Things seemed much easier in the olden days before Covid (BC) – prior to the wild layoffs and remote work wars – when you could go online, apply for a few jobs, and soon place a plant on your new desk.
Today, it’s not unusual to submit hundreds of resumes to land a handful of interviews, which require more interviews, and then a long wait…just to find out the hiring manager quit yesterday, and you’re back to square one.
Yes, things are grim for job-seekers in many fields today, but those willing to bend and flex with the times are finding work.
THE OLD JOB SEARCH MINDSET
For years, career coaches have told people to create a list of target companies, set up job alerts, and apply as soon as something comes up.
We’ve also told people to grow and leverage their LinkedIn network of past and present colleagues, colleagues of colleagues, school alums, etc., to get referrals.
And, well, that’s what we had for you. Get on it!
THE NEW JOB SEARCH MINDSET
While these stalwart job search techniques are still effective, the expanding social-mediaverse and seemingly bottomless hiring pools provide opportunities for creative job-seekers to come out on top.
You can simultaneously forge relationships while building an impenetrable online brand to make you an in-demand MVP for the company of your choosing.
Sound overwhelming? Unrealistic? Hard?
It’s not if you take it step by step.
And it will produce results.
I know you can do this.
YOUR JOB SEARCH SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT QUESTION.
Have you been asking, “Where can I apply for jobs at so-and-so company?”
Or, “Is it better to apply on LinkedIn or the company website?”
These are common job search questions.
But you can do better.
Let’s flip your mindset.
INSTEAD OF ASKING WHERE TO APPLY, ASK WHERE YOU CAN ADD VALUE.
Specifically, “Where is the conversation around (your key area of expertise) happening?”
People engaging in these conversations work in, on, or around your area of expertise. They are people who know people. People who have been where you are. People who are interested in your ideas. People who need you.
You should talk to them.
Is the conversation on X (Twitter)? LinkedIn? Discord? An industry chat board? A Facebook group? WhatsApp? Instagram? TikTok? Reddit? YouTube?
The possibilities are endless.
WAIT…THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS! HOW THE F- AM I SUPPOSED TO FIGURE THIS OUT?
Calm down. Let’s put some periods on those possibilities:
- Write down up to 3 areas of expertise for yourself. These should be relevant to your field, where you are an expert or interested in further growth. Be specific.
- Write down the industries you’d like to work in. If your answer is “any,” write down your top 3. Don’t be difficult.
- Conduct the following Google searches to find influencers in your area(s) of expertise:
- Keynote speakers on (insert your topics)
- (Industry) association conferences
- (Areas of expertise) conferences
Do separate searches on each of your areas of expertise and industries. Explore the conferences to find experts delivering presentations or workshops regarding your expertise. Visit their websites and find their social media links. Make a spreadsheet so you can easily access their posts and threads.
WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT THESE PEOPLE?
Think about it. If they’re speaking at conferences, the attendees are following them. The attendees have jobs. They work for companies that also need employees for other jobs. You share similar interests, which gives you something to talk about. This is a good start!
NOW WHAT?
- Identify the 3 most prolific speakers with wide followings. Where are they posting most?
- Build yourself a nice profile on the platform.
- Set calendar reminders to engage with their posts a few times a week by asking questions and sharing original ideas. Craft your comments with the intent to generate further conversation.
- Engage with other followers’ comments. Share ideas. Ask questions. Invite them to connect with you.
- Create original posts tying into the ideas discussed in the speaker’s posts and tag them.
- Once you get a handle on your top 3 speakers, explore what your other speakers are doing and select more to engage with.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IS THE NEW NETWORKING
Building bridges by sharing ideas will help you get noticed. As you dive into interesting conversations with the speakers and their followers, you can begin to take those conversations out of the public eye and into direct messages (DMs), where you can move toward discussing your job search and asking for a referral. (Slowly! Don’t take it home before running all the bases!)
Through this approach, you’ll build a new, targeted network in your field. You’ll open opportunities on different platforms with different groups, leading you down new paths.
This strategy is not just a “today” strategy – it’s for tomorrow, too.
Once you start building your momentum, it will snowball.
Who knows? A year or two down the road, I’ll be advising job seekers to connect with YOU and your vast audience.
This strategy isn’t just for people seeking recognition in their field. It’s for anyone wanting to shore up career change vulnerabilities. (This year has proven that layoffs could happen to the best of us at any moment!)
IN TODAY’S CONSTANTLY EVOLVING BUSINESS LANDSCAPE, THOUGHT LEADERS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND.
By following these steps, you’ll forge connections and establish a strong brand as a forward thinker.
One foot in front of the other.
You don’t have to do it all in one day.
Just keep moving forward, and you’ll arrive at your destination.
Go for it!
NEED HELP WITH YOUR JOB SEARCH?
Reach out. https://kyladuffy.com
