Job Search Referral Strategies for Non-Technical Roles

Leveraging Connections: How Relationships Lead to Opportunities  You’ve applied to your dream job, but haven’t heard back. With hundreds of applicants per opening, how do you get your resume noticed? As a recruiter, I’ve seen mediocre resumes get selected through employee referrals. The secret is strategic networking to build relationships that lead to endorsements. Here are tips for getting connected: - Attend industry events and seek out warm introductions to company insiders. A familiar contact expedites visibility. - Join professional associations and engage with members at target employers via forums and social media. Become known. - Volunteer for nonprofits connected to the company. Giving back grabs goodwill and gets you on radars. - Follow and provide value to recruiters and hiring managers through insightful comments. Become a known asset. - Ask trusted contacts to submit your resume directly if possible. Referrals often lead straight to interviews. With an expanded professional network and nurtured relationships, you can open previously closed doors. Don't just apply anonymously and cross your fingers. Strategically build community and social capital to access hidden opportunities. I'm happy to share more relationship-building tips to land your dream role! #SocialCapital #RelationshipBuilding #DreamJob #JobSearchTips #Referrals #EmployeeReferrals #GettingHired #LandYourDreamJob #TapYourNetwork #LeverageConnections #WarmIntroductions #HiddenJobMarket #JobHunting #HiringInsights #RecruiterTips #CareerGoals #CareerDevelopment Copy Retry

The job market has changed. What worked a few years ago doesn't work anymore. If you've been job searching for 3+ months with no real results? You need a new system. And if you want to win in today's market? That system better be focused on networking and referrals. Here's how we do it with our clients: 1. Make a list of 15 target companies These are companies you should intentionally choose because they align with your values, growth trajectory, and ideal culture. 2. Research the heck out of your target companies. Listen to earnings calls, read articles, find interviews with execs, & survey customers. 3. Use LinkedIn to find contacts who can refer you into your target role. Aim for someone who might be the hiring manager or a peer if you were hired. Find 150 contacts minimum (10 people at each company). 4. Use a tool like Mailscoop to find the emails for your contacts. Reach out to them and set up a conversation. Use the conversation to learn about things like: • Their team’s biggest challenge • Current initiatives • Goals for the next 12 months 5. Combine the info from your research and conversations to create a Value Validation Project (VVP). Think of a VVP as a pitch deck where you provide solutions to a problem, ideas around an initiative, or help with a challenge. It should be relevant and aligned to the work you’d be doing in that new role. 6. Send the VVP back to the contacts you had convos with and ask if those solutions aligned with their expectations for X role. 7. Rinse, repeat, and watch the referrals flow in!

I do a lot of resume reviews. I offer everyone in my job search support group a free review and I'm always happy to help a job seeker out. But, after doing 100s of reviews, here is something I've noticed: Most challenges in a job search are not about the resume.  They're about the job search strategy. Most folks have a strategy that looks like this: 1. Update resume 2. Apply to jobs 3. Update resume some more 4. Apply to more jobs 5. Rinse and repeat And, while this strategy can work (Yes!  People still get jobs applying cold!), it can also often lead to a very long, arduous process of spinning your wheels and not making the traction you want. Here's how to be more strategic (and get more out of LinkedIn!) : 1️⃣ Start by identifying your target companies. Aim for a list of around 30 organizations that align with your career goals and aspirations. Note: This list can be edited at any time along the journey as you discover new and interesting companies. 2️⃣ Leverage your network on LinkedIn. Identify alumni, first, and second-degree connections at each of your target companies. These connections can be valuable sources of information and insights. 3️⃣ Reach out to your connections. Politely ask for their insights into the company and any tips on positioning yourself effectively for a role in the future.  You can do this by asking for a coffee chat, or through a DM conversation. Their firsthand knowledge can provide you with a competitive advantage. 4️⃣ Get clear on what you want.   When applying for positions, prioritize opportunities that are in line with your values and align with your interests. This focused approach will increase your chances of finding a meaningful and fulfilling role. 5️⃣ Reach back out. Once you've applied, don't hesitate to reach out to your contacts and inform them about your application. Use this opportunity to highlight your skills and qualifications, 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 pitching yourself as a top candidate. By adopting this strategic approach, you'll notice a shift in the way opportunities come your way. The result? More interviews and a greater likelihood of landing your dream job! -------------------------- P.S. I have a Resume + Job Search support group here on LinkedIn that is open to all jobseekers!  If you're looking for extra support from me and the over 300 job seekers in the group, please join us!  We'd love to have you!  Link in comments!