We asked recruiters in industries like media, finance, and tech how to stand out and impress a hiring manager.
Above all, avoid throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, applying to dozens of jobs a day with the same cover letter in the hopes that someone will get back to you. Startups often focus on executing until they need a position. Networking with recruiters or business leaders will help you be top of mind when a position does open up in your area of expertise.
Get creative and resourceful about how companies learn about you. Always go beyond the typical recruiting process of applying for a job. Instead, try and connect with a company's partners, investors, customers, etc. Social networks can be a great tool, but also trying to uncover email addresses [of prospective colleagues] and tapping your network go a long way.
To that point, I've found it critically important for people to highlight their experience and success leading teams, collaborating and working across different regions, offices etc, given we are functioning in a very virtual world. The need to keep connected and engaged within companies is more important than ever as we consider the challenges of the pandemic, and a post-pandemic world.
Tiffany Dyba, a career coach and consultant and a former recruiter, wants job-seekers to get ahead of the game.I believe that staying competitive in 2021 means starting NOW. Getting ahead of the game by making sure your résumé is updated. Your Linkedin is current and fresh. Making sure that your internal network is aware of your search. Reaching out and having coffee Zooms and Skypes or informational conversations.
Reach out to people in your network on a regular basis just to check in and see how you can be helpful to them. It makes it much easier to reach you when you really need something if you've been nurturing that relationship. As companies and individuals ebb and flow through an unpredictable economic environment, we will see all worker types normalize: freelance, gig, temp, permanent, etc. This helps with business continuity as organizations rebound and reinvent, but also enables individuals to find work arrangements that better match their lifestyle and sense of purpose.
Kathleen Saxton, executive vice president and managing director of EMEA at MediaLink, tells job-seekers to stay positive.Not hearing a response from companies you approach can be disheartening and even offensive, especially given there is a lot of "live tissue" — as in extraordinarily talented people on the market who are used to being recognized and cherished.
William Simon, a senior client partner at Korn Ferry, encourages job seekers to get comfortable with new hiring practices.Job seekers must be willing and able to adapt to the changing marketplace, different kinds of jobs, work environments, expectations, etc. And job seekers must take responsibility for being proactive and thorough with follow-up.
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