How to get started on a job search

Why Job search advice for people that know a lot? Because so much advice is tailored to young professionals and entry level positions. Tips like putting keywords into your resume to get past the online job search aren’t so helpful when the job you want was never posted online to begin with. Most mid-senior level opportunities aren’t posted on job boards, most openings are filled through networking, and often, who you know matters more than what you know. Let us be who you know. Get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox with exclusive subscriber-only content. Sign up here: https://newsletters.meytier.com/job-search-advice-newsletter

1- Pick a story

Before you begin your job search- sit down and think about your career journey and the overarching threads that connect it. Is there an impact you’re known for? For example, scaling organizations and driving growth? Was it a value or set of values that has driven you to where you are now? For example, a cause or passion that has driven your career choices? Was it a particular motivation driving you? For example, maybe you’re someone who loves pushing the boundaries of AI. 

Ask yourself what you are known for and what kind of work makes you feel energized. Once you have that answer, start to work backwards into a story that connects your career past, present and future. 

2- Visualize what comes next

For most of us, there are several (if not many) career paths we could possibly follow. Sit down and visualize what you’d like to be doing in your next role. Is there something in your current job that you really enjoy and you’d like the opportunity to do more of? Is there an aspect of your current job that you’re hoping to move away from? Do you enjoy your industry or do you want to experience something else? Make a list of jobs that people with your skill set do, look up a few job descriptions for each one and decide which ones sound the most appealing. This could be a few different job titles, a specific industry or even a specific kind of company you’re targeting to go to next. This will allow you to focus your job search on the most interesting opportunities for yourself rather than just applying to random things. 

3- Update everything

Make a version of your resume for each of the above opportunities you’ve decided that you’re interested in. For example- you’re a marketing expert who has decided that “Marketing Analytics Manager” or “Product Marketing Manager” are the two roles you’d like to do next, make two different resumes that would appeal to each of those roles. Or, you’re a Product Leader who has decided that you’d like to either work in another fintech or move to a startup, make two different resumes that highlight the skills required for these opportunities.

You should also update your LinkedIn to reflect the career story you’re planning to tell. Imagine a recruiter for one of your dream jobs landing on your LinkedIn profile, it should be immediately clear to them why you are qualified for that job. They should see your experience and your story by looking at your LinkedIn profile.

4- Get networking and say yes

Get networking- start meeting people for coffee, posting LinkedIn, going to events, and talking to others. Start saying yes to new and interesting opportunities, at work and outside of it. The more you learn in your current job the better positioned you will be for landing something new- so if a lateral learning opportunity arises at work, say yes! If someone asks you to join a network or a group, say yes. If you’re asked to present on a panel at the college you graduated from, say yes! You never know where new opportunities will come from or who is connected to someone that might be able to help you land your dream job. Keep saying yes, the larger your professional network is, the better.

5- Let people know you’re looking for your next big thing

Lastly, let people know that you’re thinking about what comes next. It doesn't have to be a public declaration- you can just let a few close mentors or friends know that you’re passively considering your next move. Let them know what your target opportunities are. Sometimes, all it takes is to put something out in the world in order for it to come back to you. People may have insights into opportunities that are perfect for you but they won’t know that you’re interested unless you let them know.