Why You Need a Job Search Strategy
I always say planning is the key to success. Success doesn’t happen through luck or happenstance. It requires knowing what you want the end goal to be and creating a plan on how to get there. A job search is no different. Especially in today’s market where hiring is highly competitive. I hate to be a bummer, but simply using online job boards to apply for job after job is not going to work. You need to take your passive job search and turn it upside down.
You might be thinking: Okay, Dianna. That all sounds good, but how do you actually create a proactive job search plan? No worries, my friend, that is what we are here to talk about.
Your job search plan should consist of three main areas:
How are you going to find opportunities?
How will you identify the allies that will support your search?
What activities do you need to generate forward motion toward your goal?
So, let’s break this down.
How are you going to find opportunities?
Job boards. While certain job boards are a great resource, not all are created equal. I recommend using three top-quality job boards. This way you are seeing good jobs and not getting bombarded with duplicates and fake jobs. I always recommend LinkedIn Jobs. This is my #1 job board because it has high-quality jobs with lots of insight. Other quality general job boards are Glassdoor, Andrew Hudson, and Google for Jobs. I always recommend a job or industry-specific job board relevant to your search such as Colorado Nonprofit Jobs, Dice, or Built In Colorado.
Your network. Something like 70% of jobs are not advertised through traditional channels so you need your network to refer you to these. Don’t be shy in asking for your network to recommend any jobs. The key part of this is to be specific. It is not the responsibility of your network to be your recruiter. If you are asking for help, say something like, “I am looking for an in-house Marketing Manager position, preferably in a small to mid-size company.” Rather than saying, “If you know of any marketing jobs, let me know!” You might think that being general is best, but it is not. Be specific.
Also, if you are currently working and don’t want to advertise that you are searching, send DMs. Pick 5-10 people who you are connected with who can help put out the word. Let them know that you are searching on the down low and ask that if they blast it out to their network, not to use your specific name.
How will you identify the allies that will support your search?
Scan your network (LinkedIn, Facebook, IG, or even a Rolodex if you are old-school) to see if you know anyone who is working in your ideal job, company, or industry. Once you have identified your allies, rank them based on your current relationships.
Ranking 1: Someone who you have either a personal or professional ACTIVE relationship with. An active relationship is someone who you connect with regularly.
Ranking 2: Someone who you had a relationship with that you need to reconnect. This will take a little more work before you can ask for help.
Ranking 3: Basically, this ranking is a stranger. You are connected with them but have no history of communication. This will take the most work to build the relationship before asking for help.
What activities do you need to generate forward motion toward your goal?
Networking, Networking, Networking!!! I can’t emphasize networking enough. Whether you are going to traditional events, doing online professional networking, or personal networking, networking is the key! You’ve heard the saying, “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know” and it is even more relevant in today’s market. Make those connections and leverage them to get you to where you want to be.
Online reputation building. Prospective employers are paying attention to what you are posting on social media. They want to see that you are active and an expert in your field. Start sharing your opinion – make comments on articles, engage on others' posts, or even write your own article. LinkedIn is a great platform to engage with your peers, ideal companies, and industry professionals.
Skill building. Pay attention to what is in job descriptions, what skills your peers have, and what skills you need for a job or two above where you are at. Continuously building your skills whether you are in an active job search or not is just plain smart. Don’t become unhireable by becoming stale.
Mapping out your job search will help you be more efficient and effective in your efforts. Job searches are no longer a passive activity. If you would like some extra help building your proactive job search strategy, click here to set up a free consultation. Let’s land you that dream job!