The Hierarchy of Landing Your Next Great Career Opportunity

At any given time in your professional life, there are only a handful of companies that you would enthusiastically want to work for – where there is an alignment on values, goals, culture, impact, leadership style, and so on. (Please re-read that sentence.)

The question to ask yourself then is this: “What is the most effective way to land my target role at one of these select companies.” 

While there are many ways to secure employment, below are three of the primary ways of landing your next great career opportunity at your target company, and the characteristics of each method. It’s a framework I use with my clients who find it helpful for thinking through where to spend their time, attention, and energy.

🤞 What most people do – apply online, cross your fingers, and hope for the best

What this takes: pressing a few buttons i.e. attach, submit.

Why you do this: It’s easy (sometimes) and encouraged by employers.

What this says about you:  1.) You’re a stranger (If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be applying online), and 2.) you’re being reactive and responding only to publicly posted positions – when nearly all jobs are available.

Ask yourself this: “Do I have confidence that the people/technology reviewing my resume can determine the value I would provide to my target employer? Or are they bots looking for key words only?”

🤝 What some people do – Network Your Way In

What this takes: Research, time, and energy commitment to develop relationships with people at your target employer

Why you do this: 1.) You recognize the importance of relationships (networking) in opening the door to opportunities (interviews), and 2.) You want access to the hidden job market.

What this says about you: 1.) You understand that familiarity reduces uncertainty in the hiring process, and 2.) you’re proactive and intentional.

Ask yourself this: “Which is better for landing an interview – a great resume only, or a great resume AND a relationship with someone at my target company?”

🔎 What few people do – GET RECRUITED

What this takes: Doing exceptional work, building your unique brand, being visible online and in-person, and tastefully promoting your work, ideas, and yourself, among other things.

Why you do this: You understand that when your target company pursues you, YOU HAVE LEVERAGE. 

What this says about you: You are intentional, strategic, and stand out.

Ask yourself this: “Do I want my target employer to pursue me because they know who I am and what I offer, or do I want to pursue my target employer and try to convince them of whom I am and what I have to offer?”

Because there are so few companies you’d enthusiastically want to work for, developing a job search strategy that increases the chances of securing employment at your target employers is critical. If there are only a handful of companies you’d want to work for at any given time, every action you take is momentous.

While each method highlighted above can be incorporated into your job search strategy, I strongly believe that networking your way in, and getting recruited, should be the overwhelmingly focus of your strategy. These methods are more intentional and proactive, and provide you a greater sense of agency.

🗝 Bottom line: When it comes to landing your next greater career opportunity at your target employer, not all activities are equally effective. Think critically about how you are going to spend your precious time, attention, and energy. Your future, happily employed self will thank you.

For information about job openings, visit: https://www.leonardworkforcesolutions.com/openings

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For information about 1:1 career development services, visit: https://www.leonardworkforcesolutions.com/careerdevelopment

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[This article was originally published on LinkedIn on 9/12/22: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hierarchy-landing-your-next-great-career-opportunity-leonard-mhrm/?trackingId=9tCEuf37SdK64efyN%2BgI7w%3D%3D]