We are all familiar with the standard job searching tips: update your resume, create a LinkedIn profile, prepare a cover letter, and apply for a job. It's all great, and you should certainly do it.
But what happens when you do all that and still…nothing happenes?
Interview invitations never arrive, and you are already considering putting your plan B into action and enrolling in a soap-making course...
Don't panic yet.
Today, I will reveal some lesser-known job search strategies that could be that secret ingredient you're missing. Unlike regular tips, these techniques are more subtle but yield big results if you know how to apply them.
In this post, we will be discussing about:
Strategy #1: Be Careful Who You Bother
Do you know the feeling when you receive a message from a stranger advertising something you don’t care about?
That’s how recruiters feel when you message them and ask for something that has nothing to do with what they’re looking for.
Try this better tactic: choose a few key companies you’d like to work for and actively follow their latest posts.
For example: Follow the managers of that company on LinkedIn, like their posts, and – stay with me now – comment with something meaningful and useful. Show them that you know their business and that you understand their struggles. Nobody likes dull emails. But when you become someone who can showcase value, people start noticing you way before you send your resume.
How does this help? People like to work with those who understand them. When you show interest in the company’s problems and challenges instead of immediately positioning yourself as a candidate, they see you as part of the solution.
Strategy #2: Develop Your Marketplace
We all have a network of people that can be crutial for the next opportunity.
I am not referring to LinkedIn only. Often the most crucial people come from the most unexpected places: your gym, favorite cafe, or even parents with whom you chat while waiting for your kids in front of school.
For that reason, the strategy is to let everyone know that you are looking for a job, regardless of whether they seem unrelated to your profession at first glance.
How does this help? Friends of friends are everywhere. Your gym buddy might know someone who is just looking for a new team member. If no one knows you are looking for a job, don't be surprised that no one wants to recommend you.
Strategy #3: Reverse Roles
Let’s reverse roles: instead of looking for a job, imagine that your job is to find the perfect candidate for your position.
What would you write in that job posting?
What would be the title?
What skills would that person have?
What results do you expect to achieve in the first six months?
This is a classic trick for changing the perspective. When you put yourself in recruiters’ shoes, you see your resume and LinkedIn profile through totally different lenses. You’d see your flaws easily and what’s in your favor.
How does this help? This is not just an abstract game. When you know what employers want from you, it’s easier to make a better story about yourself both on paper (i.e. resume, LinkedIn, and motivation letter) and in a job interview.
Strategy #4: Freelancing/Volunteering as Bait
If you have been looking for a job for some time with no results still - it is time to change your tactics. Freelance jobs or volunteer projects can open the door to a permanent position, and here's why: employers love "test drives".
Start a mini-project for somebody from your industry - even for free at the start - it can be the best way to show how much you’re worth. And you know what? When people see how much impact you make on their work, they will be quick to remember you when a new position opens up.
How does this help? A company rarely turns down an opportunity to have someone solve their problem without any long-term commitment. Freelance projects allow you to secure a subtle entry into the company and show that you're worth a lot more than they originally thought.
Strategy #5: Make Content: Become an Expert in the Eyes of Employers
This is especially useful for anyone working in the creative and technology industries. Employers aren't just hiring you for your skills, they're hiring you for your ideas. Well, if you're not showing your ideas online, you're missing out on a huge potential.
Create a blog, YouTube channel, or series of LinkedIn posts where you share advice, analysis, or experiences from your industry. This sounds scary to many, but your opinion is valuable. You don't have to be an expert with 20 years of experience, it is enough to share useful insights and you will quickly build authority.
How does this help? People like to hire those who already have solutions to their problems. When you create content, you not only attract attention but also open the door to conversations with those who are looking for someone just like you.
Those slightly more courageous candidates already have their website. A great example is Srđan, an SEO expert who made sure that the Minuta do posa website was optimized for Google search. Take a look at his site.
Instead of Conclusion
Most people look for jobs through the old, established system. They wait for someone to give them a chance. But you, having reached the end of this text, know that there is a smarter way. These strategies are less well-known but powerful. They allow you to position yourself differently from the crowd and create opportunities for yourself where others do not even see them.
So, it's time to get out of the "waiting to be called" phase and take control. These tactics require little effort, and the results will be great.
These are just a few of the tactics that get results, and I know at least 12 more.
But here's the thing - one tactic doesn't always work for everyone. It all depends on your level of experience, the industry you work in, the position you are aiming for, or even the specific niche you are in. Each strategy must be adapted to you.
That's why I invite you to schedule a consultation, where in 90 minutes we will discuss in detail which strategies can bring you the best results. The price is €150 (don't worry, you can pay it in two installments), and in addition to the consultation, you will also receive homework because, as we know, practice works wonders!
And of course, it doesn't end there: I have also prepared surprise bonuses, but I won't reveal them to you in advance.
I don't want everyone to get the same gift because what suits you doesn’t mean it would be suitable for someone else. Perhaps a detailed review of your CV will help you the most, or maybe you’d appreciate getting feedback on your LinkedIn strategy or the first post you plan to publish.
If you want a personalized strategy that really works for you, sign up for a consultation, I will be waiting for you 🙂
