Tips to Navigate Job Market Challenges in Canada

🤮🤮 300k tech workers laid off since Jan 2023, >10% in the past 30 days - it's brutal out there... Bringing back some practical advice for facing the job market: 𝗚𝗼 𝗜𝗻 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 - A search could take >6 months - You have less leverage - Competition is much fiercer for posted jobs 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝗯 = 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝗼𝗯 - Maintain a regular schedule - Spend 40+ hrs a week on the hunt - Treat applications like work projects (high effort / quality) - Spend several hours researching / learning about companies before applying 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 (𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶-)𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 - Titles mean very little - Apply --> use process to assess fit - Don't avoid applying because of perceived seniority diff - Best way to make a company want you: crush an interview process, and decline an offer (respectfully) 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 - Activate your relationships - Try to get referred for open jobs - Ask for intros to hiring teams <<< - But don't be pushy 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 - Custom resume + cover letter every time - Cover letter should not be a novel - "Unique" resumes are bad resumes (eg unusual formatting, images, etc.) - Apply to MAX 2-3 roles per company - Submit ASAP, but not at the expense of high quality customization 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 - Know the company's stated goals - Know who the competitors are - Know the company's market advantages - Be able to explain why working there / in that role will advance your career goals - Avoid language like "I'll take anything" or "I'm open to [x] because of the market" 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 - The layoffs aren't done... - Low ratio of open jobs to current employees = BEWARE (eg: 30 jobs / 5000 employees) - Ask about recent budgeting / headcount processes, try to understand the funding direction of the biz - Incumbent businesses (big ones) are facing pressure to become efficient, meaning upstart + growth businesses are good options right now 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 - If you need a job, be willing to industry-switch - Taking a detour out of current industry is generally better than going unemployed 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 - >99% of your applications will not warrant a job offer - >90% of your networking requests will go unanswered - If you accept the two above statements, won't see time and effort as "wasted," or feel like you're failing. You are just in the process of finding the 1% outcome. Remember: you only need to "win" once, and the cycles of applying and interviewing will both better prepare you for future encounters, and also enrich your understanding of the broader market. #layoffs #jobsearching #google #activisionblizzard #paypal #block #okta

Traditional employment paths are becoming tougher to navigate. Here's how to cut through the clutter. 👉 The context? Roles often go to internal candidates or referrals. Over 40% of positions filled internally and networking outweighs direct applications 7:1 in final hiring choices. As an applicant, you'll get lost in robotic Applicant Tracking Systems. As a hiring manager, it's tough to manage the noise. A better approach would involve using contextual data to match candidates' skills/past successes with real corporate needs, focusing on job context and performance-based requirements. Until then, if you're looking for work, navigate the hidden job market with these steps: 1. Clarify Your Brand: Your resume and LinkedIn act as gatekeepers. Keep your resume is concise, achievement-focused, and tailored. LinkedIn should represent your professional identity, highlighting skills, experiences, knowledge. 2. Find Your Voice: Amplify your presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or even TikTok. Share industry insights and original thoughts to boost visibility and establishing expertise. 3. Network: Engage in local events, professional groups, and discussions. Networking is about genuine connections, not just adding contacts. 4. Direct Outreach: Use tools like LinkedIn SalesNavigator, OctopusCRM, Apollo for targeted outreach within your industry or desired companies, expressing interest. 5. Networking Calls: Use them to uncover 'business pain' and align your past achievements to solving these challenges. 6. The Art of Follow-up: Persistently follow up with those who engage, expressing thanks and interest, to maintain momentum. 7. Master the Interview: Learn techniques like STAR and behavioural interviewing to align your experiences with job requirements. 8. Resilience is Key: Expect rejection, including ghosting and offer withdrawals. Stay positive and learn from each setback. Adopting these strategies isn't just about finding a job; it's useful in building a career. Reach out if you need guidance. I will help. What's worked in your job search? Share your strategies.

Headlines: It's a *booming* job market. Reality: This job market is a slog. Especially for experienced job seekers. If it's taking longer than you expected to find a role, you aren't alone. I'm seeing job searches last 6-12+ months. Here are 4 things to consider for your search: 1. Are your career goals realistic? You don’t want to be “underqualified.” You also don’t want to be “overqualified.” Consider the state of your industry/role/field. How many open roles are you seeing? Do you need to change your goals? 2. Is your resume aligned with your career goals? Your resume needs to clearly show you are a fit. You don’t need a fancy format: just the facts (i.e. quantified results with highlighted impacts). 3. Are you leveraging your in-person/online network? Reach out to the right people (decision-makers). Talk with people both in-person and online. Build reciprocal relationships. 4. Is your LinkedIn profile completely filled out? Optimize your profile so that opportunities find you: Complete your Experience and About sections Add up to 100 skills (and align them with target roles) Make sure your Headline is clear Help recruiters find you!!! You don’t want to overreact here. But you do want to adjust things as needed. #ageism #genx #babyboomers #getahead 🔔 Follow Colleen and Ageless Careers for career tips.

I just signed a job offer! I’m excited to share details soon, but for now I want to pass on some lessons learned: 😢 It’s Tough. It’s still a challenging tech job market. I have an amazing network, but it still took me months to get an offer. Early on, it felt like a cruel game of musical chairs, where laid-off employees were chasing a shrinking set of job opportunities. 🫂 Never Search Alone & Find Your Community. #1 tip: check out phyl terry's “Never Search Alone” (link in comments). I wish I had discovered this earlier in my job search process! In addition to my amazing Job Search Council, I’m also blessed to have a community of laid off ex-Google PMs, set up by Rob Leathern, which has been a great source of both camaraderie and practical help. 🎯 Find Your Candidate-Market Fit. Nikhyl Singhal & Shreyas Doshi recommend managing your career like you manage a product…phyl terry brilliantly extends “Product-Market Fit” to “Candidate-Market Fit”, which is the intersection of your skills/experience/wants/needs & what the market wants/needs. ⛙ Pick A Lane. PMs used to be hired as “generalists”…but now most companies/hiring managers want specialists. Even if you “can” do everything, target your search: 1) it helps you tell a concise, compelling story / “elevator pitch” 2) it helps recruiters & hiring managers “pattern match” what they need versus what you offer and 3) it helps your network help you. 🤝 Warm Introductions Beat Cold Referrals. It used to be enough to get into the “referral system”…now, in many cases, you need someone who is willing to advocate on your behalf with the hiring manager. ✋ Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out. If you know someone, they probably want to hear from you. If they’re busy or senior, make it easy for them to help you, but don’t be afraid to reach out. 🎢 Prepare for a Rollercoaster. I’ve imagined myself at dozens of companies, only to be rejected. It’s easy to take rejection personally, but realize that all of these processes are flawed, so dust yourself off & get back out there. 🏆 Wins Are Preceded by Close Losses. Some of the hardest rejections to process are the ones where you just barely missed it—you were the #2 candidate, etc. This advice helped me get through some of the toughest times. ❤️ Help Others. I love how Lenny Rachitsky ends each podcast asking “how can we be helpful to you?”. Not only does this make the world a better place, but I believe in karma. Even if you’re a junior person, you might have some insight or experience that might help out your peers or even those more senior to you. I hope you find this helpful & good luck to everyone searching!

Persistence, Consistency, and Creativity: Thriving in a Tough Job Market (Speaking of persistence and creativity, ChatGPT was down this morning, and Perplexity.ai was helpful 😂) In today's job market, the competition is fierce, and it can be disheartening to see the statistics reflecting the challenges we face. According to LinkedIn's latest employment market report, there has been a 27% year-on-year rise in applications per application. Additionally, the Technology, Information, and Media industry has experienced a significant decline of nearly 40% compared to July 2022, making it one of the hardest-hit sectors. However, it is during these tough times that our true character is revealed. As James Lane Allen wisely said, "Adversity does not build character, it reveals it." Instead of letting these statistics discourage us, let them ignite a fire within us to be better, to push harder, and to rise. Here are some key points to remember and actions to take to navigate the tough job market: 1. Embrace Persistence - Understand that success rarely comes overnight. It takes time, effort, and perseverance. - Keep applying for jobs, even if the competition is fierce. Each application is an opportunity, and you never know when the right opportunity will come knocking. - Network actively and reach out to professionals in your desired field. Building connections can open doors and lead to unexpected opportunities. 2. Maintain ConsistencyDevelop a routine and stick to it. - Consistency in your job search efforts will yield better results over time. - Set achievable goals and break them down into smaller tasks. Celebrate each milestone you reach, no matter how small. - Continuously update and improve your skills. Take online courses, attend webinars, or join professional organizations to stay relevant in your industry. 3. Cultivate Creativity - Think outside the box and explore alternative career paths or industries that may have better prospects. - Showcase your creativity in your job applications and interviews. - Highlight unique experiences, projects, or skills that set you apart from other candidates. - Consider freelancing, consulting, or starting your own business. These options can provide flexibility and opportunities for growth. Remember, it's not about the ease of the journey; it's about the growth and resilience we develop along the way. In my personal experience, seeking help and guidance when I was feeling stuck or overwhelmed played a crucial role in my success. Leveraging coaching at different phases of life allowed me to land a new job, embark on a solo backpacking trip around the world, write a children's book, and even launch my own coaching business. So, let's embrace the challenges, stay persistent, consistent, and creative. Let's use this adversity as an opportunity to reveal our true character and achieve our goals. "Adversity does not build character, it reveals it." - James Lane Allen