So you're on a job hunt

I'm a legal executive recruiter, and I put this together to “pay it forward” during this crazy time. I hope you will find this helpful. As a "headhunter" I have to deal in the best-of-the-best attorneys. I get paid to find the candidates that my clients can't find on their own. These people are most often not looking, because they're succeeding in the role my client needs. Very often, my group wants to help, but must spend out time working towards a placement, because so much can go wrong. This is a bit like trying to sell a house, but the house can change it's mind.

Anyway, I have been through a difficult job search on the road to finding recruiting. I want to pay it forward during this extremely abnormal, never-seen-anything-like-it-before, crazy time. So here goes... I hope you'll find some of my ideas helpful on your search for your next position.

First, I like LinkedIn, Indeed and Zip Recruiter for posted jobs. Look at what is posted and be BOLD in your applications. If you are even 60% qualified, APPLY. You never know! Statistics show that men are much better about doing this, because most women only feel comfortable applying to things when they are 100% qualified. Stop doing this today. Be Bold!

You will likely get the most attention the fastest for things you make the most sense for on paper.. So start there first. What is exactly like what you most recently did and what is really close? Go after that first. This will support your presentation that you make the most business sense for the role. The more a hiring manager or recruiter believes that you are the candidate who can best “walk right in” to a role, and the more they believe that you will stick, the better your chances. Unfortunately, they care less about potential and more about, “who has the highest likelihood of performing well and remaining here for at least 18 months?” Their own job security is at stake if they make bad hires.

That is why it’s essential to do everything you can to be the clear winner. Think about the way that Bill Bellichick approaches trying to win a football game. He leaves the starters on the field, even with a 21 point lead in the 4th quarter. Think about your competition. Who is following you in there? Use your interview to feature the things about you and your experience that make you a better decision than anyone else.

Prepare for your interview. Over prepare. Do your homework on the company. What is the company history? What are their mission, vision and values? I have had interviews where the very first question they ask is, “So tell me everything you know so far about Company X.” Google the most popular interview questions, and think about your answer for each one. Have great questions prepared for the end when the interviewer asks if you have any questions. I cannot stress this enough. This is not the time to be polite and say, “No, you covered everything!” They want someone who is interested, and interested people want information. A few of my favorites are:

-       What are the short and long term goals of the role?

-       If I’m selected and after a year, I’m exceeding goals and doing an amazing job, what will that look like to you?

-       How would the role evolve over time?

-       What are some things you (the interviewer) like most about the company?

-       Tell me a bit about the company culture?

-       What do the top performers have in common?

A great resource is the S.O.A.R Method. It is a great framework for crafting answers to the questions an interviewer asks. It is an acronym that stands for  Situation, Obstacles, Actions and Results. The SOAR method keeps you on track when an interviewer asks open ended questions.

https://www.humanresources.com/491/the-soar-answer-model/

As you apply to the postings that make the most sense for your background, also target] the companies you'd be inspired and excited to work for. When something about what they do truly resonates with you, it will come across when you connect with their people at these companies. Begin connecting on LinkedIn with the teams you would likely work on and the people who would likely interview you and/or manage you. 

Send something like this as a custom note when you send the connection request.

Hi Bill,

I was looking at your page and see we are both dynamically involved in the ___ industry.

I'd like to connect and offer you my network. Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you or any of your connections.

Respectfully,

Your name

When these people connect with you, wait a day or 2 and follow up with, "Hi Bill. Thanks for connecting. My network is your network. I look forward to exploring how we might help each other grow."

This technique, along with applying to what is posted will allow you to network, and possibly create an opportunity that wasn’t posted anywhere. I use this in my business development and my candidate outreach as an executive recruiter of attorneys. 

This approach works because you haven't asked for anything up front. The next time you write, they will have seen your name 3 times... then ask a question looking for useful information about when they hire / what they look for etc. e-mail subject lines to use include - RE: Time on Schedule? Or RE: When are we getting coffee? (It’s really hard not to open that one…However I'd wait until social distancing rules relax) See if that person is willing to set a quick call or meet for coffee to discuss some steps that you might take in order to hit a path to get into that company.

*It helps greatly if you can offer something of value to them. Get creative…(I send my Nan’s meatball recipe as a “thank you” when people connect with me on LinkedIn.)

Give yourself points for the interview producing activities... application = 1, connect with a new contact on LinkedIn or in person = 1, set an interview = 2, every 30 minutes of studying for interview = 2, complete interview = 3 etc.

Give yourself daily or weekly goals for points. This will help you have something quantifiable to look at on the road to landing interviews. Focus on what you can control. You can control your attitude and the amount of activities / points.

It’s a great idea to target the biggest employers in your area. Keep your eyes on their career pages.

If you are feeling stuck, it’s helpful to look at your own natural strengths. We all have unfair advantages in this world, but most people dismiss their own because we think that what comes easily to us probably comes easily to other people.

Here are three resources that I have found incredibly helpful:

“The Strengths Finder 2.0 Discover your CliftonStrengths” By Tom Rath - This book presents 34 dominant human strengths, explains each and then provides an assessment to determine your top 5. You can use this information to target which fields and careers would allow you to do more of what you do best every day. I think that many people dismiss their strengths, incorrectly thinking that if something is easy for you, that anyone could do it. Stop doing this like yesterday! Really do some soul searching and think about what you do incredibly well without that much effort. We all.. ALL have unfair advantages in this world. We all have unique talents. Write yours down. Ask your friends and loves ones what they think you do really well. You can align these with a career path in a certain field that is congruent with your natural strengths.

https://www.amazon.com/Strengthsfinder-2-0-Gallup-Rath-CliftonStrengths/dp/1595629157/ref=sr_1_3?crid=YCE12IW01A3K&keywords=the+strengths+finder+2.0&qid=1572635523&sprefix=The+Strengths%2Caps%2C412&sr=8-3

The Meyers Briggs Personality Test - https://www.16personalities.com/

Provides excellent insight into your unique personality type, and provides suggestions for ideal careers.

David Neagle’s - “The Successful Mind Podcast.”

His content helped me get unstuck big time. Listening to him, and implementing his advice helped me pivot in my career successfully and earn much more. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/david-neagle-the-successful-mind-podcast/id1364135487

Consider a career coach. As someone who has been extremely reluctant to invest in coaching, I can tell you that a coach can teach you something in 10 minutes that might have taken you years to figure out on your own.

Finally, use your current network. Think about who you know and who they know. A recommendation can help you bypass the applicant tracking systems. 

I hope this helps you in your journey. Good luck and happy hunting!

Sincerely,

Bryan Silver