A few job search tips

A few job search tips

The good folks at Quantix recently set up a networking group for some IT executives. The idea is to create a community for those of us looking for positions to connect and learn from one another’s experience.

Some tips we talked about

Today we had our first call. We did a round of introductions and the Quantix folks asked us about our journey and shared some tips. Here are some of the ones I captured. I include my reaction: ✅ = yep, I am good at this, 💡 = that’s worth a change/trial, 🎗️ = advice I have for you, dear reader, ⚙️ = tool I found.

• Some say that the OpenToWork frame on LinkedIn profile has led to fewer interviews.
  • Suggested removing it and trying that.
  • ✅ Seemed worth a try, done.
• A lot of people are applying to positions. As a result there’s an aggressive filtering step. One of those is to check for any mismatches between LinkedIn Profiles and resume. Specifically confirm that employment from/to and titles match between the too. It’s OK to have a different level of detail in each.
  • ✅ Double checked my resume and profile.
• After cold applying to positions check to see if you have a connection to the hiring manager or recruiter and ask to put in an introduction/ good word in on your behalf.
  • 💡 I need to do a better job at this:
    • I’ve applied to a dozen or so jobs that I’ve gotten either automated rejections from or radio silence.
    • I have several offers for help through networks that I have not taken advantage of.
• Can leave last position in LinkedIn, probably not an issue.
• Do the basics
  • before the interview: look up the company, look up the interviewer, learn about the product.
    • ✅ I look up the company, interviewer before meeting with them.
    • 💡 I try to learn more about the product, but I feel like I can do more here. At the very least I could ask the recruiter to send me materials to read or demo links.
  • after each interview: follow up with a thank you. use email as LinkedIn often gets buried.
    • don’t be too pushy following up with emails or connecting via LinkedIn unless they offer follow up. Go through the recruiter.
      • 💡 While I sent a thank you note most of the time, I don’t always do it. Gotta step it up.
• Show up with a positive attitude, express energy, that often makes the difference. Don’t fake it though; what’s the point of getting a job you don’t want.
  • ✅ I think I do a good job with this, showing up, focusing on what I am find exciting or asking hard questions when I am not sure.
  • 🎗️ Remember: this is your opportunity to interview the company too, do it and find exciting things about the position.
• Work on your pitch. You start every conversation with one, it’s worth the investment. Get it to be succinct and direct. Get to the meat of your strengths and highlights.
  • 💡 I have a decent elevator pitch, but it’s worth a concerted effort and trial run with a friend.
• Check that your resume parses correctly. Some ATS checker tools I found
  • ⚙️ Resume Parser by Affinda - check the json file generated! It’s pretty cool how it extracts skills from each position listed. I imagine some companies lean on this to do a filter pass.
  • ⚙️💡 Resume Parser - if this one’s right, my resume currently only parses at the overview level. Yikes! UPDATE, 2023-06-06: I confirmed with several formats and from multiple people that this only shows the overview.
  • ⚙️💡 LinkedIn Resume Builder - Haven’t tried this one yet, but apparently LinkedIn’s resume builder includes an ATS checker.
  • ⚙️✅ Adzuna resume checker This job matching site includes a resume checker. The attempt at estimating my value led to a value that was lower than I’ve been paid in 15+ years. However it was a decent resume parser.

And I’ll add one more:

• 🎗️ you’re not alone! Find a peer group, share your tips, and ask for help.