[Job Search Tip] Send Messages, Not Applications

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Hi everyone,?

I’ll be blunt: the job search sucks. For so many reasons.?

Job searching can be stressful, confusing, and debilitating. It combines lots of things that often make us uncomfortable - money, self-esteem, networking, taking risks, rejection … worse yet, it takes up SO MUCH TIME.?

Here’s how most people job hunt:?

1. Update the resume
2. Search job sites and find some jobs that sound vaguely appealing?
3. Send out dozens or hundreds of resumes/applications
4. Don’t hear back, get burnt out, run-down, and imposter syndrome creeps in
5. Sit up and do it all again the next day

I’ve been a career coach for seven years and I have seen hundreds of people ride the same roller coaster. And this method doesn’t work, as you’ve likely seen by now.?

Most people think that job applications are a “numbers game.” I call it the “click and stick” method - where people just click on job applications all day long, hoping one of them will stick. Because the more you apply, the more likely you’ll hear back from someone, right??

Wrong. You’re wasting time applying for jobs that aren’t a great fit - or worse yet if you’re overqualified. Those precious hours spent customizing resumes and writing cover letters could be spent in more strategic and fruitful ways.?

Rather than send out 100 applications, I’d rather you connect with 100 people.?

Ok, yes, I just heard you groan. I know this isn’t a popular sentiment. I know sitting behind a computer and applying to jobs all day long is easier than reaching out to strangers at the companies where you want to work.

“But Emily,” you might be thinking, “I have tried to connect with people in the past and it didn’t work.”

If you’ve tried to connect with people in the past, how many people did you connect with? I mean how many people did you have real conversations and connections with? I bet it’s less than 10, likely less than five. Don’t get me wrong, this is a fabulous start, but it’s just a start. You have to keep going.?

Today’s job market, while better than expected and still relatively tight, is quite competitive. Between layoffs and career changers, there are a lot of job applications flooding the market right now.?

There are two ways you stand out from the competition:

1. A strong personal brand, including a compelling LinkedIn profile
2. Connections with people at the companies where you want to work

So let’s talk about how you get those connections at the places where you want to work.?

First of all, do you know where you want to work? Write a list of companies that interest you. I have a whole module about this in my Find Your New Career course , and I’ll give you some highlights here:?

1. If you know what industry interests you, search by industry on Indeed's Company Reviews page
2. What about the connections you already have? Where are they working??
3. Search for companies on the “Best Places to Work” lists
4. Look up reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed

Next, find 5-10 people who work at the company where you want to work. (If it’s a mid-sized company, five people. If it’s a big company, 10 people.) You can look for anyone who works at the company, and ultimately connect with people who work in the department where you want to work.?

Send them messages asking for a 20-minute meeting/informational interview. Tell them you’re interested in working for the company one day and ask if they could provide insight on what it’s like to work there.?

Ultimately, the purpose of these meetings is to get your resume in their hand and a promise they’ll connect you with the hiring manager, but you don’t ask for that right away. (It will come up during the 20-minute informational interview.) You want to make a connection first.?

I published a 5-sentence structure for these types of emails on LinkedIn last week. (Are you following me on LinkedIn ?)?

Why should you contact 5-10 people at the company? Because you won’t hear back from everyone, you want to cast a wide net. And if you do hear back from everyone, that’s amazing! That’s more people in the company who know you and can advocate for you.

If you’ve barely done informational interviews in the past, or haven’t done them ever, I urge you to take this step to stand out in today’s job market. If you’re stuck on informational interviews or they have intimidated you in the past, look into my informational interviews course , which makes the process really easy.?

Remember, you can send out hundreds of applications, but there are two proven ways to stand out in today’s job market:?

1. A strong personal brand, including a compelling LinkedIn profile
2. Connections with people at the companies where you want to work

So get going on those connections today! It will take a few weeks to send out the messages, hear a reply, and book the informational interview, just stay patient and stick with it. This will pay off, I promise.?

To your success,

- Emily

PS: Are you sending out job applications and getting crickets in return? Book a free 30-minute appointment and tell me about your job search woes - perhaps I can provide some insight.?