Three Practices to Land a Job Interview Without an Application
Utilize your network and skills to find the jobs that aren’t even posted yet.
Jobs are notoriously difficult to get these days. Job seekers are finally landing entry-level roles after hundreds of applications. In today’s market there is no universal equation to landing a position. The best job seekers can hope for are anecdotal experiences that they can learn from and apply to their situation. I’m no job-hunting genius, but these three skill sets allowed me to land my first entry-level job without initially coming across an application.
1. Networking
According to Investopedia, networking is defined as “the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest…” Based on its definition, networking doesn’t seem like the most daunting task. How exciting would it be to talk about common interests among a group of people who share a similar or different perspective than you? Somehow it feels like networking can easily be distorted to become solely based on a goal rather than a connection. I gained the position I have because a connection within my network found out about a potential opening and decided to reach out based on my qualifications.
I never networked with the sole intention of job-hunting, but rather because I took networking and made it something personal. I made a friend. Just like with anything in life, you have different levels of friendship. Some people are confidantes, while others run in similar circles with you. Your connections won’t necessarily be as close as the people you socialize with in your free time, but they should be people you genuinely want to get to know better in a professional sense.
When networking with people, don’t focus on the goal of what you can gain from them. You need to focus on developing a group of people that you enjoy being around and can learn from, personally or professionally. As you develop, you can ask each other questions and get to know each other better. Just like any relationship, it’ll grow with time and always remember that effort must be mutual for it to work.
2. Skill Set Development
You wouldn’t be presented with an opportunity if you weren’t ready for it. It may not play out how you picture in your head, or you might not even feel remotely prepared, but the opportunity to start growing is a blessing in itself. With all that being said, opportunities won’t be there if you don’t prepare yourself. Start diversifying your skill set and find things you’re interested in with 2 approaches:
Job then Skill: If you are a future-oriented and know what it is you want to be working on, start looking up job descriptions with that specific title at companies you are interested in. Next, gain the skills necessary to meet/exceed those requirements.
Skill then Job: If your mindset is more in the present, find specific skills that interest you and start developing them from the ground up while looking for opportunities that cater to those passions.
Talking about specific skills/jobs is a great way to ease into conversation that doesn’t feel forced or awkward. Either way, make sure you develop a balance between hard and soft skills. This will ensure you can properly convey your ideas with poise, but also have the knowledge to execute them when the time comes.
3. Interview Preparation
You’ve probably heard the saying that interviews go both ways. The employer is looking to see if you are a good fit for their company, while you are seeing if the employer is a good fit for your professional goals. When interviewing, don’t give them what you think they want to hear. Make sure in both resume and interview you are using the XYZ formula. This means demonstrating that you accomplished X, measured by Y, by doing Z. For example, I grew profits by 50% by developing and implementing an integrated marketing campaign. It shows your skillset in a quantifiable way, but, most importantly, allows you to start building a conversation. When you have the opportunity to start conversing with your recruiter(s), you can show more of your personality.
The reason companies interview you before sending out applications is because you were recommended at the hands of a mutual connection or colleague. That person who recommended you also felt a genuine connection, whether it was based on skills, personality, or interests. Before going into an interview, evaluate your relationship with that person and see what may have made you stand out to the point they’d recommend you for the job. If they have time to talk, ask them directly about your best and worst traits in a conversation or email. You want to make sure to bring your best qualities to the interview, because, most likely, that is what your employer is looking for. You also want to give yourself the opportunity to foresee potential challenges and room for improvement as you continue to expand.
Professional development is a long road. The hardest part is getting your foot in the door. Leveraging your connections, when appropriate, to set yourself apart is a great way to start your career in a meaningful way, just don’t forget to pay it back when you make it big someday!
Leave a comment below if you have any questions or advice for job seekers.
