When it comes to painting a picture of the job hunting process, a close explanation that comes to mind is this — it’s like firing numerous shots into a vast expanse, hoping to hit a target.
You know how frustrating this can be: endless applications, countless rejection emails, the creeping exhaustion, and feelings of inadequacy in relation to jobs or companies. Everyone says that the more you apply, the greater your chances of receiving that coveted ‘yes’ that erases all the rejections. However, nobody talks about the resilience required to persevere when the going gets tough. Most importantly, nobody provides a satisfactory answer to the critical ‘what-else-can-I-do question.’
While CVs, cover letters, and LinkedIn optimization are important, this post particularly addresses the ‘what else’ question.
Here are some additional steps you can take to improve and enhance your job search:
1. Take a Step Back:
We collectively acknowledge that job hunting is challenging and emotionally draining. When we discuss this topic, we often refer to the emotional strain as ‘something,’ rarely admitting how difficult it is ‘for me.’ When you’re exhausted, weary, and burnt out from the search, it’s crucial to take a break. This period of rest allows you to regain your composure, assess your entire job hunting strategy, review your resume in relation to market demands, research what recruiters look for beyond CVs, and refine your job search strategy. Take some time off, rest, reassess your efforts, and return to the search refreshed, more knowledgeable, and invigorated.
2. Establish a Job Search Council:
Your job quest shouldn’t be a solitary endeavor. There’s no need to keep it a secret. You can’t be everywhere at once or see all available job openings simultaneously. By sharing your job requirements with your network or community, you enlist others to keep an eye out for opportunities on your behalf. They may even actively scour social media and different job platforms to find roles that match your skill set. This means you have many individuals searching for opportunities on your behalf, in addition to your personal efforts. Moreover, sharing your CV and supporting documents enables them to share your resume with a larger audience when the need arises. Your network can also provide the emotional support necessary to persevere in your job search. In the words of Phyl Terry — every job seeker — whether they are looking for their first job or are an experienced CEO needs a community of support.
3. Conduct a ‘Listening Tour’:
A listening tour involves conducting market research on yourself. It requires careful consideration of your skills vis-à-vis market demands. While it’s easy to send applications to numerous positions, it’s more challenging to reflect on your accomplishments — skills, projects, expertise, experience — and how they align with the job market. Take the time to assess whether your current skills match the jobs you’re applying for and if those skills are considered valuable in the current job market. A listening tour also entails creating a preliminary document outlining your desires, interests, and career goals.
This exercise provides a holistic view of your career needs, skills, and long-term professional objectives. It helps you identify companies aligned with your career goals, roles you should pursue, and the kind of job you want. Consequently, you can strategically apply to select companies with well-thought-out, high-quality applications, rather than just submitting your CV to companies that do not align with your current and future career trajectory. This approach minimizes the risk of rejection by focusing on roles that suit your skills and expertise, optimizing for job satisfaction and happiness in the process.
The final step of the listening tour is to seek feedback from recruiters. This conversation doesn’t have to be transactional, where you directly ask for a job. Instead, it provides an opportunity to gain genuine insight into how the job market perceives you based on your professional journey thus far. Ask questions like:
- What types of jobs can I get with ease?
- What roles might be attainable but challenging?
- What positions are beyond my reach?
Take this feedback and refine your job search accordingly.
4. Consider Candidate-Market Fit:
Candidate-market fit reveals the jobs currently attainable based on your skills and experience. It does not negate your long-term career goals but helps you understand what is achievable in the present while considering your future aspirations. For instance, candidate-market fit can help you determine whether you should start with junior design roles, progress to mid-level design positions, become the Head/VP of Product, and eventually aim for the role of Chief Design Strategist as your career advances. This assessment ensures you apply for jobs that match your qualifications, avoiding the pitfalls of being under qualified or overqualified for positions at your present career stage.
With these steps outlined, you can tailor your CV and LinkedIn profile accurately to reflect your current status and the jobs you are suited for. Networking and job applications follow suit. Networking doesn’t always involve attending events; it thrives within communities. Communities provide opportunities to expand your professional network, share your job requirements, and discover job opportunities. Many jobs are found through networking, often unlisted online but located within select circles and communities.
Propel is a community-powered talent platform. By harnessing the strength of communities, we help tech professionals like you find jobs and opportunities to collaborate with leading global companies. If you’ve successfully completed the four steps outlined earlier, it is time to take the next step: start applying for exciting job opportunities on Propel. Need help with your application process, see this guide for reference.
Best of luck in your job search!
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