} When I started my job search, I had narrowed down what I wanted to do so I removed some of my irrelevant experience—like my bartending and student desk jobs—since they didn’t apply to the jobs I was after.
"Before applying, update your experience on LinkedIn, but leave out any unnecessary jobs."
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3. REWRITE YOUR HEADLINE
“Student at the University of Something” definitely isn’t as appealing as “Digital Communication and Millennial Marketing Specialist.” Make yourself sound intriguing, hireable, and knowledgeable. From my experience, standing out as a student or recent grad can either help or hurt you, so if you leave that out of your initial impression via your headline, you have a better chance of showing off your skills and experience without being prejudged based on your graduation date. (Side note: don’t ever lie about your graduation date.) I chose Media Communication Professional since it rounded up my experience in communication and digital media while also proving that I knew what I was doing without overstating my experience.
4. JOIN GROUPS AND CONNECT WITH RECRUITERS
The best way to connect with other industry professionals and recruiters is to join relevant groups—and actually participate in them. There are hundreds of groups for every industry and even general groups designed for meeting recruiters (see: The Recruiter.com Network). I’ve joined countless groups related to my industry, my interests, and even alumni groups from companies and schools I’ve been involved with not only for networking, but also for research and educational purposes. A lot of people post relevant industry content (of their own and shared) that helps me continue my education and networking post-job search. Go a step further by being one of the people posting content. Position yourself as an industry professional right away and watch those future recruiters come crawling. {click to tweet}
"Position yourself as an industry professional right away and watch those future recruiters come crawling."
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5. ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
You can't just sit around waiting for things to come your way. Don’t get me wrong, it can feel awkward to ask someone to post a ton of nice things about you, but it’s going to get that recruiter to call you in for an interview. When they see a variety of fantastic recommendations from your coworkers and superiors, they’re going to know you’re a superstar and offer you an interview asap. To get around that awkwardness, pay attention to the way you word your request and who you ask! Make sure you only ask someone who has actually worked closely with you and can vouch for your skills. I asked my immediate supervisor and simply said that I valued her opinion and that I would be honored to have her recommendation. It’s that simple! Whatever you do, don’t use the default message provided by LinkedIn—it’s impersonal and comes off quite rude! If your recommender is going to take the time to write something for you, you should take the time to ask kindly.
An original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa. Written by Laura Bauman
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