Your job search strategy

I applied to 50 jobs just to prove a point…

And is what happened:

👀 6 spam texts from random people, emails, and fake companies offering me "flexible work" on the spot.
👀 5 immediate automated rejections.
👀 3 replies saying that the job was no longer valid.
👀 42 unanswered applications.

Not one interview.

Did you know that you’re not only up against other people applying because they’re interested or qualified, but companies are paying people to apply for jobs? See for yourself.

Each role’s applicant pool is filled with 1000’s of resumes.

What are the chances that a recruiter will see yours?

Unless they’re using AI tools (yes, they’re actually a good thing when it comes to this volume)!

Here’s what you can control:

How you show up, how you communicate, your search, and your attitude.

Only you know what you want and what is going to make you happy.

Try this: get out a spreadsheet, and add your titles, like this:

Step 1: Find 10-15 companies today that look interesting to you, that you’re eager to learn more about, that you can picture yourself working at. Add them to your spreadsheet.

Step 2: Use ChatGPT to minimize your time spent researching by using the prompts above, add the data to your spreadsheet.

Step 3: Use LinkedIn to find the person you’d most likely report to, add their LinkedIn profile link to your spreadsheet, and send a connection request, like this:

NAME - I’m very interested in the INDUSTRY (pull from your chat - About prompt) and have been following COMPANY. Would love to connect.

OR if you share common connections:

NAME - I see we have several connections in common, and I’m always looking to expand my network. Would love to connect.

Step 4: If the company has a main office or a location you can work out of, call them directly.

Step 5: Get a Loom account if you don’t already have one. It’s free for recordings under five minutes. I have no affiliation with Loom, just a long-time, happy user.

Get familiar with Loom, and with LinkedIn Video Messaging. If you haven’t tried this before, go to your messages app and find someone you know well (just in case) 🙂 Feel free to use me for this experiment, I won’t judge if you send it by accident!

Practice recording videos on the LinkedIn message app - when the hiring managers connect with you, you’ll send a direct message this way or via Loom.

I did this process with 11 companies, and here’s what happened:

✅ Talked to 6 people, got their direct emails and built rapport over the phone
✅ Sent my resume to those 6 people
✅ Heard back from 5 that the timing is off, but they’re interested in continuing the conversation for future growth
✅ Left 4 voicemails
✅ Landed 3 interviews for jobs that are NOT live.

If a company wants to hire you they will find a way.

I like my odds with cold outreach (11:3) much better than mindlessly applying and putting my fate in someone else’s hands (50:0).

How about you?

That’s all for this week.
Happy Hunting!

How to Work With Me:

🚀 Learn: guides and courses for any stage of the job hunt that you’re in:

• Job Search: Strategize Your Job Search

  • Approach your job search systematically and strategically. Say goodbye to applying to submitting hundreds of applications 👋

• Interviewing: IMPROView

  • Learn to be unforgettable in interviews to land the job you want.

• Offer Negotiations: Culture Shock: Salary Negotiations

  • Check out this☝🏼 newsletter about negotiating your salary, and learn strategies to get recruiters to fight for you.

👩🏽‍💻1:1 coaching: I’ll work with you on interview prep, job search strategy, and interview role play. Book time with me here. 

⭐️ Audits: Tired of applying to jobs and want hiring teams to come to you? Grab your LinkedIn Audit here. 

❤️ Ashley

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