The process of finding a job often feels overwhelming. It’s difficult to determine the best avenue to explore when searching for a new position. It’s also too easy to spread yourself thin between the options. The job search process requires a lot of work which often ends in rejection – how does a person deal with that?
In this three-part blog series based on a webinar co-hosted with our partner Makers, Hired teaches you how to streamline your job search. With actionable strategies, we break the process down so you know where and how to focus your efforts. Simplify your process and build confidence as you work through the steps.
Part 1: Start Off Strong in Your Job SearchSearching for a new role can be an unscripted process with no defined starting point or steps to follow. Often, this approach leads to frustration instead of success. Why? It completely ignores the real method to the job search process!
Do you feel like you’re the problem when you aren’t successful? It’s easy to assume you’re the problem, but the real issue is your process. When your search is missing critical steps, it may doom your search from the start.
Hired breaks down the job search into three easy steps. Learn about available roles and build connections for later. Expand your skill set in preparation for the job you want. Use resources like LinkedIn and your resume or CV to your advantage. Deep dive into the available opportunities to identify the perfect role.
Phase 1: ExplorationThe exploration phase should always be the first step of your job search. Start by getting involved with the communities you ultimately wish to join. Through this direct involvement in the industry, you learn about available positions. Plus, you make the connections necessary to help you later on.
A great quality of the tech world is the built-in community. Join in for the opportunity to learn first-hand what it’s like to work in these different spaces. Taking part in-person or online also allows you to discover the many technical and non-technical roles available in technology. These roles include:
Community participation is a must if you see yourself at a technology company. Coding clubs provide an excellent starting point for you to explore the industry. You start to build your own community to assist with your job search, from mentors to contacts. These communities are also a great place to learn about available positions.
Phase 2: MarketingAfter you dive into the community, it’s time to take the steps to make you stand out as a candidate in your job search. Technology is a great career to transform yourself – it doesn’t matter where you started! Focus on targeted and continuous learning. Take courses to gain the skills you need or improve your existing skills for the roles you want.
Next, it’s time to craft your CV. A good CV or resume for a tech role deviates from the traditional rules. They are project-driven and need to speak to what the employer seeks. Include the experience important in a tech team. Show your passion for tech by showing off your projects from coding clubs and courses. Talk about the podcasts you listen to and books you read. Show how excited you are to be a part of the industry to stand out when job searching.
Lastly, embrace social media as a tool to market yourself for the role you want. Change your LinkedIn profile to share that you are seeking tech jobs. Lean on your social network to find open positions by making a post or tweet about your interest.
Phase 3: The ProfessionalThe last phase of your job search process is a deep dive into job opportunities and employers. Read between the lines of job postings and company descriptions to determine if it’s a good fit for you. The research you do in this phase helps you find a role and company where you can learn and grow.
It’s important to look into the language used in a company’s job postings. Look for open positions with language that shares the company is willing to nurture you in the role. Be aware of the gender bias in hiring. Don’t feel you have to be a near-perfect match for the requirements, because male job seekers don’t!
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Editor’s note: this is Part 2 in our series with our partner, Makers, “Build...
Editor’s note: this is Part 3 in our series with our partner, Makers, “Build...