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Thanks to social media, tech job hunters are inundated with advice that promises to optimize the search process and achieve better results. The challenge is figuring out whether the advice found on social media and online discussion forums is worth following or inherently bad.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which advice seems to be accurate and applicable to your situation. But to give you a hand, here are some examples of frequently shared job search advice you should definitely follow… and others you should definitely ignore.
Best Advice to Follow
Use AI to Optimize Your Search
You’ve probably heard that job seekers who target specific companies and submit high-quality applications tend to secure employment more efficiently than those who apply haphazardly.
While that’s good advice, aligning your resume with a specific job description has been time consuming… until now.
The introduction of chatbots and AI tools has made the process of researching a company, tailoring your resume to showcase skills and experiences that meet their needs and even finding well-suited job opportunities much easier, said Jeff Altman, a career and job search coach known as “The Big Game Hunter.”
In fact, a recent survey confirms that job seekers are increasingly turning to AI tools to streamline their job search, making them a competitive “must have.”
Using a chatbot like ChatGPT can help you shift your focus from casting a wide net to zeroing in on ideal opportunities and demonstrating your alignment, Altman added.
While you’re at it, note that using AI tools to simulate technical interviews can help you hone your answers, convey your strengths and boost your confidence. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but you won’t get better without it.
Always Be Negotiating
Heeding this advice can put money back in your pocket.
What most people fail to realize is that the process of negotiating a job offer starts with the first conversation with a prospective employer. To level the playing field, you need to mimic their approach.
The employer is looking to tie you down by asking about your salary expectations from the beginning, Altman explained.
You should respond by saying that even though you’ve read the job description, you need to learn more about the role and expectations before discussing salary. If pressed, state that you reserve the right to request a higher salary when you learn more. That way, you are essentially negotiating from the start and setting the stage for a more successful outcome.
Skip the Line
Don’t worry about bypassing recruiters, advised Melanie Wexler, career coach and job search strategist. Their job is to fill a job with the best possible candidate, regardless of the source.
Moreover, companies create referral programs and talent communities to garner interest from qualified candidates. If the proverbial door is open, feel free to go in.
CIOs and tech managers want to hear from professionals who are interested in working for their company, Wexler added, so it’s perfectly acceptable to contact them directly about opportunities that are available now or in the near future.
Advice to Ignore
Don’t Bother Applying Unless You Meet All the Requirements
This is bad advice, especially in tech, where the ability to learn new technologies and skills, mesh with the team, and generate results goes farther than skills on a resume.
The reality is that most job descriptions are wish lists. In fact, some studies suggest that matching 50 percent of the key requirements (the ones at the top of the job posting) can be as effective as matching 90 percent or more, especially if you have an internal connection.
If You Don’t Hear Back After Applying, Move On
In most situations, following up just once is not only justified—it can put you on an employer’s proverbial radar in a big way. Let the recruiter or hiring manager know why you are interested and why you believe you’re the right fit.
By actively soliciting feedback, you at least gain an understanding of what you need to do differently in the future. If you don’t hear back after following up, then it’s time to move on.
First Degree Connections Matter More than Others
The idea that first-degree connections (people you have connected with) and current colleagues are the only viable resources for networking is patently false.
Don’t overlook family and friends, former co-workers you haven’t kept up with or even second- and third-degree connections on LinkedIn. They can expand your network and introduce you to new contacts and opportunities.
The goal of networking is to get your resume into human hands, and that comes from asking people you know (and the people they know) for information, advice and maybe even job leads and referrals.
Creating a Robust Profile will Attract Recruiters
Relying solely on this advice can lead to disappointing results, said Alan Kirshner, career coach and CEO of Kirshner Coaching Solutions.
Having a complete profile is only the beginning. To consistently garner the attention of recruiters and hiring managers, you need to be active on LinkedIn and nurture a strong professional brand, Kirshner said.
Doing small things like sharing content and interacting with tech thought leaders will enhance your visibility and help your profile come up higher in search results.
Don’t Bother Networking
Some online advice discourages networking and disputes the widely held theory that up to 80 percent of jobs are filled by referred candidates.
While exact figures vary, surveys from actual employers conclude that referred candidates are more likely to receive an offer and be hired than candidates without an introduction.
It makes sense that a referred candidate has a better chance of having their resume reviewed by a human, and that’s a critical first step in landing an interview.