Job Search - The Voice of Job Seekers

Job Searching From The Top Down With Luke Whitburn

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This week, Luke Whitburn offers his strategy to not only talk to hiring managers without first submitting a resume but how he builds those relationships to get job offers. Yes, this is networking from the top down. You start with leaders and get referred to the right person. This would be useful to those who are tired of constantly pressing the “apply” button. This advice is for the bold and confident.

You’ll also hear a portion of a conversation I had with Damian Birkel and Sonal Bahl on the live stream show, “The Modern Job Search Checklist.”

You are more than welcome to join the discussion. Here are three ways you can:

– Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number

– Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message

– Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

More about Luke:

Luke Whitburn has been a leader and executive in several staffing organizations in the last 20 years. He and I talk several times a year and often bounce ideas off of me. I have asked him to come on the podcast several times in the last six years because of his unique perspective on the job search. If you’re tired of the “grind” of the application process online, you’ll find lots of value in our conversation.

Conversation highlights:

Luke’s approach, as he explains, is a little bit more aggressive, but it gets results
You can’t take rejection personally
He’s worked and coached people to use this approach–but it works
“I think at the end of the day is a reiterate it’s about stepping up and an approach that’s proactive forward-leaning. This mindset of clicking apply and just waiting you’re going to, you’re going to get so frustrated.”
“It’s having that time to share your story with them and why you like their company and what you’re passionate about, how that aligns with your back. Or aligns with a pivot you’re doing, so that’s my encouragement to everyone.”
Research or “due diligence” is critical.
Luke shares a recent story about he was hired at his latest job

I will publish a transcript of our conversation on Thursday. Join us in two weeks for an extended version of the show.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Be Figureoutable on LinkedIn Before They See Your Profile

This is another job search trend where I continue to dive into one trend and not just a listicle of trends. Networking is hard for so many, but if it were easy, more people would do it. We’ll see how this goes, and I’ll try digging deeper than three lines and a period.

I changed the way I write my profile while noticing my own LinkedIn habits. I want others to know who I am and to check me out before I want to know about them. It’s a large investment of time and curiosity people don’t want to waste. I think recruiters and employers want their time to count, and they process profiles even more judiciously. That’s what they’ll do but in secret.

Whom I connect with is important, and although my philosophy differs from so many other networkers, I, too, want my connections to offer quality. It’s not possible with all on my list, but it is possible with whom I want my content to complement. I want every job seeker to create content from when they write a note to request a connection to produce their own regularly. I know many career professionals will not accept a connection without a note. My thought is, ultimately, how will they learn if I don’t teach them?

The one networking habit most users on LinkedIn will want to know is who you are and your proposed value. Why should they have to go to your profile to understand? When they put their cursor over your name, the intrigue is there, and they want to know more. By not providing it, you are stunting your LinkedIn possibilities and potential opportunities.

The O’Jays song, “Give the People What They Want,” comes to mind.

I could preach all day about filling out the profile completely, but my networking strategy has everything to do with the first impression. There are a few ways to do it before or even without looking at your profile.

Quality comments in two sentences on my connection posts.

Thoughtful comments can be long or short, but I keep them short most of the time on regular posts. It is possible to be thoughtful, compelling, and serve in two or three sentences most of the time. People seem to engage brevity, especially when most users are commenting long-form, and sometimes, longer comments can be useless.

Below is what I do and what has worked for me. You don’t have to do what I do, but I found them sound strategies for me. You find your sweet spot and keep showing up the way you want and tweak along the way.

Compel a peek at your profile.

Responding to comments on my posts.

Brevity is important here, but I am grateful someone takes the time to post, and I want it to come across that way. Many in my tribe are so thoughtful when they post.

I have a wonderful “tribe” on LinkedIn who provide so much value in their posts to help job seekers. Their thoughtful comments provide inspiration and positive provocative insight sometimes bringing me back to writing an update to what I’ve written. There were also times my mind was changed just by a short sentence or two. It helps when there are more than a few who want to be a resource, and also help you to be a better resource.

Everyone should have a “tribe” of professionals who vary in thought, but want to provide value for their network and perhaps, the world on LinkedIn.

Kind and useful LinkedIn comments on 2nd and 3rd connection posts.

Since I usually don’t know the person, I’m commenting to invites a connection. Even here, I’m intentionally brief mostly, and it often ends up in a connection request with a note. My goal is to offer more value to everyone, but a genuine first impression provides a pathway to an interactive relationship.

Most of the time, respond to those who wrote a note.

I use a short one or two-sentence response to let them know I am not using the auto-respond messages. It’s a small way to show you’re thoughtful and personable. Mention how you found them whether they were referred, you saw them on your “People viewed also,” or your homepage.

I like it when someone says, “Thank you for connecting.” If you get a lot of requests, it’s difficult to respond to everyone. But, if someone writes a thoughtful and meaningful note to connect, it’s worth the time to respond in some way.

Not everyone who writes a note is deserves connection or access.

I do say “no” to those who emphasize selling in their headlines (especially those who help entrepreneurs get to seven figures in the podcast) or anything similar. Furthermore, I delete connection requests with notices that say they want to know more about what I do. Arrgh! I couldn’t be clearer in my messaging and LinkedIn profile. Must we do this dance? No.

I also ignore those who see a clearly written headline and complete profile sending a connection notice that says, “I want to know more about you and your business. Here’s my calendar link to set up a virtual coffee.” No.

What gets a “yes” is, “I am intrigued by the article you wrote, the podcast interview, the comment you made on this thread. This inform my thoughts about XXXXX. Could I talk to you more about it?”

Thoughtful posts or updates

When I started writing mini-articles in my posts, my engagement skyrocketed and 3x-4x connection requests. But they also enacted many Zoom call invites for tea and great conversations. I try to be personable without being personal. I also try to throw a few lyrics from songs or compelling analogies. I update with far more useful and practical tips than offering up my accomplishments.

People who are helpful win the day. If you’re not sure what to post, start with the question, “How can I be helpful?” Start with liking and commenting, but graduate to posting your thoughts and perspective. I know many users are afraid of being wrong or controversial. If your perspective is meaningful, then don’t post it as authoritative. Post it as a first-hand witness to things you repeatedly see.

Linkedin live streams

I do two or more a week with experts I really respect (Jack Kelly and Damian Birkel). These conversations spark other offline conversations or provide the basis for additional networking with viewers.

I know LinkedIn users may take these opportunities for granted, but I found these strategies effective. Networking is naturally hard for me, but it energizes my long-term business efforts. If your net is truly working, you’ll find these small changes to your strategy will stimulate and attract quality connections on LinkedIn.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

The One Job Search Strategy for Perpetual Career Advancement

I had great mentors during my career, and three of them were bosses, and all of them were women. They leveraged their position to help position me to advance my career. Not only were they meaningful teachers of what they shared with me, but were also practitioners of what they taught me. One of them taught me a significant job search and career strategy you’ll want to use from now on.

One of my mentors and bosses was Eileen, who, from the day she became my boss, assured me she would prepare me to take her position when she moved. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, but her preparation took me to the next step. To this day, there was one thing she told me I wanted to share with you. It aligns with my mantra of job search being a lifestyle.

I shared with Fast Company several months ago (reprinted by The Ladders) that Eileen told me once no matter how well or not so well things were going in her current job or career, she interviewed once a year with another company. I thought that was crazy at the time, but I remembered it but did NOT practice at the time. But it did come in handy later in my career, especially as I shared this advice with past clients and job seekers over the years.

Many of you are still fighting the idea of managing your career closer than you have in the past. Here are the benefits you’re missing:

Unless you are actively involved in an industry organization (and every job has its industry), interviewing is the only you’ll find out how the landscape is changing. Today, most industries and jobs evolve because of tech upgrades, making things easier, faster, bigger, or stronger. You may think that you work the cash register, yet you’re in the retail or department stores industry if you work at Best Buy. You can start by checking the list of organizations at Job Stars. By default, you may consider joining a customer service organization (or name a logical association with your profession) such as the National Customer Service Association.
Job interviewing is a skill, and there are trends constantly changing in all industries. You’ve heard much about video interviews are becoming a staple in screening applicants and job candidates before meeting with a decision-maker. You probably didn’t know some industries use panel interviews and require the candidate to engage in more than five rounds of interviews. Those are important if the last time you’ve interviewed was two years ago.
Your ability to adapt will be tested either by the process itself or within the interviewing process through questioning. If you fail to articulate your challenges during the pandemic through trials or transition, you may not resonate with a company that has endured multiple challenges from the beginning.
Interviewing more often will challenge your knowledge of emerging technology. Companies prefer someone who is tech-ready from day one. Others may train you, but it helps to know what’s trending. You can decide if you need to invest in updated training or add value to your current employer by mentioning what the industry is using. They may ask you to make suggestions. There’s no need for me to tell you what that means to every employer.
Interviewing each year could increase your network when you are getting referrals if you’re thoughtful in creating great conversations. Let’s say you don’t get a job offer from the company you meet with, but you ask them to connect with you on LinkedIn. By maintaining that relationship opens many possibilities to get other referrals or interview again at a better time when you’re a better fit.
You’ll get used to customizing your storytelling abilities to each employer. No one tells a story, a joke, anecdote the same way each time. As you understand the industry at large, you’ll appreciate each interview will listen for a resonating narrative.
Industry terminology also changes, like the direction of the wind. I’m sure if I told you to “cool out,” you’ll think I’m a Cro-Magnon man. Similarly, if you use a term, you think it sounds like you’re knowledgeable, and it isn’t changing the way an interviewer sees you.

The more frequently you interview while you’re employed, the better you’ll prepare yourself for when it’s time to change jobs or careers. I didn’t discuss in this article how this practice can help you bring more value to your current company or provide you with additional intrinsic motivation. You can also decide if there is a future in the industry and decide it’s time to explore other options. Over time, you control the pivots and advances and are caught unready for economic or sector crashes.