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COVID-19 has been a wake-up call or a disaster for many businesses. But has it affected the business of getting professionals hired?
The short answer is yes.
The long answer is... well, longer.
Here we go: My main goal is to help people get hired. Period.
The effort I exert in pursuit of this varies on the package my client purchases. From writing a competitive and ATS optimized resume to coaching a client through the entire process, my input changes. But mostly, the practices I leverage for resume writing, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview coaching, and cover letters have remained the same.
However, the largest change is in how I’m instructing my clients to execute their job search and the strategies they should leverage to find a new position.
Before we jump into the nitty gritty, and contrary to popular belief, it is still very possible to get hired during COVID. In fact, 100% of my Top Prospect Coaching clients in the past 5 months have received job offers and accepted positions. (It’s my blog, I’m allowed to self-promote).
But it is much HARDER now! Want to know why? Look Below.
Yes, you read that correctly. 566 applicants for a VP of Sales role. That is unheard of. And there are dozens of positions like this on LinkedIn that have 100s of applicants. Want me to drive the dagger a little deeper? These are just the applicants through LinkedIn!!! Other candidates have applied on other platforms.
The point is, at no point in my career have I ever seen so many people applying to jobs. In the past, I had no issue with telling my clients to use job boards to apply to positions. Although it is not as effective, it was still possible. Now? Even with a fantastic resume written by yours truly, your chances of receiving an interview have lowered. There are just too many people applying for positions for recruiters, ATSs, and hiring managers to have a complete understanding of the applicant pool. You could be the most qualified person for the role, with the best resume, but still get drowned in the torrent of other applicants.
So, what do you do with these factors harming your job search?
Network.
It is that simple. You NEED to build rapport with recruiters, hiring managers, and employers. When you’re applying to positions, it is crucial that you are more than just another resume in a sea of applicants. The hiring manager must know to lookout for you.
How do you do it? Start by creating a LinkedIn account, then optimize it. What do I mean by optimize? Check out this blog post for instructions. Scroll down to the LinkedIn Profile guide. Once that is done you need to:
Engage:
Don’t have a passive account. Use LinkedIn to search for opportunities in your field or to make inquiries. Use it to pose questions to your network and don’t be afraid to reach out to strangers you feel might be beneficial to speak to.
Make Connections: You want as many as you possibly can, don’t hesitate to reach out to strangers. The more connections you have, the more likely you are to show up in recruiter searches. Connect with professionals in companies and industries that you want to work in.
Post:
Don’t be afraid to post, see what other people in your network are doing to get a feel for it. try to build the know, like, and trust factor.
Reach out:
Reach out to people who can help you get a job whether it is a hiring manager or someone who works at the company you’re applying at. But be strategic about it. No one likes a beggar. Instead of asking for a job, say something like:
Hey Name,
I saw your job posting for (position name) when I was catching up with some colleagues on LinkedIn. I’m interested in learning more about [company name], can we connect?
OR
I saw your job posting for (position name) when I was catching up with some colleagues on LinkedIn. What is the most important factor for you when you’re looking for candidates for (Account Executive) positions? I would love to hear about your process so I can improve my candidacy and earn an interview with you/company in the future.
Help:
If you can help someone else in a similar situation as yours by introducing them to one of your connections, do it. Pay it forward, because chances are, they will return the favor.
LinkedIn isn’t the only way you can network but it is the best way to do it cold. What other platform allows professionals to reach out to one another in the pursuit of finding a new opportunity? None. Use it, take advantage of your network, connect with industry and like-minded professionals, and make sure the next time you are applying for a position you are getting a referral and you are no longer just another resume in the deluge.