How To Get A Job Interview In One Week

How To Get A Job Interview In One Week

If I wanted to get a job interview within one week, here’s what I would do as a 20-year career coaching veteran who has helped thousands of people get new, better-paying jobs.

Step-By-Step Guide: How To Get A Job Interview In 1 Week!

The first thing I would do is find 10 jobs for which I am 100% qualified and a good fit. Not overqualified or underqualified—100% qualified. It would take me a little while to research jobs on various job boards that fit that criteria, but once I do, I would not apply on the job boards.

The second thing I would do is find the companies’ career pages and make sure those jobs really exist because there are a lot of fake/bogus jobs on job boards. So go over to the actual careers page for each company you’re thinking about applying to and make sure that the job posting is there and it’s open and active.

Once I do that, I would apply directly on each company’s career page, but only because when I get an interview, they’re going to need my information in the system. So I’m not applying through the career pages thinking I’m getting job interviews from them. I’m applying because I’m preparing myself for when I actually get the interview.

When I apply for those 10 jobs, I would fill in every field in the job applications because I know that some of these applicant tracking systems (ATS) can make you less of a match for the job if you skip or don’t fill in a field.

After I’ve applied through the career pages, I would move on to the real work that would help me stand out and get that job interview. I would write up a short connection story about why I think each company is amazing. And it’s not because I think they have the greatest benefits or I heard they’re a good place to work. I want to talk about what I nerd out on or what I care about as it relates to their business. How do I know that what they do, what they sell, is really fantastic? Where did I learn that in my own life?

This connection story is my secret sauce for when I reach out and connect with people at each company because when you tell a good connection story and you can tell someone who already works there why you think their company is so amazing and can give that custom reason why, you stand out. You are going that extra step and making yourself come alive to that person.

Once I’ve written a connection story for each company I’m applying to, I would research people who work at those companies, and not the recruiter or HR manager. I would try to find the hiring manager. I would try to find people who work in the department I’d be working in, who have job titles I want to have. Ideally, I would find five people at each company to connect with, and then I would send each person a custom connection request on LinkedIn. I would say something like, “Hey! Can we connect? I’d love to share a quick story about why your company’s so amazing.” Not every person will connect with me, but many will.

For those who do, I would then message them my connection story. Here’s an example:

“Thank you! Here’s the story of why I think your company is amazing. (Insert your connection story.) P.S. I’m so inspired by your company that I just applied for your XYZ job. I would be so grateful if you gave me your one best tip for standing out in the hiring process.”

Notice I’m not asking them to introduce me to the hiring manager or put in a good word for me. I am asking them for their expertise—their one top tip for standing out. People love to give advice after you’ve just complimented the company sincerely. They can message you back the advice, but you know what else happens? They look at your LinkedIn profile, and sometimes they forward you to the hiring manager.

I help people every day inside Work It DAILY get interviews by back-channeling (the technique I shared above). It really works. You’re going to get rejected through the online application, but by sharing your connection story on LinkedIn, you’ll stand out to hiring managers no matter how much competition there is for the position you want.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

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4 Ways To Keep Your Job Search Going During The Summer

4 Ways To Keep Your Job Search Going During The Summer

Every season is job search season if you want it bad enough. However, there are some that view summer as a time of rest and ease up on their job searches. That’s the last thing you should do!

Sure, you should take time to relax and go on vacation—just don’t abandon your job search goals completely. Here are four ways to keep your job search on track, while still enjoying your summer:

Update Your Resume & LinkedIn Profile

Young professional on laptop works on her job search while enjoying the summer weather

A new season is a time for renewal, so it’s important to make sure your resume and LinkedIn profile are current and up to date with projects, contributions, and achievements. Summer is a great time for reflecting on the work you have done over recent months and leveraging those accomplishments to have a results-driven resume and LinkedIn profile.

While your resume takes precedence, you should still give your LinkedIn profile a good look because it’s public and is viewable by a greater geographic population. Do not underestimate the power of LinkedIn for your job search potential.

Attend Networking Events

Group of people at a networking event during the summer

Summer is a great time to be more social. Attend professional events, go to business happy hours, and ramp up your networking opportunities. Connect with old colleagues over lunch outdoors in casual attire, and seek out the potential for informational interviews at companies. Since things are more casual and laid back in the summertime, ramp up the opportunities and seize them.

If you can’t attend any in-person networking events, there are still ample opportunities to network online!

Refocus Your Strategy By Volunteering

A businessman volunteers at a local food pantry while looking for a job

The beautiful summer weather is great motivation for engaging in new volunteer and community service opportunities. Consider the potential for making new connections and adding volunteer projects to your resume and LinkedIn profile that you are already updating during the summertime.

Remember, summer days are longer. Use your time wisely, and to your benefit!

Re-Evaluate And Reach Out

Spend the summer re-evaluating your current role. What skills are you developing in your current role? What skills do you want to build upon? Consider reaching out to recruiters or your professional network, people who can help bring your next role to fruition. LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with recruiters and seeing if new projects or opportunities are available to expand your skills.

Don’t let the summer weather be a distraction or setback for you. Focus on reclaiming your brand, take a break or a vacation, and regroup on where you would like to go next in your career. Remember one important thing: the year is already halfway over, so it’s important to seize the moment and the opportunity.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.