How I do “job search”

1. I begin with finding jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn.  Indeed is a job aggregator which means it pulls in job posts from all over the Internet into one convenient location.
2. I look at LinkedIn to see who all I know at that company.
3. I reach out to the people I know asking if they can look up internally to see who the recruiter is.  I’m also inquiring if they’d be willing to put my resume forward or let me put them in as an internal referrer.
4. I copy the job post details into a Word document and store it on my computer in a folder under the name of the company.  I will go through the job post and highlight key skills they are asking for in the job description so that I will know what I need to try to include in my resume.
5. I then find a version of my resume that I have used for a similar job in the past and I will copy that resume to a folder under the name of the company.  Every job submission has a unique resume tailored to their job description.
6. I will then customize the resume to use the language used in the job description.
7. I will submit the resume online.
8. I then go to LinkedIn and search for the company and then click to see all the employees of that company and then I add a filter with the word “Talent” or “Recruiter” or “Sourcer” in the title.  I send those people a connection request on LinkedIn.  I have a script for that that goes like this:

   Hello _________.
   I see you are on the talent acquisition team at ________. I would love to connect with you here on LinkedIn.
   Thanks
   Brian

9. I use a combination of tools and websites to try to help me get the recruiter’s email addresses.
   1. A great Chrome extension is SalesQL.  Even if you are not connected to a person, you can browse to their LinkedIn profile and it will attempt to give you their email address and even look up their work email address.

      

   2. Another email finder tool is the GetProspect Chrome extension:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/email-finder-getprospect/bhbcbkonalnjkflmdkdodieehnmmeknp
   3. A website you can use to test if an email address is valid or not is https://mailtester.com/index.php
   4. A website that tries to give you someone’s email address at a company is https://cultivatedculture.com/mailscoop/

10. I look up the company on Google maps to try to get a main phone number I can call in order to get a hold of recruiters.  I call the main number and try to get to the recruiters.  95% of the time it goes to voicemail.  I have a script I use that goes like this:

    
    Hello _______.  This is Brian Converse. I’m calling because I saw a position posted online listed as ____________________. Not sure if you are recruiting for this role but if not I’ll bet you could probably direct me to the right recruiter. I’d love to talk to you about how I can help you all with this job requirement. My phone number is _________.  Again, that is _________. I’ll also follow up with an email and I look forward to hearing what you think.  Thanks a lot. Have a great day. Bye Bye!

11. I then send the recruiter an email with my resume attached.  I have a script I use for that email that goes like this:

    Hello ________,

    I just wanted to follow up on the voice mail I left you about the ___________ position at _________.

    I have applied for this position on your online career site. You’ll see from my attached resume how this position fits perfectly with my extensive experience in _____________________.

    A little about me: I’ve been a ___________________ for many years, and I have a proven ability to _______________________ in fast-paced, challenging, and fast-growing environments.

    Please let me know of some times that are convenient for me to give you a call and discuss the position further. I know your time is valuable and I know this is a big ask coming from a stranger. If it’s too much right now, that’s totally fine! Either way, I hope you’re staying safe and healthy.

    Sincerely,

12. If the recruiter is connected with me on LinkedIn and they haven’t replied to my email, I will take the same email content and put it in a message to them on LinkedIn and attach my resume to that message.

    Sometimes, recruiters have their profiles set up so they accept free Inmail messages from people who are not first level connections.  If we are not connected on LinkedIn, I will attempt to send them an Inmail if it’s free. 

    If you are not 1st level connections but you share a common group with them that you are both a member of, you can go into that group and find them in the members list and then send them a message from there. If you can’t find a group that you share with them, try to find a group you could join that they are in and once you are a member, look them up and send them a message.

13. I check to see if anyone has read my emails using the “Email Tracker” Google Chrome extension.  This helps me know if I got he email address right or not.
      
14. I follow up in a week with a follow up email if I haven’t heard from the recruiters.

At this point I wait.  Not much more I can do.  I’ve applied, I’ve networked, my friends have passed my resume along to them, I’ve left voicemails, I’ve emailed and I’ve sent LinkedIn messages.  What more can I do to try to get their attention other than stopping by their office?  I’m not opposed to doing that either.  I’ve been known to drop off Christmas cards at a company for the hiring manager and recruiter.  It can’t hurt.