If you're applying to jobs online and not getting results, you're not alone. For most people, searching, applying, and waiting to be contacted regarding posted roles is a complete waste of time. Think this might be you? Try the following approach* instead.
1) Understand and Plan
Like any good strategy, this strategy is intended to decrease the resources it takes (effort, time, money, etc.) to achieve a specified objective.
The objective of this strategy is to initiate conversations (coffee meets, phone screenings, formal interviews) with people on teams you'd like to explore – it is not to "land a job." (Job offers come later**, but almost always require this type of interaction to happen first.)
Track your interactions (emails, responses, phone calls, interviews, etc.).
Set a specific time interval to evaluate if you're achieving a reasonable amount of conversations. (I suggest every 4 weeks.) If yes: increase what you're doing; if no: adjust your strategy**.
2) Define What You're Looking For
Build a Top Line (https://goo.gl/K4h6ce) based on the role you'd like to have next.
Then focus your résumé, online profiles, and other job search support materials/efforts around your Top Line.
3) Select Your Ideal Companies
Build a spreadsheet/database and list 10-15 companies you think you'd like to work for.
Don't spend too much time working on this list, it will grow and change over time. This is just a place to start.
4) Score Each Company on "Desirability"
Assuming you'd rather work at a company you like, than one you don't... This evaluation helps prioritize companies you'd prefer joining.
This is a quick assessment, spend no more than a few seconds evaluating each company. You can (and will) adjust this score later.
Score 1 to 5: Maybe I'd work there = 1 ... I'd love to work there = 5
5) Score Each Company on "Growth"
It's much easier to get hired at a company that's growing than one that's not. This evaluation helps prioritize growing companies.
Go to indeed.com and search each company and your location.
You can skim, but do not click on or read any of roles that come up.
Again, this is a quick assessment, spend no more than a few seconds evaluating each company.
Of course, sometimes even companies that are hiring won't show up on indeed; but remember, this is a very rudimentary/first-glance evaluation.
Score 0 to 3: Nothing comes up = 0; a couple roles = 1; lots of roles = 2; a number of roles come up and you notice a title or two are related to roles you'd be interested in = 3
6) Evaluate the Top 5 Companies for Connections
Sort the companies so those with the highest "Desirability" and "Growth" scores go to the top. (I suggest giving extra weight to desirability**.)
Start at the top and evaluate the first 5 companies for connections by searching the company's name in your address book. If nothing comes up, use LinkedIn to research the company for anyone you're connected to.
Score 0 to 3: I don't know anyone that even knows someone that works there = 0; I might know someone that knows someone there or I have a connection there I don't know very well = 1; I know someone I can contact there or a close friend knows someone there = 2; I have a close connection that works there = 3
7) Initiate Conversations
Prioritize with companies that score high in desirability, growth, and closest connections.
Then use your connections (or make new connections**) to start a conversation via email or phone. (Only use LinkedIn messages/InMail as a last resort.)
The ask: "I'm considering changing jobs, like what I've heard about your company, and would love to meet and get the inside scoop on what it's like working there." (No BS, no manipulation. You want to know more about the company, so ask.)
8) Review and Adjust
Regularly review your results and change your strategy if you're not making any new connections**.
* The strategy described in this article is adapted from Steve Dalton's "The 2-hour Job Search" (2012, Ten Speed Press). Dalton's book does an amazing job describing the current issues faced by job seekers and he suggests some brilliant strategies to address those challenges. However, as a process expert, I found many of the tactical suggestions in this book to be impractical and far too cumbersome for most job seekers to effectively implement. That said, if you're interested in diving deeper into these strategies, check-out Steve Dalton's "The 2-hour Job Search." https://goo.gl/sL7Upn
** I have a few strategies for this, but they're not included in this short article. Contact me if you want to discuss these approaches further.
Want to talk about this strategy or develop some innovative ideas for your company? Don't waste your time posting a comment, email/call me and we can make real things happen that will actually help you/your team. Seriously, I'd love to connect.