Instead of quickly applying for a job, take time to do the job search 2 step method.
Updated March 2020
How many times have you simply applied for a job and left your application in the hands of fate?
That’s kind of risky if you ask me.
But is there anything you can do to increase the odds that someone will actually review your resume?
Use The 2 Step Method
Most job applicants won’t take the time to do these two steps, and that’s the reason I recommend you do it.
The first step is easy. You know that drill.
You find a job online and modify your resume to showcase the most important qualifications you have for the job and send a thoughtfully crafted cover letter that explains why you want to work at that company (this requires you’ve done research and know more than the company’s name).
Step 2 is what I want to talk to you about. Go find someone who works for that company. Simple idea but time consuming to implement.
If you can find a strong ally, supporter, cheerleader, or advocate inside the company will that increase the odds of your resume getting reviewed? It is called an employee referral and it is powerful.
Employee referrals are the top source of new hires and have been for a long time! (since at least 2012 CareerXroads source of hiring study )
This is why Step 2 is so important. You are leveraging the power of an inside contact to refer you.
LinkedIn- A Powerhouse
LinkedIn is the go-to source for finding inside connections. When you go to a company’s page on LinkedIn, see who works there and who you are connected to.
If your network is tiny, that is, you have fewer than 100 connections on LinkedIn, finding first level connections is going to be tough*.
*It is important to remind you that your LinkedIn connections should mirror your real-life connections and I’m pretty sure you interacted with more than 100 other professionals over the past couple of years. But this isn’t just a number game. The strength of your relationship with your connection is equally important.
Don’t Stop
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest all draw different crowds and may enable you to tap into employees who work for the company you are applying to.
Search them all. If you have the same results I did, you will find some employees on one network you were unable to find on others.
Twitter is an open network which don’t require someone to accept your invite to see what they are saying on these platforms. And in case you didn’t know, you can follow someone on LinkedIn without connecting. Read The Difference Between Following and Connecting On LinkedIn
The benefit to you is that you can or could begin immediately building a relationship with company insiders without waiting for a personal introduction.
Use Twitter and Twitter search tools to find inside connections. Then use Facebook to see who you are connected to in your personal network. We often overlook the fact that our friends and family may know people who can help us professionally. And don’t forget about Pinterest and Instagram
You don’t have to use them all…but it is good to know about them.
More Details…
I delivered this presentation and I hope this shows you in more depth what I’m talking about. Obviously, without the words behind the slides, there are still details missing, but see what you think.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
