Ready for your next great opportunity?
It is a competitive job market. In fact, super competitive. In 2024, companies see about 180 applicants per hire. That’s not a typo.
Candidates today need to find ways to stand out from the crowd.
And the best way to do that is with the right job search strategies.
Career advancement for beginners or pros: A strategic approach to job hunting always beats sending random applications. But the question is, what strategies work and what doesn’t?
Don’t stress.
We’re about to share some of the most effective strategies to land the next great opportunity. They are:
- Free to use
- Easy to learn
- Proven to work
The research and expertise in this guide are the result of years of study and thousands of interviews. By the end, you will know what to do and how to do it.
This is everything you will learn:
- Why Traditional Job Searching Doesn’t Work
- The Networking Approach That Works
- How to Create A Resume That Gets Noticed
- Application Strategies That Work
- Interview Preparation That Wins Offers
Why Traditional Job Searching Doesn’t Work
Here is the major problem most candidates have…
They spend hours scanning job boards and blasting out applications without much thought.
The issue is this approach makes candidates compete with everyone else sending applications. For roles with 100+ applicants, a hiring manager would have to be incredible lucky to find a diamond in the pile.
For recent grads and career changers: looking for jobs at bigger companies with clear career paths makes sense. You can start your career at AFNI Tucson with Afni careers that offer structured programs and growth potential for driven people wanting to do meaningful work.
But here’s what the majority don’t realize…
Approximately 60-70% of jobs are never advertised. In fact, the most common way to find jobs is through referrals or internal promotions.
Mind blown?
This is why it is so important to use multiple channels when searching for jobs. Don’t rely on just one method. A single approach is nowhere near as effective as a multi-channel job search.
The Networking Approach That Works
Networking can sound complicated and it can be at first.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
And 71.3% of job seekers use referrals to some degree. It is no surprise then that getting a referral or direct introduction makes a candidate much more likely to be hired.
Referrals receive interview invites significantly faster than applications. Some even skip the application process completely. So what do effective networking methods look like?
Start small: With connections already in your contact list. Past work colleagues, college classmates, and people you meet at professional events. These people already have an understanding of the quality of your work and character.
LinkedIn: This is NOT about adding random people or sending messages to strangers. Use LinkedIn as you would any social media: respond to posts and join groups to organically start meaningful interactions.
Events: Keep an eye out for industry events (virtual or in-person). These events are designed to bring together professionals in the same industry and have networking in the name. One conversation with a hiring manager can change your life. You need to open the door.
Networking is not a one-time thing. It is an activity you should be doing even when you are not looking for a new job. Consistency is the key.
How to Create A Resume That Gets Noticed
Resumes get about 6 seconds of a reviewer’s time.
6 seconds.
Meaning every word, every bullet point, has to earn its place on the page. The resume is where you make that first impression, for better or worse.
Generic resumes are immediately recognizable and get tossed.
Tailored resumes make the cut. They make it because they demonstrate that the applicant has taken the time to prepare and customize.
What are the tips that work?
Keywords: Applicant tracking systems are the bane of any job search. These are systems that scan for words contained in job descriptions automatically. By mirroring job descriptions, you increase the odds of passing this automated review.
Numbers: Numbers pop off a page. If you improved sales, state by how much and over what time period. Percentages, sales totals, projects completed, awards won. This is what grabs a reviewer’s attention.
Formatting: Don’t try to be clever with formatting. Most fancy designs can trip up resume scanning systems. Stick to a clean, simple resume layout with clear section headers.
Recent experience: There is no point in writing a two-page resume describing your history back to your first job in high school. Hiring managers care about recent experience. Look back three or five years depending on gaps in employment.
The resume needs to help a reviewer see your relevant qualifications quickly. Clean formatting and clear language will get you much further.
Application Strategies That Work
Quality always beats quantity.
Instead of applying for 50+ roles that match your qualifications in a haphazard manner, only apply for 10-15 that are an exact fit for your skill set and career goals. This will leave you with the time to do research and customization.
Before applying for ANY job:
- Do your research on the company, culture, values, and required skills.
- Fully understand the role’s responsibilities and expectations.
- Customize the cover letter to the position and company.
- Find and connect with a current employee or two.
Applying to fewer positions but spending more time and care on each will yield significantly better results.
Timing: The order of applications also matters. Apply early. As time passes, applications get buried and often receive less review.
Tracking: Keep records of all your applications. Have a spreadsheet or system in place to track the company, position, date applied, follow-up actions taken, etc. This will stop duplicate applications and help you see what is working.
Interview Preparation That Wins Offers
The interview is the only time a candidate gets to speak for themselves.
Candidates who fail to prepare before an interview are at a significant disadvantage.
Candidates who show up informed and ready rock an interview.
Research: Learn everything you can about the company and the position you are interviewing for. Product, services, news, mission, history, competitors. Read, read, read. The more you know, the more comfortable you will be.
Questions: Common interview questions have repeated year after year. Spend time preparing answers using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Specific examples are polished responses waiting to happen.
Questions for the Interviewer: It is customary for an interviewer to ask if you have questions at the end of an interview. Prepare at least three thoughtful questions to ask about the position, team, and growth opportunities. This also is a great way to learn more about a company and see if it is a culture fit.
Logistics: Know the logistics of the interview in advance. Interview location, parking, or video call connection details. There is nothing worse than arriving late or flustered because you cannot find the office or forgot login details for a virtual call.
Bonus Tip:
Follow up: Within 24 hours of the interview, send a brief thank-you email reiterating your interest and recapping the conversation. Candidates who follow up like this always stand out in the mind of an interviewer.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Job hunting needn’t be this overwhelming thing we make it out to be.
The top strategies in this article work and will continue to work because they are simple and easily available to anyone willing to put the effort in consistently.
So now to quickly recap:
- Network consistently – More than 60% of jobs are filled via connections.
- Tailor every resume – Send generic resumes directly to the trash.
- Apply strategically – Quality applications > Random mass applications
- Prepare thoroughly – Interviews are won or lost before day 1.
- Follow up always – Little things leave lasting impressions.
The job market is not a place that likes applicants who meander aimlessly. Those who approach the hunt for work as a skill to develop (rather than a burden to bear) have much more success.
Start using these methods today. Measure results and keep doing what works. And stop doing what doesn’t. Keep at it. That next amazing opportunity is out there waiting for the right person to find it.
Good luck, now get out there and crush it.
