Next Adventure: Jobseeking Resources

I've been laid off three times in my career. While each time is different, there are some things that are constant and aren't always part of the knowledge base. "Next Adventure" is an article series that covers some of the basics, especially if you find yourself involuntarily unemployed. These are the things no one tells you!

My background is not in recruiting or hiring, my voice is from the candidate perspective after spending more than 7 collective years in job search mode. I hope you will find value here, keep helping each other to your next adventures.

Searching for a new job is a job in itself, and is especially difficult in the midst of a layoff. New resources are popping up all the time and there are a ton of options out there to assist (as well as distract). You will find the right mix of tools that are right for you. I'm sharing the mix of tools that have helped me to dampen the noise of what's going on around me while still aiding my search.

Getting Organized

The job search is full of minute details and having a plan for keeping track of it all should be your first effort. You can use free software like KanbanFlow to note the role, location, and date you applied. I also use an Excel spreadsheet that keeps track of: company, role, recruiter name, interview date (if applicable), who I talked with, and if I had a referral. Your searches will pile up quickly, and you may talk with the same people for other roles later so it's helpful to track those names and dates. Unemployment will require some of this info anyway so this helps with that as well.

Where to Search

There are so many search engines out there, some pull from each other. Creating a personal plan that includes specific companies you'd like to work for, as well as the industries they are a part of, will help you narrow the search. Also, understanding the type(s) of role of interest can narrow the search (full-time, part time, remote, hybrid, contract).

LinkedIn is a fairly comprehensive search engine for many corporate roles. But they definitely don't have everything! Below are only a few resources I've utilized in my search:

• FlexJobs is a site that posts roles that are considered "flexible." Some are part-time, many are remote. I like that their membership is affordable and doesn't require an annual commitment. They regularly offer discounts (use HEART for 50% off through February 14!). Each role they list also includes an overview of the company, and I've found numerous established companies there that I've never heard of. Along with the membership comes access to virtual job fairs and lots of other helpful job search advice. These jobs are real and I know people who have gotten jobs posted here!
• If you're in the market for a tech or startup role, check out the BuiltIn franchise. There are sites for multiple cities (I use BuiltInSeattle ) and some overlap, but it's a good way to see what companies are in your area you may not have heard of yet. You can narrow by preferred perks and learn about companies here as well. While tech may feel scary right now, I've found some stable startups here in the past.
• There are numerous sites for creative contract work, and I'm finding more all the time. A friend found a contract through The Bench and I usually keep an eye on Mediabistro which has been around for many years.
• If nonprofits, social justice, and similar roles are your pursuit, be sure to keep an eye on the Idealist website. Most organizations there have been listing salaries since before some states required it, and you can filter for roles like you might in any other search engine. Idealist also includes search resources, information about continuing education, and networking opportunities.
• Don't forget to check out your local unemployment office's page for job listings too. In Washington, our offices tend to share resources from the huge sites like Monster and Indeed but they also list actual jobs in the region that in many cases are not found on the larger sites. These offices also host a myriad of job search classes and resources, so make sure you take advantage of these free options. Often you can join these classes if you're unemployed, even if you're not collecting benefits. Check out the Washington state job board.
• Meeting outside recruiters and following recruiters on LinkedIn has its advantages too. There are a number of recruiters and other helpers on LinkedIn who are posting roles in regular posts on their personal pages. I'll be talking more about leveraging this platform in a later article, but it's worth starting now by searching for the recruiters in the organizations you are targeting and following their post activity (press the "follow" button and/or the bell in their profile if they have one, you don't need to attempt an official connection right away).

After my literal years of searching for roles, I have many opinions on the job search process. It truly is broken and there's a lot of discussion about it. A couple hot tips to bear in mind:

• At least 98% of recruiters are sourcing through LinkedIn so get active there. You don't need to be obsessed with your followers or number of connections (that's a giant article for another day). BUT you should revamp your profile with a current photo (preferably a close-up of your face) and build a banner in Canva that showcases you. Use your "About" section to highlight your assets and don't be afraid to show some personal flair. Make sure the rest of your experience mirrors your resume, many recruiters will look at your profile before they look at a resume or cover letter. There's a lot of good FREE information about how to do this (more to come), I caution against hiring someone to do this for you.
• Do not let the number of applicants for a role on LinkedIn scare you. Conjecture among recruiters is that only about 2% of them are actually "competition."
• If you find a role on a search engine like LinkedIn or Indeed, I recommend applying directly on the company website rather than doing a "quick apply."
• Going the extra mile to learn who the recruiter and/or hiring manager is, seeking out a referral, and following up, especially when you've had an interview, are key ingredients to getting noticed.
• Be realistic about your role and its salary range. Many titles are currently overinflated or incorrect. Research the company and not only the general salary for the role but the salary that company provides for the role. Only a few states are requiring salary listings (and that is still dubious at best), but there are other ways to find this information.

Extra special bonus tips!

Jobscan is a really helpful place to get your resume and mindset in order.

• They talk a lot about "beating the ATS" (also known as the Applicant Tracking System). While the ATS is a very controversial subject, the reality is that many companies use these systems to help manage their hiring process. Not all them use the option to "weed out" candidates. However, prepping your resume as if that would happen can help you to create a readable resume that is clear about your skills and what you can bring to a role.
• The free version has worked great for me! You receive a handful of free "scans" by signing up. Drop the job description text on one side and your resume on the other. The engine will show you what your resume is missing that is noted in the job description. Once you've utilized this a few times, you may get an email offering free scans for sharing an event or blog post. It's easy and I've amassed a number of free scans by doing this.
• Every fall they host a virtual "No Fear" job search week. This includes speakers about resumes, cover letters, interviewing, and lots more. You can find past weeks on their YouTube channel, and if you've got a sign in you'll receive occasional emails about upcoming webinars. There's one coming up on February 15 at 12pm EST about how to use the site. Did you know that resumes have a "heat map"? They talk about this in one of their webinars!

You'll hear a lot about how Glassdoor is biased. That may be true in some ways but that doesn't mean it's not useful!

• The primary way I use this resource is to look at the Interview section. Sometimes a candidate has been kind enough to list a role they applied for, when, and what their experience was along with a question or two that was asked. This can help you understand the culture of the company and also give you guidance for what kinds of questions to expect. Then, help your fellow seekers by reporting your own interview experiences with the company. Be sure to include the good as well as the bad, even if you didn't get the job!
• You can also see information about salaries (reported by actual employees) and details about company size. While it's not perfect information, it's a still a window into the company.
• Use your critical thinking skills. If all the reviews are awful, it may be worth paying attention. Conversely, if all the reviews are brilliant, probably take them with a grain of salt and continue your research. It's notable that CEOs can't alter comments made on the site, but sometimes they respond and it's interesting to see what the response is like. Employee comments may help you to craft the questions you'll ask an employer in an interview.

LinkedIn is not the place it used to be.

• Take advantage of that and don't disappear once you've landed a role! It's likely the current activity won't stick around forever, so make some great new connections now and help others out if you can. We're all in this together and no job is forever.
• As mentioned earlier in this article, numerous recruiters and business owners are helping out by posting job listings for their roles or within their industries. Find and follow. One of my favorites is Adam Karpiak who is hilarious in his posts and writes a very helpful, free newsletter (there is also a paid level) called Jobseeking is Hard. A personal connection, Lesa Peterman , is spending this week sharing what she sees from the recruiter view on LinkedIn when she's sourcing for a role (hint: this helps you hone your profile!).
• There are numerous "live" shows happening, along with creators who have jobseeking podcasts. I'll highlight some of those in a future article but know that there is lots of good information out there and much of it is housed on LinkedIn. Join free events, follow podcasts, and grab helpful newsletters.

I hope this has given you a place to start if you feel overwhelmed with the search. Look out for future articles on Networking and Staying Grounded, I am sending you all my best search karma!

Spot. Track. Fetch!?

At?The Idea Hound? ?we spot opportunity, track a plan, and fetch success for anyone chasing a brilliant idea!

We elevate brand by auditing and improving processes, implementing unique strategies, and producing exceptional projects. Visit us at?https://www.theideahound.com/ ?to learn more.