Job hunting and requirements

Job Doc

Pattie Hunt Sinacole discusses a candidate’s requirements

Q: I worry about my job search.  It has been awfully quiet over the summer.  I am not having good luck.  Few companies reply to my outreach.  A few nibbles.  I feel like I am overlooked.  I don’t want to use an agency since I have had bad luck with them in the past.  I am looking in Greater Boston area and a company has to offer free parking and flexible hours. Advice?

A: Since we are hitting early September, you are in a desirable situation.  There is often an uptick in hiring after Labor Day. 

Not all professionals land new roles through staffing organizations.  Many professionals land roles because of their professional and personal network.  All agencies are not the same.  There are some who are ethical and successful in introducing candidates to employers.

A few tips:

– Get on LinkedIn and join groups related to your profession.  Also join groups affiliated with any colleges or universities which you may have attended.  There may even be geographic groups that make sense.  There may be professional groups within your town or in Boston that may be of interest. 

– Critique your LinkedIn profile.  A lot of job seekers make the mistake of focusing their resume and LinkedIn profile on the past.  Of course, your past work experience should be included.  But…. You also need to consider the future.  Think about your ideal next job.  Is your resume “speaking” to that role?  Look at key words at job postings which appeal to you.  Does your resume have those specific key words?  Key words are often used by hiring professionals to source and find candidates.    

– Dust off your resume and make sure it is current and easy to read.  Ensure that your LinkedIn address is on your resume and it is free of typos.   

– Begin networking with people in your target industry.  If you are exploring biotech, start connecting (both on LinkedIn and in person) with those working in biotech.  Attend networking events and industry events in your fields of interest.

– Prepare a one-minute elevator pitch.  Your elevator pitch should include a bit about your professional background but also your ideal next step in your career.  Practice your pitch.  Your first draft will not be perfect.  I jokingly often advise that you should pitch your cat first, your dog second, your sibling next, and then your close spouse, partner, friend or colleague.  Edit it as needed.  If you are connecting with a former co-worker who works at a large biotech, include that in your pitch.  “Travis, I am very interested in ABC biotech.  Would you be able to help me consider opportunities there?  Are you happy with the company?”   

– Finally, and most importantly, think about re-evaluating your “must haves” in your search.  Free parking and flexible hours may be limiting your search.  Perhaps drop the free parking requirement and try to focus on flexible hours.  Sometimes flexible hours can be negotiated but think about saving that requirement for a bit.  I often advise “make them love you first” and then ask about requests like flex hours.  I think you can say “Ideally I would like flex hours.”  Making this a rigid requirement may limit your opportunities.

            Good luck in your search.  In my opinion, a strong professional network is the best insurance against unemployment.