How to Systematize Your Job Search in 2024
- 1. How to Systematize Your Job Search During Uncertain Times Albert Qian Albert’s List February 6, 2023
- 2. About Me San Francisco Bay Area born-and-raised product marketing manager Founded Albert’s List, a community of 49,000 members on Facebook to support and connect job seekers to various resources — bit.ly/findyournextjob
- 3. Agenda The State of the Job Market Informational Interviewing Building Your Personal Brand Learning & Development Mastering the Interview Q&A | Let’s Connect
- 4. The State of the Job Market
- 6. The Impact of COVID-19 and Inflation The pandemic created a hiring boom that depended on increased demand for digital services. That demand has failed to materialize. Shortages of products remain, and the Federal Reserve has no way to incentivize businesses. Lowering demand is the task instead. As a result, moonshot projects and high-risk ideas are less attractive because money costs more money.
- 8. 2023 Promises to Be Rocky Too The Fed will continue raising interest rates until inflation falls. Multiple analysts expect a downturn, including rolling recessions. Companies may continue cutting talent—and some like Google have yet to start. Continued positive jobs reports and shortages in industries will keep raising wages.
- 9. The Job Search Game Has Changed Fewer available roles for more employees on the market. Big companies are risky and wondering what’s next. Who you know and who knows you is more important than ever. Finding ways to stand out will get you in the door. Flexibility makes a comeback.
- 11. Understanding the Basics 70% of jobs are unlisted. People hire people, not robots (not yet at least) Curiosity shows initiative and interest As roles become fewer, getting in front of decision makers gets you out of the traditional loop
- 12. Do Your Homework Understand the company from a 50,000- foot view 1 Understand the industry and where it’s going 2 Read the news and have high- level knowledge 3 Know what’s at stake (here and in the interview) 4
- 13. Ask for the Informational Interview Focus on warm networks—mutual friends, previous employers, alumni networks. Ask for 20 minutes. It gives enough time to ask basic questions. Prepare your questions in advance. Don’t come in with a motive, other than being curious and wanting to learn more. Don’t expect anything—but give your attention and respect.
- 15. If It Goes Right, You’ll Be Successful… Often, a great conversation needs to an opportunity. Be gracious and open to what may come. FOLLOW UP!
- 16. Building Your Personal Brand
- 17. If You Build It, Will They Come? Your personal brand is what others know you for. It can be your knowledge, insights, interests, and personability. People hire people, so personality matters. How you show up matters.
- 18. There Are MANY Ways to Get Out There Personal Website or Portfolio LinkedIn Facebook TikTok Medium / Blogging Twitter In-person networking events YouTube Virtual events Volunteering Clubhouse
- 19. Focus and Accelerate FIND OUT WHERE YOUR AUDIENCE IS. ENGAGE WITH THE INTENTION OF HELPING. BUILD YOUR CREDIBILITY IN THE MARKET THROUGH INSIGHTS. BE BOLD AND CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO. BE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SELF.
- 20. Get Started Today Record a short video. Write a blog post about your industry. Reach out to someone in your network. Build a targeted community. Volunteer—and show up consistently. Create a project to stand out.
- 22. Do Your Homework Know the economy—and your industry. Refresh and gain new skills for work. Network regularly with professionals in your industry. Read the news and understand new developments. Apply knowledge to your interviews.
- 24. Learning Doesn’t Have to Be Pricey LinkedIn Learning is free through your local library. Use YouTube and take notes. Apply what you learn to personal projects. Take advantage of sales on Udemy.
- 26. An Interview is Two Things Mitigating Risk (Avenues of Concern) 1 Selling Yourself as the Best Solution (Avenues of Excitement) 2
- 27. What is Mitigating Risk? Companies are looking for red flags. In a competitive market, the flags become bigger. The small things matter—how you dress, how you show up, and your attitude.
- 28. Positioning Yourself as “The One” You’re at the interview. Companies want you to do well. Companies have problems. You have the solution. Identify what’s at stake for the business. Tell the stories that set you apart from others. Discover what they are asking for. Increase the Avenues of Excitement.
- 29. Get Actionable On Your Interviewing Create and prepare Create and prepare a document of questions and stories. Brainstorm Brainstorm where you’ve been and where you’re going. Understand Understand what is at stake. Be Be aware of how your stories create Avenues of Excitement and Avenues of Concern. Increase the former and reduce the latter. Practice Practice your answers with a friend.
- 30. Putting it All Together
- 31. Putting it All Together… Comprehensive job search mastery is needed to survive a tough job market. Like working when you’re hired, you must turn job hunting into a habit. It’s understandable to have fears, but you must overcome.
- 32. Step 1: First Moments From Job Loss Take a deep breath. You're free. If your company is generous, you've likely received a severance package. Take a few days to yourself. Review the severance package. File for unemployment.
- 33. Step 2: Build Out Your Infrastructure Announce that you are available and begin to build your brand. Start building new habits to help you get into a job search. Update your resume, LinkedIn, and portfolio. Sign up for LinkedIn Premium. Start placing your resume on job search sites. Find accountability partners and support systems.
- 34. Step 3: Get on Offense Apply for jobs… and start reaching out for informational interviews. Check your morale at the door. Get to networking events and meeting others. Build your personal brand and share insights about your industry multiple times a week. Practice accountability with those around you. Fill up your calendar with interviews.
- 35. Step 4: Perfect Your Defense Preserve your mental health. Integrate learning into your day. Build a meaningful side project. Follow up with opportunities. Be prepared for anything.
- 36. Step 5: Repeat Until You Get That Job (Take breaks if you need to)
- 37. Next Steps
- 38. Join Albert’s List https://bit.ly/findyournextjob Meet 47,000 recruiters, job seekers, hiring managers, coaches, and more. Get/Give advice, discover jobs, get referred, or network with others.
- 39. Q&A + Let’s Connect Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/albertqian Send me an email: albert@ajobslist.com
- 40. Thank You