The number one question I've been answering lately is this:
How do I stand out when every job posting has hundreds of people applying?
With so many people looking for jobs, trying to stand out from the crowd on LinkedIn is a challenge. You're competing with hundreds of people for every job. In fact if it's an entry-level job the competition could be in the thousands. So what can you do?
One of the best solutions? Spend less time on LinkedIn.
Don't get me wrong, LinkedIn is where a lot of jobs get posted so I don't suggest ignoring it. But you can increase your job search chances by also looking in other directions.
Look at the other big job boards: LinkedIn is not the only job site out there. Expand your search to include other sites that may be less crowded. The obvious options include places like Indeed, CareerBuilder, SimplyHired, and Google Jobs.
Look for community job boards: Are there Slack or Discord communities for your profession? These communities often include a #jobs channel, and these are a treasure trove for job seekers. Roles are posted here by people already working for the companies who are looking, so you have an immediate connection you can reach out to for questions and to make a personal contact. They may refer you, which is a quick way to jump the line with your application.
Network, network, network: Use the power of your network to connect with new opportunities — you may learn about opportunities before they're even posted, or you may find someone who can refer you to an open role. If you're not sure how to get started, try connecting with school alumni, attending industry events, and attending job fairs and networking events. Volunteering at industry conferences is a great way to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time.
Connect with recruiters: I always recommend that my clients nurture relationships with 3 or 4 recruiters, not just for their current job search but for future searches too. Have any recruiters reached out to you in the past few years? Circle back to them now and let them know you're looking for work. Tell them what type of roles and companies you'd be a great fit for. You're making their jobs easier, because they spend every day looking for the perfect talent to fill new roles.
Spread the word: Tell everyone you know that you're looking for work, and what types of work are a good fit. Tell family, friends, former coworkers..tell everyone! You never know where your next opportunity might come from.
There you go, five ways to go beyond LinkedIn in your job search. This is just the tip of the iceberg too — cast a wide net! Keep using LinkedIn, but don't rely on LinkedIn.
The job market is crowded right now, but companies are still hiring. Give yourself the best chance of finding your next perfect role by trying new approaches and looking in new areas. Rather than being one of thousands looking in one place, try being one of the few looking in others. Good luck!
Corbet Fawcett is a career coach who helps professionals tackle challenging job searches and land roles they (finally!) love. Struggling to stand out in your own job search? Sign up for a free cover letter template.
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