How to get noticed in the 2023 job market.
Don't be invisible. Go the extra mile and stand out.
Today’s job market is nuts.
Job postings are getting hundreds of applicants. More virtual jobs are creating more competition. It feels like an uphill battle that can’t be won.
There’s good news though.
You CAN get noticed. You CAN stand out.
Today’s blog is about how to get the attention of Recruiters, hiring managers, and your peers; ultimately leading you to more opportunity.
Let’s get started!
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Too many candidate are doing the bare minimum:
Stitch together a resume
Scroll some job boards
Apply
Pray for a response
Unless you’re super qualified for the job, have a referral, or get lucky, this method just doesn’t work.
To succeed in today’s market you have to go the extra mile. Putting in more effort will boost your success and help you meet the right people. Do more —> get more.
Here are 9 ways you can make this happen:
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Build a value-driven resume. I review thousands of resumes and most of them are forgettable. Make yours better than the rest and you’ll stand out. Here’s a previous blog post that can help:
Design an optimized LinkedIn profile. Most profiles are bland and incomplete. It doesn’t take much to make yours stand out. Here’s a previous blog post that can help:
Engage with content. This is arguably the best way to get on people’s radar and build relationships. I’ve made some amazing friends the past year from all over the world by simply commenting on posts. Genuine, consistent engagement goes a long way. Start with Recruiters, Hiring Managers, or peers that either work in your target role or at your target company. Over time you’ll become a familiar face.
A while back I started engaging with a Recruiting Manager who was putting out some great content. After about 2 weeks I got this message from her. We went back and forth a bit until she offered to interview me for a job (which I didn’t take). This happened because I started a dialogue with her right in the comments section of her content.
One last thought on this … don’t write one liners when you comment on someone’s post (“I’m interested” “agreed” “great post”). Provide some thoughtful dialogue and add value to the conversation!
Post content. You don’t have to be an expert or influencer to share content. Posting every few days can help attract the right people into your circle. In April of 2022 I committed to posting everyday. I had 3,000 followers and next to no influence in the cyber space. 1 year later I have nearly 40,000 followers, tons of new friends, massive professional opportunity, and I’m well known around the world in the infosec community. All because I clicked “share” and didn’t quit (I’m a smalltown kid from Idaho - if I can do it, so can you).
Here are some ideas if you’re lost about what to write about. Just remember, don’t force it, try to have fun, and be yourself.
Share what you learned during a webinar
Share what you learned through a course or self study
Share thoughts from one of your favorite cyber podcasts
Tell us about your home lab
Share what projects or research you’re working on
Share experiences you have during the interview process or job search (wins and losses)
Share interesting work stories
Tag someone who inspires you and say thanks
Share your thoughts about a recent news article
Share some stuff about your personal life that can help or inspire someone
Start a side project or share your technical work on a personal website. Demonstrating your skills shows initiative and proves your value when you apply. Put examples on your resume, LinkedIn profile, or share it when you get an interview. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy either. You could read up on a new zero day or threat actor and write a blog post with your analysis. We live in the information age and you can learn a ton on your own. You just have to try!
Join a group. Start with LinkedIn or do a simple Google search for “online infosec social groups”. Joining a circle can be a great way to start meeting people and find mentorship.
Give shout outs. I don’t recommend tagging random people or doing this consistently. However, if someone shares an interesting post, article, or they announce a new job, there’s nothing wrong with resharing it or adding your thoughts while tagging them.
Here’s an example from my LinkedIn:
Attend local events. In-person networking trumps all other networking. Shaking some hands, grabbing a drink, and socializing with other human beings is where the magic happens. Conferences, meetups, and BSides are a good place to start. It can take some time to figure out where to go, but it’s worth the effort and planning.
Send personalized DM’s. I get thousands of messages on LinkedIn and many of them are generic. “Can you review my resume” “let’s connect” “are you hiring?”. Taking the time to write a good message will boost your response rates and put you ahead of other candidates. Remember, when you contact a Recruiter, mentor, or hiring manager - just know that 100 other people did the same. Here’s a previous blog post that can help:
I hope today’s blog was helpful. If you’re new here you can subscribe below for new content every Friday. In the coming weeks I’ll be interviewing a few job seekers that are having big success so don’t miss out!