There are several avenues to secure a job, and applying online is commonly one of them. You can also reach out to individuals within your community, such as friends and family, to tap into the hidden job market, revealing openings that are not publicly listed or to network, which is also a proven effective method for discovering job prospects.
Lindsay Mustain, former Amazon recruiter and current CEO of career coaching company Talent Paradigm, emphasizes proactive networking over waiting for job seekers to apply to her job postings. Instead, she continuously builds her professional network to recruit from a pool of vetted candidates.
Here's how to capture recruiters' attention even before job openings start to open:
Build an Audience on LinkedIn
Mustain strongly advises building your brand on LinkedIn, particularly through writing posts that show your expertise in your field. For example, you could discuss industry challenges and solutions, which could be practices you find beneficial or avoid in your work, and explain why they help you find success.
She also advocates for mini soapbox rants, which discuss your company's or industry's frustrations or concerns. These conversations demonstrate your engagement and critical thinking toward advancing your industry.
Even when you are not actively seeking jobs, these are the types of posts that attract recruiters' attention. Mustain mentions seeing them in her feed and receiving recommendations from others, and she would have her hiring manager come across them.
Even if those individuals do not currently have an opening for you, they will remember you for future opportunities. When these hiring managers receive your resume for a future opening, this prior connection could enhance your candidacy and potentially advance you in the interview process.
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People Leaders Expect Interaction
Familiarize yourself with other thought leaders in your industry and engage with their content on LinkedIn.
According to Mustain, they are not just posting content for nobody to read but aim for engagement and may seek professional relationships. If your content and values align, Mustain suggests interacting with them.
Mustain suggests responding to their posts thoughtfully rather than with generic comments like fire emojis or good work. Express appreciation for their unique perspective and insights. Engaging in this manner catches the attention of hiring managers and others in the industry. Even if the person posting is not a hiring manager, they may be aware of job openings within their company and could recommend you.
Deep and Unique Relationships is what Open Doors
After engaging with someone's posts a few times, you can follow up with a connection request on the site. Mustain suggests pairing it with a message expressing appreciation for their content, such as "I really loved your content."
If they accept your request, you can maintain and keep the conversation going. You may continue commenting on their posts or initiate a one-on-one conversation to cultivate genuine professional relationships where you exchange advice, share thoughts, and offer support. Having these deep relationships with people is what opens doors, emphasizes Mustain. By nurturing such connections, you may find that job opportunities come to you naturally, as people already have you in mind.
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