How To Generate A Conversation Around Your Job Search

It’s been 8 years since the last time I was in the job market. Back then it felt a lot easier. I could easily send a couple of messages and text to my vast network of colleagues and friends that I was looking for a position. At that time I would have no less than 5 new requests in my inbox within two days of referrals and people I was introduced to who was hiring or knew someone who was looking to hire.

After deciding to close my company I made the decision to leapfrog my experience and go back into the workforce. It was time to dust off my resume and build out an attractive profile.

I wrongly believed that because the last several years I served on the employer side of the job search, I could make my resume look attractive enough to have any employer short-list me and call me for an immediate interview.

Was I wrong!

Too many systems use resume bots, making my well-designed and visually appealing resume difficult to extract information. I relied on my LinkedIn profile to provide context and a narrative on the value that I provide outside of two pages of text. My Google Docs formatted cover letter often was a larger file size than I could upload, causing me to struggle with reformatting and compressing document sizes when saving. How could I stand apart and showcase the unique perspective I could bring to an organization?

For the first week every opportunity I chose to put myself in the running for I carefully spent time customizing my resume to speak to the values of the company and the qualifications they were looking for. I wrote strong cover letters that created a visual for the future growth of their company when my contribution added to their success.

And then crickets.

Automated responses saying that my qualifications did not meet their standard, or that the job has now been filled.

It’s easy to fall into negative reinforcement. Do the work and get the same result as not putting in the effort. Which one would you rather choose?

What do I find is the best thing to do?

Play on my strengths for the job hunt. Lift others up. Create a conversation.

Avoiding Job Application Exhaustion

Job hunting is a full-time job in itself.

It’s easy to get caught up in the trap of looking at it as a task, instead of a challenge.

For myself, I make it into a game. I look at all the roles I find appealing and I ask myself which of these would make my top 3. Then I only apply for those and celebrate a job well done with a walk or playing trains with my son.

I did create a “standard” resume for when I want to showcase my different skills and attributes, such as executive-level content creator, and public speaker. My cover letter talks about the networks I bring to the table and how my skill in creating those conversations can be harnessed by the right company.

I tell myself every day that the right role is out there and with the right conversation I can help create the role that is best for me and the unique skills I can bring to the table.

But more than anything, job hunting is a marathon, not a sprint. Pacing is the key to building momentum.

Setting yourself apart is easier

Even better than applying through the bots and the “easy apply” button is doing a bit of research. Who’s in the company? Who is the hiring manager?

I have found better success with interviews and conversations when I have reached out to someone via LinkedIn and let them know my interest in their company and role. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about who the people are and the culture of the company.

Are they willing to meet?

Do they encourage you to apply?

Are they open to the negatives, and not just the positives of the company?

Having someone willing to put you in touch or have a “pre-interview” says more about the company you could potentially join. If you were working for them, would the people be as willing to help out as if you were already an employee?

Job seekers, like employers, will keep great positions and candidates in their minds for years.

I have also found this to save me time on the application process. If someone doesn’t respond or provides a blanket “well, apply and see what happens” as a response - save yourself the time. Employees who could care less about who is interested in the roles also care little about when those people are part of the company. Looking for a company that will treat you like family? Find out how they respond when you ask for simple insight about their organization.

And they don’t need to meet, but at least provide a thoughtful response on why you should take your precious time to customize a resume for them and not any other position that is open.

Bring New Insights

One of the biggest things I have always believed in is the power of helping others.

It can be difficult to ask for help, but please, if you see your friends, or network looking for the right position, put them in touch with people. Share their status updates, or at a minimum comment and tag a few people or companies that can bring light to their profiles.

When I announced to my team we were ceasing operations, it was a hard and sad day. I worked with them on their first resumes, some in years. We still talk regularly and cheer each other on as we gain new interviews and find great positions. But as their informal leader and mentor, I know they deserve the best. Looking for a great teammate? Check out their profiles below:

Cashflow Queen and Proactive Financial Wizard

Neezay Abu was a student when she first came to work for me. I was a volunteer board member for her student organization. My value was to teach her group how to “sell” the value of membership in their student club. We worked for a half-day on asking questions, placing phone calls, and converting live information sessions. This quiet young woman astounded me when I saw her a few weeks later and she single-handedly brought in 70% of the new members!

At the end of the meeting I handed her my business card and told her when she is ready to work I will have a position for her.

Over the years she took charge of every task I gave her. Cold calling? Done. Creating spreadsheets? Find her something more challenging. Building financial forecasts? How about a visual presentation that inspires an entire team.

Looking for your next accounting and financial rockstar. Contact Neezay.

The Second Version of You

Kaitlyn Pipe set herself apart immediately when she applied for an executive assistant position and when she refused to be ignored.

There are positions that are posted which will generate hundreds of responses within a 48 hour period. Executive assistants are one of them.

Kaitlyn’s resume was good enough to get a call from me. But when there was no response, I decided to move on. Too many candidates who looked close enough to not worry about any individual, or so I thought.

Kaitlyn noticed my call and called back. And texted. And found my email and email.

And that sold me. Anyone who was willing to do this for a position would be willing to do this for her role

Quickly I gave Kaitlyn more of a workload. She would edit presentations I would deliver. She connected with companies for public relations opportunities. An executive is only as great at their right hand, and that was Kaitlyn.

She was Donna to my Harvey Specter. And I know that any role she is in next you will do everything to hold onto her. Because Kaitlyn’s are one-in-a-million.

Client Experience Comes From Passion

Matt Earle was hired during the odd time of Covid. His interviews were entirely online. His ability to connect with the team was hard to test when everyone was on screen, and he was one of the best team members we’ve ever had.

Clients loved Matt because he is one of the most passionate and committed people I know. He asks himself constant questions about how to make an experience even better.

Matt is incredible with technology and rebuilt our website, our learning management system, and created the most useful workbooks we’ve ever had.

He led an incredible “voice of the customer” experience in which he personally invited, curated a list of questions, and created a presentation to our team on what we can learn directly from our clients.

Matt was always willing to take on more. There was no request too big.

Matt is destined for greatness and I am honored to have had a part in his growth. Ready to create clients who are going to stand on the mountaintop and sing your praises? Matt will create that for your company.

Can you help?

Helping is as much as offering as it is asking. I humbly ask you to please share this article within your network or send it privately to someone on your team. Each of these rock stars deserves the best roles because they will give you the very best of them. Need someone on your team? Don’t second guess this decision because you’ll regret missing out on these diamonds.

What tips would you give someone searching for a role? How do you set yourself apart in your job hunt?