So, I have been really “lucky” in my job searching throughout the years. Well, no. There was no luck involved at all. I put myself out there, talking directly to companies – knocking on doors and finding a job or making a job that fits my strengths and convincing those that I talk to of my value. And guess what? I have pretty much been in the driver’s seat of my career. One thing I have not done though is to regularly send out resumes when searching. Should this be part of the strategy? Sure! However, it should not be the main one.
Below is outlined a strategy that I have successfully employed many times over.
1. Decide what area or part of the city you want to work in
Work/Life balance is very important in your overall happiness quotient. Distance to work is a major aspect to consider. Would you rather work across town with traffic going both ways adding an hour or more to your commute, or a leisurely 15 minutes or less? I would sacrifice $1000s to be closer to work. When starting your job search target those areas in proximity. I like a 15-20 minute commute. This gives me a breather between my personal and work life. At the end of the day, that short period allows a winding downtime to clear the mind as well.
Perhaps your goal is different than mine? No problem, if you want to take a bus for 45 minutes to catch up on your reading, expand your search radius.
Now you know the approximate where, now what?
2. Study intensely the area and companies
Visit the buildings located in your target area. Get a physical feel for the area and the services around it. Oh, a great café next door, 2-3 restaurants down the street, convenient dry cleaning service, and daycare, whoopie! Now the companies. What kind? What do they do? Visit their website, LinkedIn profiles of their employees, services such as Glassdoor that give you insights as to what previous employees thought of their company. If they have products, try them for yourself, or learn as much about them as you can. Target 5-10 companies and become a semi-expert of them.
Now the fun part!
3. Knock on the door and introduce yourself
Scary for some people, I know, but do it anyways! Walk in and ask to speak to someone. No one available? Strick up a conversation with the office manager, the receptionist, anyone passing by and ask them if someone can make time for you. Start a conversation! Simply state that you have an interest in their company and you are looking for more information before you shortlist them. In the best case scenario, someone will listen to you for 30 seconds, and you can get a few questions in a make a contact. Then follow-up.
Yes, a little difficult due to Covid19 this past year, depending on where you live, but create that interaction any way you can. (Think outside of the box).
Here’s a little secret…
4. All companies hate to search for employees!
It is costly to find employees; takes a lot of time, interviews, negotiations, etc. You are saving them time and energy by presenting yourself at their door.
5. Create the opportunity!
You know your value and perhaps have an idea where you could make the most impact for them. Learning about their company, a few discussions with an employee or two, etc. If you make a convincing case and demonstrate authentic interest, you will at least make it to a higher-level discussion.
Your goal is to…
Get your foot in the door. See if they are a good fit for you, not the other way around, and make an impression. They should feel privileged that you are considering working for them, took the time to understand them, and additionally took a risk to gather information first hand. You made a mark, and they will remember you. There is no position open today? You have just planted a seed in their heads and changed the way they might go about filling a position, that they never thought they needed, because you showed them a viable path, with very minimal effort for them to put in place.
The universe sometimes just needs a nudge, and good things start to happen.
So this works all the time, right?
If you never ask, you will never get. I did not say that poof, a magical job is made for you instantly. You will have to target 5-10 companies, since all business realities are different. Perhaps the company is under financial hardship, and just had layoffs? There is not much you can do about that. In my experience, making the effort creates opportunities. Worse case scenario, you made a number of new connections that you can leverage in the future. If not today, then tomorrow!
In conclusion,
I last updated my resume in 2001, after I got back from working in Morocco. I did not have to use it at the interview, but it did help to provide a list of my strengths and confirm my professional value system. After that, in 2003 LinkedIn came to be. I maintain a profile, but keep it light. When you make an impact on someone, they will follow up with a visit to whatever information they will be able to find on you through a web search! Make a decent effort, but not too much. When they ask for your resume, tell them that you would gladly go over your LinkedIn profile with them!
Remember, you are not a number. Decisions to hire are built around feelings and needs on a human level. You are providing a valuable service by reaching out, saving everyone involved time, energy, and money.
Do not reduce yourself to some printer ink on a plain sheet of paper. Go out there and get it!
