8-Step Actionable Process to easily Land your Dream Job in 2024

Starting a job search can feel like stepping into a maze, especially with that fear of rejection hanging over you. 

But you know what? Letting go of that fear is like permitting yourself to chase after what you truly want. You're not alone—we're right here, cheering you on as you take those first steps toward your dream job.

In today’s edition, we will talk about

• 8-step process to improve your job search game 

• How Jason Shen became a product manager at Etsy with 2 biology degrees

• Featured tools to make your job search process easier

8-step process to ace your job search game 

Step 1: Identify your Target Roles and Target Companies 

The process to Find Target Roles

Self-Assessment: Take a deep dive into what you're good at and what you love doing. Reflect on your skills, strengths, and passions. Consider the projects or tasks in your previous experiences that you enjoyed the most. 

Research: Scout job descriptions and industry news to get a sense of what's out there. Look beyond job titles; focus on the tasks, skills, and responsibilities listed. Also, don't forget what excites you.

Networking: Chat with people in your field. Share your strengths and interests. Ask them what roles they think would suit you based on your skills. 

Process to Find Target Companies

Industry Research: Explore different industries related to your target roles. Check out what's happening in these sectors. Are there any particular industries that resonate with you more than others?

Company Values and Culture: Think about what kind of environment you thrive in. Do you prefer a laid-back startup vibe or a more structured corporate culture? Look into companies that match your work style and values.

Network Insights: Reach out to your connections and seek advice. Ask them about companies known for nurturing growth in your desired roles. Personal recommendations can be golden!

Step 2: Use AI to customize your Cover Letter & Resume 

Customizing your cover letter and resume manually for every job you’re applying for will be a time-consuming and mentally exhausting process. It can push you into burnout really quickly.

But writing your entire resume and cover letter using ChatGPT and copy-pasting it word to word is a big no-no. 

So here’s how to use AI the right way: 

1. Use Job-Search Specific AI tools. Here are some of our favorites - 

2. Start with research about the role and the values of the company. Write down 5-6 points about how you’re a great fit for the role and the company.  

3. Make sure you’re editing it in your style and tone.

4. Avoid over-relying on AI, neglecting proofreading, and lack of customisation. 

Here is a ChatGPT prompt for writing a cover letter, (You can copy and paste it right away): 

These instructions will better guide the AI in generating a cover letter tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Step 3: Optimize your social media profiles 

Getting your social media profiles on point, especially starting with LinkedIn, isn't just about filling out forms. It's about showing the world who you are, and what you're awesome at, and connecting with the right folks. 

Here’s how you can use social media to your benefit: 

 1. LinkedIn Optimization for Personal Branding

a. Profile Completeness: Begin by ensuring your profile is complete with accurate and up-to-date information: professional headline, summary, work experience, education, skills, and a professional photo.

b. Storytelling & Branding: Craft a compelling summary that encapsulates your professional journey, skills, and aspirations. Focus on storytelling to make it engaging and reflective of your personal brand.

c. Keywords and SEO: Incorporate relevant keywords in your profile that resonate with your industry, skills, and career aspirations. This optimization enhances visibility when recruiters or employers search for specific talents.

2. Learning in Public

a. Transparency and Learning Process: Embrace the concept of "learning in public" by openly sharing your learning journey, including challenges, failures, and successes. This transparency can resonate with others and foster a sense of relatability.

b. Documenting Progress: Share insights, lessons learned, and progress updates regularly. Whether it's through articles, videos, or posts, documenting your journey demonstrates authenticity and dedication.

c. Building a Community: Encourage discussions, ask for feedback, and engage with your audience. Building in public involves creating a community around your learning journey, fostering collaboration and support.

3. Creating an Online Portfolio

a. Showcase Work and Projects: Develop an online portfolio that highlights your best work, projects, case studies, or achievements. Use multimedia elements like images, videos, or presentations to make it visually appealing and informative.

b.Testimonials and Recommendations: Incorporate testimonials, endorsements, or recommendations to add credibility to your portfolio. These endorsements serve as social proof of your skills and capabilities.

c. Continuous Updates: Regularly update your portfolio with new projects, skills, or accomplishments to keep it current and reflective of your professional growth.

Step 4: Reach out to previous employers & managers 

1. Define Your Intentions: Before reaching out, establish your purpose. Are you seeking a reference, exploring job opportunities, networking, or seeking feedback? Clarity on your objectives shapes your approach.

2. Preparation Is Key: Recall your contributions and achievements from your previous stint with the employer. Having specific instances or projects in mind helps steer the conversation.

3. Crafting Your Outreach: Personalize your communication for each individual. Highlight a positive memory or a project you worked on together. Keep your message focused and to the point. Express your intentions without overwhelming them with unnecessary details or information overload.

Step 5: Upskilling During the Job Search Process

During a job search, learning new skills is a fantastic idea. It helps match what employers are looking for and where your skills currently stand.

1. Identify Industry Trends: Research current industry trends and skills in demand. Look at job descriptions for the roles you're targeting to identify skill gaps.

2. Self-Assessment: Evaluate your existing skills and areas that need improvement. This self-awareness helps target your upskilling efforts effectively.

By checking job descriptions for roles you want and seeing what's missing in your skill set, you'll know exactly where to focus your efforts for improvement.

Step 6: Apply   

Once you've compiled your target roles and companies, it's time to take action and apply for openings across various platforms:

General Job Search

Recruit.net 

Remote Job Opportunities

Recruit.net Remote

Startup Jobs

Wellfound

Y Combinator

Internships

WayUp

Step 7: Follow Ups  

Follow-up emails play a crucial role in staying on the radar of recruiters:

Follow-Up Template:

Note: Ensure a gap of three days between the first and second follow-up, and five days before the third and final follow-up.

This approach emphasizes proactive application, personalized outreach, and strategic follow-ups, maximizing your chances of landing your desired role.

Step 8: Stay Organized 

When you're on the job hunt, staying organized is like having your game plan all set up. Keep track of applications, interviews, and contacts in one place—preferably a spreadsheet or an app—to stay on top of things.

Prioritize the jobs you're most excited about, jot down important dates, and keep a record of every application and conversation. Also, set reminders for follow-ups or interviews using your calendar.

And remember, keep things tidy! Regularly clean up your job search system by removing old or irrelevant stuff. This keeps everything focused and ready for new opportunities.

How Jason Shen became a product manager at Etsy with 2 biology degrees

Think outside the box 

In his Ted Talk Jason Shen talks about how only 25% of people have the same jobs as their college major. For example - Journalism majors become journalists and engineering majors become engineers.