The Allora Job Search System For Applications & Networking That Gets Results

By Kelly Kugler

This is the job search system we use with our clients.?

*This advice is specific to this market and we’ll update it when a change is warranted. In other markets when the volume of applications was not as high, the advice was to network for referrals and introductions before applying but that is not in the best interest of the candidate in the current market.?

1. APPLY USING THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE

• Inboxes are at high volume now, apply before the inbox is closed then complete your networking strategies to request a referral from an employee that you are connected to on LinkedIn or another channel or ask someone you are connected to for an introduction to an employee at the company.
• Use the company website to apply for the job?

2. USE YOUR LINKEDIN NETWORK FOR REFERRALS OR INTRODUCTIONS

• Strengthen and keep your network active by using it(react, comment and share posts you find valuable a few times a week).?
• Write a short, direct message, and ask for help (our templates can guide you, subscribe to our email list and get the FREE PDF).?
• You will ask employees at the company who are 1st connections of yours on LinkedIn for help with a referral for the job.?
• When you only have employees that are 2nd connections of yours, you will find your shared connections and ask them for an introduction to the employee so your resume doesn't get lost in the application inbox.?
• In every message include:

3. IF YOU HAVE NO 1st or 2nd CONNECTIONS, ASK YOUR CAREER COACH TO CHECK THEIR NETWORK

• The more active your network is the better that is for you but do not avoid asking your coach to help you. Your career coach should offer their network to help you with introductions to boost your application or to your target companies.?
• If you are a recent graduate of a college, university, skills-based learning program, certificate program or course, internship or apprenticeship ask the professors, career counselors, instructors, etc to check their networks for any connections they can introduce you to to boost your applications to a target company and send them a professional message as we described above which they can include in their introduction message.

4. SEND A MESSAGE TO A COLD LEAD

• This is the final option but most often people are able to do step 2 or 3. You have nothing to lose. Message a recruiter, team member, or hiring manager and ask them to help you prevent your application from being overlooked in the inbox.?
• Same as above, in every message include:?
• Subscribe to our email list to receive our free PDF templates and use our search tool at the top right corner of our website to search ‘template’ for more free templates you can use

5. FOLLOW UP

• The reality is that you will not receive a reply to some or many of your messages (this depends on the strength of your network and how active they are on LinkedIn or in checking their email inbox if you message them there).?
• It is not enough to send one message and do nothing more. Everyone has a different habit with their inboxes and for many people their job, and their life outside of work gets in the way of being current with their inbox. It could be something as simple as they recently spoke at an event or made an announcement that attracted many people to message them or they were on vacation recently and have not finished clearing their backlog.?
• We recommend this schedule:?
• Each message must include a statement that you understand they may not be actively working through this inbox but you are hoping that your follow up will return your message to the top. Ask that they update you whether or not they can help you and that you will understand if they cannot.
• Give people the benefit of the doubt.?

6. MINDSET

• Keep your mindset as peaceful and as positive as you can throughout this process. It will not help your momentum or productivity if you get stuck in the mindset of resentment and anger, although it is completely justified to feel that way given how broken and productized the job search process has become but do your best to let the anger and negative thoughts come and go as quickly as you can.?
• The job search process is an exercise in patience and it is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Have support from your career coach or people who have been through a recent job search and understand what you can control and what you can’t. Only share your frustrations with people who can empathize with you and try to avoid those who are lucky to have the ignorance of not yet experiencing how companies are managing their hiring processes.

Looking for personalized advice for your career or job search strategy? Ready to create an action plan that will improve your results and make your job search efforts more efficient?

Book a free coaching session with an Allora coach at alloracollective.com/blog and find more free resources to help you!

*Subscribe to our email list to receive our free PDF templates and use our search tool at the top right corner of our website to search ‘template’ for more free templates you can use