If you’re looking to get hired, there are some critical insights and best practices you should work on to ensure you get your best chances at landing the position you desire.
It may be your dream job or it may be a stepping stone TO your dream job. Either way, with the market being as competitive as it is, it’s only to your advantage to really master this process.
Our previous post on the topic discussed more the best practices from the point of view of the hiring organization, but it is ABSOLUTELY relevant to all. If you missed it, check out Part 1 here (really!)
A quality hiring process makes everyone happy.
This is why we have tailored both of these posts to both sides – the hiring organization as well as the potential hire.
Our proven experience in working with this has shown that, in order for a quality hire to happen, both parties need to clearly understand the rights, expectations and objectives of the market and each other.
Therefore, this post will:
Focus on the potential hire and how to triumph in any recruitment process, rising above the rest.
1) To Get Hired. Don’t ONLY look for your DREAM JOB. But do target for your BEST JOB right now.
Yes, we all want to have our perfect career, with all that this means for each one of us. But getting there, no matter your experience or age, is not a straight or predictable process.
Definitely have a priority shortlist of position types, sectors, even target companies you want to approach.
But also have a second, more open list of opportunities that are still relevant and potentially fruitful for you. Because you NEVER know how you will get your next wonderful job or make your career.
2) Ensure you Get Hired. Make sure your personal / professional branding is TOP NOTCH.
This partly depends on what platforms your ideal hiring companies are looking at, but without a doubt, you should have at least a solid LinkedIn profile, and perhaps also a well curated one in Facebook (depending on your country and profession).
But this also includes everything from your CV (resume), emails, personal websites (if appropriate), business cards, and even self-presentation when you go to an interview (image, energy, communication, etc.).
If you want the best job you can get, they will be expecting the very BEST of YOU.
3) Be the height of professionalism, because recruiters look at EVERYTHING.
Following from the previous point, you should expect that recruiters nowadays will most definitely do background searches, Google searches, etc. for any and all clues as to your potential fit for the hiring position.
This is not to be mean! They have enormous pressure to get the right hire made for the available post because failing to do so will cause significant problems and stress for the organization, as well for you.
Think about what it’s like to be struggling in the WRONG job. So make sure you polish these various avenues and elements and it will make the process more fluid for everyone.
4) Allow yourself to Get Hired. Make sure your communication is the 3P’s: professional, punctual and positive.
Having consulted on countless recruitment processes over the years, I can honestly tell you that the first thing we look at is how the potential candidate responds to the opportunity.
There are almost always too many candidates, and fair or not, the initial contact you have with a hiring firm WILL affect how they see you going forward.
- So make sure you respond in time to their communication (PUNCTUAL)
- That you are always clear, organized, respectful and to the point (PROFESSIONAL)
- And that the energy you send out is inspiring, kind, and open (POSITIVE)
5) In order to Get Hired. Don’t blast, go deep and specific.
When you treat potential employers as a number, they will treat YOU as just a number.
It’s normal that when one is urgently trying to find a job or otherwise pressured, we may apply to jobs we don’t actually want or just feel the need to contact as many companies as possible. Understandable, but not actually effective.
Recruiters have their own pressures to make the right hire, and their jobs depend on it! If those hires fail, THEY will get the heat.
When you take the time to research the company, send a more tailored, thoughtful message, and REALLY research the positions that would be a true fit for you, you make their jobs easier, which gets you up on their list.
6) If you care about the position, give your best in what they ask of you.
We are in the digital age. There is no more physically knocking on doors or just random phone calls. No one has time for that. So when a potential employer with an interesting position contacts you and gives you a chance, go ALL OUT to ensure that your response, work, presence, is of the highest quality you can deliver.
It may feel like a drag, cause some anxiety, or interfere with your other desires and obligations. But you get ONE CHANCE. Truly. So make it a winner.
7) Looking to Get hired. Use your existing network with gratitude.
I’m still surprised at how many people, regardless of their sector, age, culture, or professional level, still fail to tap their existing network when they are looking for an opportunity.
Ego likely has something to do with it but think of it like this: if you’re a truly good fit for a position they may know about, you MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD by recommending you because you will add much-needed value to someone THEY VALUE. I learned this from one of my former business coaches, the great Sandy Schussel.
Of course don’t pressure, obligate or intimidate them and always, always, always, give due and generous thanks for their support. Also, sometimes this is not about the job itself but rather about expanding your network, getting insight into new powerful resources, helpful insights, or just some much-needed support.
Get clear on your value in detail so that asking for recommendations and referrals will truly be a WIN-WIN for everyone.
8) Be ready to Get Hired. Practice thoroughly for your interviews and overall presentation.
Everyone will tell you this. And yet still so many people don’t do it or do it superficially.
An interview is this precarious moment wherein a very short amount of time, both parties need to learn quickly if there is an opportunity of mutual benefit – you get the job and they get your performance.
But interviewing is a HIGHLY IMPERFECT process. There are those who are great interviewers but a poor fit for the position. Others who are bad interviewers but actually the right candidate.
Still, this is part of the rules of engagement to getting a job so just Google the top interview questions and prepare your answers thoroughly. You can also work with a coach or other expert in this field to get you best prepared.
9) Build your network in open, diverse and creative ways.
What we covered in point 7) is just the beginning, but definitely don’t stop there. There is a WHOLE world of valuable people, initiatives, tools, etc. that can help you make your job search process more effective and efficient.
The key is to be strategic but open.
Strategic, in taking time to really research the sectors, positions, organizations, people, initiatives, events, resources/tools, external support experts, etc. that can get you there faster and better. And getting super clear and detailed on the value you have to offer.
But the open part is also critical. You NEVER know where your next opportunity will come from.
My stellar position at Barclays as a young departmental COO (chief operating officer), eventually covering North America, Asia and South America in my 20’s, came from a random dinner conversation on vacation with a lovely restaurant owner who also worked as a high-level recruiter. Months later he called me to see if I was interested in this position before it was even published on the market. And following the proper channels and processes I eventually got the job. Had I said “no” to that critical dinner, it’s highly unlikely I would have even heard of the opportunity.
10) To spark and Get Hired. Always be gracious.
Don’t forget that recruiters are also exhausted and stressed, sifting through hundreds, if not thousands of potential candidate applications, knowing their job is on the line to get the right hire, hired. It gets boring, annoying, overwhelming. And still the good recruiters will try to do right by the candidates and the process at hand.
I’ve been dismayed by how many seemingly mature, professional people looking for jobs would get openly entitled, annoyed, if not downright disrespectful in the typical hiring process. And I mean when the potential employer is treating you respectfully, not when someone has disrespected you first.
They DON’T OWE YOU A JOB, no matter how valuable you are. What they owe you is to be professional and respectful in the process.
And this goes just as much for entrepreneurs looking to sign clients. So just doing everything we mention in point 4) will take you a long way. Always respond, be clear and thankful.
There are human beings on both sides of the process and it’s not easy for anyone. A little kindness always goes a long way.
11) Get Hired by being UNFORGETTABLE.
Many people think that in order to be super professional they have to act like everyone else. Which only gets them LOOKING like everyone else, and therefore challenges their chances of standing out in a good way.
You absolutely CAN apply the best practices of job search professionalism and still be your unique self.
In the design as well as the language you use in your CV (while still clear, organized, and polished). The personality you put through in your cover letter, your interview presentation, your overall correspondence with the hiring company, your other unique professional branding. And so much more.
Don’t cut your unique personality short to fit into a mold. And you don’t need to be an extrovert or over the top. Just get in touch with what makes you YOU and shine it bright and lovingly. Get creative for how to marry good quality job search strategies with your own beautiful, authentic self.
We have over 15 years of successful experience coaching and consulting on this topic, both for recruiting organizations as well as job search candidates. So don’t hesitate to reach out to us with your own specific questions!
