In today's tough job market, landing your dream job goes beyond sending job applications. The key to getting in the door at a new company is through building meaningful, intentional connections.
You can significantly boost your chances of getting more interviews, calls back, and job offers by using these best practices. By the end of this article, you’ll have a repeatable step-by-step guide to using the power of LinkedIn, Pearl, and your network to make your next career goal a reality.
The first step in your job search journey is to pinpoint the position you're interested in. Identify the specific role (e.g. software engineering, product design, management consulting, etc.), a particular industry (e.g. finance, consumer hardware, healthcare, etc.), or a company (e.g. Apple, Disney, or Target) that you've been eyeing. Clarity about your career goals is essential for effective networking, and helping people help you.
Pro-tip: When searching for jobs, search and apply by date posted. You have a better chance of hearing back from jobs that are posted more recently.
LinkedIn's advanced search feature is a goldmine for job seekers. Once you've identified your target position, head over to LinkedIn and use the search bar to find recruiters at the companies you're interested in. For example, if you're aiming for a marketing position at XYZ Company, type "XYZ recruiter" into the search bar. Then click "People".
There will likely be dozens, if not hundreds of people in this list. Filter your search results to show only your 1st or 2nd-degree connections. These connections are your gateway to reaching out to recruiters directly.
Next, determine the connection from this list who is most likely to respond to your request. This is almost always a recruiter at the company or someone with whom you have a warm relationship. Track them in your notes app, a spreadsheet (e.g. Google Sheets or Excel), or project management tool, (e.g. Trello).
Recruiters are incentivized to respond. They are responsible for identifying applicants who are potential fits for an open job opportunity. As a result, most of their job is talking with candidates, and they can best tell you how and when you can get your first interview.
Other great leads are warm relationships you have: former colleagues, classmates, or anyone you've interacted with professionally. Remember, the key is to reach out to someone who can vouch for your qualifications.
Pro-tip: Employees at companies can “refer” a person to any job at the company and are usually rewarded if that person is hired. If your connection is strong enough you can ask for a referral as well as the introduction message. Referred candidates are also usually expedited through the interview process.
Before reaching out to your connections, take some time to craft a personalized message. Start by expressing your interest in the position and briefly mentioning why you're a good fit. Then, politely ask if they could facilitate an introduction to the recruiter. If your connection is a current employee you can also ask if they are comfortable referring you for the role.
Pro-tip: Here are some tools that will help at this step.
Remember recruiters and connections have lives too and they can get busy. These are the things you can do while waiting for a response.
If your connection agrees to make the introduction, be sure to follow up promptly. Thank them for their assistance and provide any additional information they may need to make the introduction seamless. Keep the lines of communication open and express your gratitude for their support throughout the process.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of success in landing interviews using LinkedIn.. Incorporating Pearl into your job search will set you apart from other candidates by providing recruiters with a comprehensive view of your capabilities. It will also give you insight into who is viewing your work, and what the most.
As you navigate your job search journey, remember to stay proactive, persistent, and professional. With the combined power of LinkedIn and Pearl, you're poised to leave a lasting impression and seize your ideal career opportunity. Your dream job may be closer than you think – it could be just a message away!
Stop by the Pearl job board to take advantage of job openings at startups to enterprises and get started with your free portfolio today.
