How to Get Noticed in a Competitive Market Like Silicon Valley
Posted March 1st, 2018
When you need to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates, it’s critical that you handle your job search properly. Often, this involves going beyond the traditional approach of submitting your resume to announced vacancies. Instead, you need to manage your job search in a manner that more closely resembles what it is, a marketing campaign.
If you are wondering how to get noticed in a competitive market like Silicon Valley, here are some tips to get you started.
Work Your Network
Often, your network is one of your most powerful tools when you are seeking out new job opportunities. They function as personal connections to vacancies and may help you locate positions that aren’t being advertised publicly.
For this approach to work, you need to let your network know that you are interested in hearing about opportunities. Depending on whether or not you are currently employed, this declaration can be made publicly or quietly. Give them an idea of what you are hoping to find and see if they know of any job possibilities. And, if they provide you with a lead or referral, make sure to thank them for their assistance.
Reach Out to Employers
As mentioned above, not every job opening is posted publicly. When this happens, the only way you’ll find out about a vacancy is to ask.
Generally, this means reaching out to potential employers to see if there might be an open position that would suit you. You can do this either by locating contact information for possible hiring managers, reaching out to company recruiters, or contacting the human resources department.
Request Informational Interviews
Sometimes, you’ll be able to locate a person who is currently working in your ideal position. When that happens, consider reaching out and requesting an informational interview.
An informational interview is effectively a conversation where you discuss the person’s career and role. Along the way, you can ask how they got into their line of work and even how they landed their job.
In the end, you can have valuable information about to secure a position yourself and may have a chance to add the person to your network. In some cases, you can even learn about job opportunities or obtain a referral.
Work with a Reputable Staffing Firm
Many companies entrust their hiring activities to staffing firms. It allows them to find high-quality candidates with greater ease, making it a preferred approach for many leading businesses.
In some cases, companies do all of their hiring through recruitment agencies, so reach out to a reputable staffing firm as you search for a new job can give you the chance to learn about vacancies that won’t be available through any other channel.
If you’re looking for new opportunities, the professionals at Bayside Solutions can connect you with some of the area’s leading companies. Contact us today to see how our services can help you secure a coveted position in Silicon Valley.