Getting a New Job During a Pandemic

February 17, 2021

Congratulations, you’ve decided to start looking for a new job! You might be feeling nervous, excited, overwhelmed, or all three. The good news is that people are actively getting jobs right now, in the middle of the pandemic. With the Federal Unemployment rate at 6.3%, the job market is pretty competitive, so might take a bit longer. As a job seeker, that means you should use all the tools available to give yourself a competitive advantage in this job market. We’ve rounded up some of our best tips to help you take your job search to the next level.

woman on couch wearing a mask in front of a computer looking for a new job

First: Networking

If you only take one thing away from this article, let networking be it. Networking is the MOST POWERFUL tool that you have at your disposal. The best part about networking is that unless the position has already been filled, it’s not too late to use it. When you apply for a job or see a posting that you’re interested in, the first question that you need to ask is if you know anyone at the company. Honestly, LinkedIn is one of the best ways to find this information out, but you can also search other social networking sites or even your email history too.

Right now, job postings are getting a lot of applicants. So many that sometimes recruiters and hiring managers can’t screen everyone manually. The intention behind networking is to have someone inside help your resume get to the top of the pile. If you have an internal employee recommending you for a position, even if they’re not in the same department or have nothing to do with HR, it can help get through the computer filters and get you in front of a real person.

Second: Keywords

woman at a table with a resume on a clipboard writing on a post it note.

So, what if you don’t have any connections at the company? Then you’re going to need to put in some work on that resume. Gone are the days of creating a single one-size-fits-all document that you can blast off at lightning speed for hundreds of jobs. While you might get a few hits playing the numbers game, you’re going to see much stronger returns if you directly reflect the job description keywords in your resume.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should copy the job description word-for-word in your resume. Try to incorporate the technical language and some soft skills as written in the posting. This customization will help you edge up higher in the ranks of applicants.

You may have heard this advice before, but here’s why it is crucial. In a competitive job market or a popular job (looking at you, project manager), there’s can be hundreds of applicants for a hiring manager or recruiter to go through. Applicant tracking systems help by sorting resumes for them and hiring managers start with the ones that the computer has determined to be the most likely best fit. The hiring manager can also filter and sort resumes based on experience, education, location, and other criteria. Still, if you don’t have the right keywords, your resume may never reach a real human.

Third: Online Interviews & Onboarding

A lot of companies have moved the entire hiring process virtually, from interviewing to onboarding. As you’re entering your job search, put some thought into your strategy for virtual interviews. There are many things to consider, and you want to be ready before you get the call from a hiring manager inviting you to interview. Check out our post on virtual interviews for more information and how to get prepared.

Coworker networking zoom meeting. Laptop with multiple faces in a meeting. Flowers and a coffee cup on the table as well.

Congratulations! You got the job. Now, to onboarding. As many positions are currently virtual, your onboarding may look different than what you’ve experienced in the past. Building relationships with a virtual team can take more effort and energy than meeting someone face-to-face. Non-verbal communication makes up a large part of our relationships, and connections are harder to build through emails, so if possible, turn on your camera.

If you can, take advantage of social networking invitations at work where you can get some off work face time with colleagues. One word of caution, being at home can make it feel more comfortable and casual than after-hours meetups but remember you still have to work with these people. As you’re building these relationships, stay professional, and imagine that someone from your HR department is listening in.

Next Steps:

If you’re preparing for a job change, we can help. We provide resume, interview, and career coaching services to clients across the US. Reach out to info@soundinterview.com for a free consultation.

How To: LinkedIn Connection Requests

November 18, 2020

If you’ve been looking for a job, chances are you’ve heard the infamous statistic that something like 70-80% of all jobs are gained through networking. As a job seeker, that can be a scary number, especially for introverts. In a perfect world, you know someone who can connect you to someone at that dream company in what we’d call a “warm handshake.” However, what do you do when you don’t have a connection? That’s where LinkedIn can come in handy. LinkedIn connection requests are one of the best tools to help you network virtually. Here’s how to send connection requests that will be accepted.

LinkedIn Connection requests

Some days I get upwards of 20 LinkedIn connection requests, and I don’t accept all of them. 99% of the time, I will decline these requests if it appears that the person is trying to sell me something (I’m looking at you, Financial Planners). Connection requests are relatively low effort to send to people, and, unlike some, I’m not a fan of collecting connections on LinkedIn. Initially, I took the approach that I’d only connect with people I’d worked with or encountered in my daily life. I’ve backed off that perspective a bit, and I’ve made meaningful connections with people I haven’t met in person. So, when I receive a connection request, here’s what I look for:

Do I know this person? If so, this is an easy yes!
Is there something in common with this person? Maybe we’ve worked together in the past or been affiliated with the same organization.
Is this person in a similar industry/profession as I am? I see this as a potential networking opportunity and sharing best practices.
Can I help this person? The best way I can identify if I can help a connection is if there’s a personal message included in the connection request.

Who to connect with

When you are looking for a new connection on LinkedIn, be intentional about who you are connecting with. Like the list above, you’re more likely to get requests accepted by people you know or when you have something in common, like a group or previous organization. Additionally, look at connecting with hiring managers or recruiters in the organization. While it might be nice to connect with the CEO or other C-suite leaders, unless you’re targeting positions reporting to them directly, they’re less likely to have the time for informational interviews and the time to build a relationship. Regardless of who you choose to send a connection request to, you’re going to have much more success if you personalize it.

Writing a LinkedIn Connection Request

When you’re reaching out to connect with someone on Linkedin, the best approach is to be clear about your motives. A personalized message will go a long way in helping them decide if they want to accept the request, and it’s pretty easy to do. Here are a few templates that you can customize:

Informational interview: Company

Hi “name,” I have been following “Company,” and I’m interested in learning more about “what.” I had a few questions, and I am hoping to connect. Thank you.

Informational interview: Job

Hi “name,” I see you are a “title” at “Company.” I’m currently a “title,” and I’m curious about what you enjoy about your current role. Would you be willing to answer a few questions? Thank you.

Looking for a position: Recruiter or Hiring Manager

Hello “name,” I see that you work at “Company.” I am a “XYZ professional with x years of experience” and would like to discuss potentially working together. I’d love to see if my background would be a fit for “Company.” I look forward to connecting. Thank you.

Connection Accepted, Now What?

Congratulations! The connection request worked. Now what? The worst thing you can do once you’ve made a new contact is not do anything. Within a few days, follow up with a message. Thank them for connecting with you. Networking relationships should be mutually beneficial, so it is an opportunity to offer any services or help you could provide along with your ask. A script could sound like “Hi “Name,” Thanks for connecting! I hope you’re doing well. I was hoping you’d be willing to answer a few questions about “topic,” if so, would you prefer email or phone? Also, please let me know if there’s anything I can help with.” Thanks, “Your Name.”

Once you’ve started the conversation, work to keep that relationship going. Please make an effort to check in via direct message every so often or engaging with the content your new connection is posting. Remember to avoid any political or other controversial topics on LinkedIn, and don’t say anything you wouldn’t want your future boss to read.

If you need some help building your job search strategy, our career coaches can help. Check out our career coaching options or email me directly at amie@soundinterview.com to create a custom plan.

Should I Go Back to My Old Company?

September 12, 2019

One of my clients, frustrated with the job search process, recently asked me about the pros and cons of going back to their old company. Deciding to return to a former company is a pretty individualized question, and there are many factors to consider when making that decision. Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself and some tips on how to be a “Boomerang Employee.”

In the Baby-Boomer generation, people rarely switched jobs, and even fewer people ever returned to their previous companies. Now, as careers are becoming more fluid, people stepping in and out of the workforce, employers see considerable value in welcoming past employees back. Organizations are setting up alumni network groups and newsletters to keep in touch with potential boomerang talent. Most of the time, previous employees have priority status in applicant tracking systems, and in some cases, companies even abbreviate the hiring process.

Benefits of Going Back

There can be lots of benefits to returning to a previous company. For one, you will likely get paid more. Typical annual raises range between 2-5%, but when you take a new job, your salary can jump as much as 15% in a move. Second, you’re going to have an easier time onboarding. Since you are already familiar with the systems and procedures, there’s less of an adjustment period. Finally, if you still have a strong network, the chances are that you will have an established reputation there.

Why Did You Leave?

What was it that motivated you to change roles? If you left your last job because you had a great new opportunity that came up or a different challenge, going back might make sense. If you left because you felt frustrated with the company, people, or the work that you were doing, take a harder look to see if this is the right decision. Ask yourself what was it about the organization that you enjoyed, and what were the things that made you crazy. It can be helpful to write out the plusses and minuses of the company. Ultimately, if you left because something was not a good fit, ask yourself if that reason is still valid.

What’s Changed?

If it’s been a few years since you worked for the company, take some time to catch up and see what’s new. Check out news articles, company earnings calls, and talk to previous co-workers to get a feel for how things are going. You are going to be bringing some new experience to the company since you last worked there. Think about what roles you are targeting.

Getting Started

You’ve considered everything you’re ready to boomerang back to your previous company, now what? First, start with your network. Find out whom you know that still works there. LinkedIn is pretty useful here since you can search by the company and see who is in your network that works there. While you’re there, explore the group section for “Company” Alumni or former employees of “Company.” Often these groups are monitored by the organization and will have valuable information about returning to work.

Using your Network

Now that you know who’s who, it’s time to start reaching out. Find time to connect with your network, who are still at the company. Ideally, your first meeting should be someone with hiring influence at the company. Try to make this meeting can happen face-to-face and if you can afford it, pick up their tab. Ask these questions:

Are they happy there? What’s different since you left?
Are they aware of any openings coming soon that might be in line with your experience?
Is there an employee referral program, are past employees eligible, and would they be willing to refer you?

Ultimately, using your network to get back into a company is the ideal strategy. If it’s been a long time since you left and you no longer have contacts there, reach out to a recruiter and try to establish a connection. After that, start applying to the positions on the company website. You will want to include your previous job there, even if it has been more than 10-15 years since you’ve worked there. If you are looking getting started or building a job search strategy, we can help! Email info@soundinterview.com to learn more.

February 4, 2019

Job Search Tips: Networking 101

Searching for a new job can be intimidating, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve been in the market. I often hear about how overwhelming it can be, and it is hard to know where to even begin! One approach the job search like any other internet search – type some keywords into Indeed or LinkedIn and see what happens. From there, you can spend hours studying job descriptions until finding the perfect job or applying to everything that maybe, possibly, potentially could fit, and seeing what happens.

While applying online can work, we know networking leads to faster job placement, higher wages, and longer employment duration (Source). So, if networking is so great, why aren’t more people doing it? In a lot of cases, people don’t know how, or where to start. Anxiety and imposter syndrome can also sneak in and make it difficult for people to reach out. Sometimes, clients are afraid to ask for ‘favors’ from others.

Imposter Syndrome

As in, “I’ve been successful in my career, but most of that has been a result of being in the right place at the right time. Someday they’re going to find out I’m not as good as they think I am.” If you’ve ever thought something along these lines, you might be suffering from Imposter Syndrome. It can be tough to recognize the potential that others see in you and own it. The hard part about networking and job seeking, in general, is that if you aren’t confident that you can do the work, employers won’t be convinced either. Don’t let your fear get in the way of a new job. It might seem silly, but power poses and having a mantra to repeat can help build confidence. Check your body language: shoulders back, head up, take a deep breath and go! Remember, you’ve got this. You could be the perfect person to take on that stretch job.

Asking for Help

Repeat after me: “Asking for help is not a weakness.” Asking for help can build a stronger bond with you and another person. When you ask someone for help, that person feels useful, and that you trust them. Asking for help can be a powerful tool to strengthen all kinds of different relationships, so spread the love around. It’s always better to get a warm introduction to a possible employer than reaching out blindly. Here’s the catch. When you ask someone for help, be willing to return the favor. Try not to rely on the same person consistently, our you might burn them out. Also, be sure to thank them for the connection, even if nothing comes of it. A simple handwritten note or even freshly baked cookies can go a long way in building those relationships.

Getting Started

So now that we’ve overcome a couple of common obstacles to networking, where the heck do you start?! There are a few ways you can get started. First, find out who you know. You can use social media or look through your phonebook. One underutilized method of networking is to send out an email to your contacts just letting them know you’re in the job market. Be selective about who you’re sending this to, especially if your employer doesn’t know you’re looking for a new opportunity.

If that’s not quite your style, help recruiters find you on LinkedIn by setting up your job notifications. This tool will help recruiters find you more easily and match you to potential positions that fit within your expectations. You can set preferences about the types of work you’re interested in, company size, industry and more. Don’t forget to double-check that your profile is up to date and reflects your most recent positions.

Creating your Top 10 list

Need more help narrowing it down? When you build a targeted list of companies you want to work at, you can see progress as your search progresses. First, do your research – what is it about the company that makes you want to work there? Awesome culture? Cool products? Stability and benefits? Great! Check out this spreadsheet to start brainstorming (hint: download a copy so you can make edits). If you feel like you’re stuck in your job search, this is a great tool to help you get unstuck.

Each week pick 3-4 companies and do something to build a network there. It could be setting up job notifications on their website, engaging with their social media pages, setting up informational interviews or even contacting a recruiter. Then, write it down and give yourself credit for the work you’ve done. By tracking your progress, you can see what strategies work as your networking progresses.

If you’re overwhelmed with where to start and need some help building a networking strategy or getting your job search kicked off, let us know. We can help with your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter reviews, and overall job search strategy.

February 8, 2017February 8, 2017

Jump Start Your Job Search

Congratulations, you’re ready to start a job search! Change can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. If you aren’t quite sure where to start, you’re in the right place. Before you start applying for a new position, the first step is to update your resume. Then, it’s time to start checking out the job market to see what’s out there. To help you in your search, we sharing some of our favorite job search resources and how to best leverage them.

One of the best things about using LinkedIn for your job search on LinkedIn is that you can see who in your network at companies where you’d like to work. Personal referrals are still an excellent way to find out about new positions and get positive references for jobs. The other nice thing about LinkedIn is that allows you to signal to recruiters that you’re looking, without making it known on your profile. If you are planning on using LinkedIn as a tool, be sure that your profile is updated before you start reaching out.

It’s considered poor form to send out connections to people you don’t know, without some explanation. If you come across a profile of someone you don’t personally know and want to connect, be sure to personalize the request. Introduce yourself and be clear about your intentions. If they accept the connection, be sure to follow up with a thank you note and be patient while you wait for a response. Be sure to be respectful and proofread your message before sending it off.

Indeed is my favorite site to use for a job search. The site is a basic aggregator, which means that it pulls together job postings from all over the internet. If you are only going to use one website to search for jobs, this is the one I would recommend. Indeed is easy to use and doesn’t require you to sign into an account to see the postings. Of all the sites, this one offers the most inclusive list of positions which ends up saving lots of time.

Another helpful thing about Indeed is that they don’t charge companies to post on the site. If you’re primarily interested in working for smaller companies who don’t have a big corporate recruiting budget, this is one of the places you’re likely to find the jobs.

I have to admit, as a former HR professional, my feelings on Glassdoor are mixed. I think that it’s a useful tool for job seekers, because it includes salary data and a lot of information on companies. There does tend to be a lot of noise in the system. Generally speaking, most people don’t take the time to write reviews unless they’re really happy, or really not happy. I’ve seen some unfair reviews written by individuals who had obvious issues with the company. On the other hand, there is great information about the interview processes for businesses and their interface is pretty easy to use. Overall, I appreciate that it is a comprehensive tool, just be sure not to make your decisions based solely on a few negative reviews.

Your Network

When you’re ready to go public with your job search, one of the most powerful tools you have is your network. Consider who you can reach out to that might be able to help. Your network can be one of the strongest advocates for you. They might know about positions that haven’t hit the job boards quite yet, and they can put you in touch with the primary decision makers at organizations.

Sending emails and making phone calls are both decent ways to stay in touch and reconnect with your network. If you want to make the biggest impression, make time to meet with them face to face. In-person meetings tend to drive stronger connections that will leave longer lasting impressions, so they are always preferred. Finally, after you’ve applied for positions, be sure to brush up on your interview skills and stories too. You never know when a recruiter will call you and ask if you have a moment to chat!