Atypical Advice For An Atypical Job Market
Alright, let’s cut through the usual, banal job-seeking platitudes and dive into some unvarnished truths about job hunting in our modern age. These are my quick thoughts on going rogue:
Stop the Resume Spam
If your idea of job hunting is blasting out a generic resume to hundreds of employers and waiting for a bite, stop right there. It’s the equivalent of shooting in the dark while wearing a blindfold. Custom-tailor each application. Show you’ve done your homework. Prove you’re not just looking for a job, but this job.
Leverage Your Digital Tattoo
In the digital age, your online presence is your new resume. Think your prospective employers aren’t Googling you? Think again. Your LinkedIn, your tweets, even those Instagram stories from that rave last summer. They paint a picture of who you are. So, ensure your digital persona reflects the person you want to pitch to employers.
Become a Mini Brand
We’re in an era where personal branding isn’t just for influencers or CEOs. It’s for anyone with ambition. That doesn’t mean a personal logo or catchy tagline, but a consistent narrative about who you are, what you offer, and why you’re different. Your unique value proposition isn’t just a product pitch — it’s a career pitch.
Network Sideways
Everyone’s aiming for those high-profile connections, trying to get the attention of the CEO, the director, the “big fish.” But don’t undervalue the power of networking sideways. Your peers, the recent hires, even the intern might be your golden ticket. Relationships with them can yield insights, recommendations, or an internal referral.
Stop Talking. Start Listening
When you get that interview, resist the urge to fill every silence with your accomplishments. Listen. Understand the company’s pain points. Align your skills as solutions. Sometimes, the most profound impact comes not from the barrage of words but from understanding, empathizing, and strategically positioning yourself.
Embrace the Side Hustle
There’s a misconception that side gigs make you seem unfocused. False. They highlight passion, drive, and entrepreneurial spirit. Maybe you code apps on weekends or consult for nonprofits in the evenings. These endeavors showcase a mosaic of skills that the 9–5 grind might not capture.
Rejection is Your Data Point
Most people see rejection as a door slammed on their face. Instead, view it as feedback. Analyze it. Why didn’t you make the cut? Was it a skills mismatch, a cultural misfit, or just bad timing? Rejections aren’t a stop sign; they’re directional arrows pointing you to where you need to go next.
Be Atypical
To wrap this up, the job market is an ever-evolving beast, a complex maze where the old rulebook doesn’t just fall short; it’s virtually obsolete. If you’re going to dive into this arena, don’t just play the game; redefine it. Bring a blend of audacity, authenticity, and analytical prowess. Remember, in the grand chessboard of career moves, it’s not just about the king’s gambit; sometimes, it’s the pawn’s relentless march that truly changes the game.
Brian Fink is the author of Talk Tech To Me. He takes on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplifies them for the modern recruiter. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of technical recruiting with a unique perspective — a perspective intended to help you find, engage, and partner with professionals.
