The dos and don’ts of job hunting
By: Maryna Nazarian
Tags: Job Search, Motivation Letters, Job Hunting, Career Change, Success

In this article, I will share the things that, if done right, will become a game-changer in your job search.

How do I know about landing great job offers? Simple. I wrote hundreds of motivation letters and CVs for myself and other people and filled out hundreds of job applications. I’ve seen what is working and what is not. Approximately 95% of my applications received a callback. So here is what you should know:

1. Send out at least a dozen applications a week. Not one per month, not even one per week, but one-two per day. Do you want that job or not? You have to really go for it. Do your research, pin several firms you would like to work for, select several positions at each firm that are of interest to you, and apply, apply, apply. First of all, not all the firms will answer; some might have the position already filled or might have several candidates already at the final stages of interviews. Then, some firms might eventually offer a lower salary than what you would expect. And some interviews, you are probably going to mess up; this is life, anything can happen — a bad day, an asshole interviewer, or you might not be experienced enough for the role. The moral of the story — the more you apply, the higher your chances are to get a perfect role/salary/time-until-hired ratio.

In different professions, the job opportunities are varied, and there might not be so many options around. In this case, network, socialize with the people in the field, go to the job fairs or the open door days to your desired employer, get as much information about the hiring requirements as you can, in other words, act every single day, be out there! I have seen countless people who used this situation (having limited employers for their specific field) to do nothing, literally nothing, or do nothing + whine about “how hard it is.” THAT will NOT get you a job for sure. Building up your portfolio, attending conferences, relevant events, and educating yourself about the role and the field will.

2. Save your dream companies for later. The first couple of applications/interviews are for practice purposes. Most people are too afraid/ashamed to fail, so as a result, they are so scared to apply. Frankly, there is no reason for that. Failing an interview is a valuable experience! As long as you learn from it. Yes, you failed and made a fool of yourself! But! You now have an idea about the type of questions they ask and about the interview atmosphere. Also, the more times you get humiliated, the higher your resistance becomes. In other words, you will be significantly less nervous next time, which means a calmer state of mind and better performance. It is not he to whom everything is easy who deserves admiration, but he who failed and dared to try again and again. Theodore Roosevelt said in his famous speech, “Citizenship in a Republic” in 1910:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Remember what Uncle Teddy said, kids.

3. If a recruiter finds you in social networks and offers an interview — do it! Yes, even if you’re not looking for a job right now. First of all, it is an excellent way to practice and keep your knowledge fresh and up-to-date. Let’s be honest, in our day-to-day jobs; we are mostly doing very specific things that do not necessarily permit us to keep all the profession’s basics fresh at the top of our heads. Secondly, it is a fantastic way to estimate your market value and get an idea of what your employer’s competitors will offer to have you and your expertise on board. Perhaps it is time to ask your boss for a raise? Or, on the contrary, stop whining and feeling underpaid. And finally, losing opportunities, especially when they come your way so willingly, is just silly. I know quite a few examples of people opportunistically going for an interview and landing on jobs that doubled their pay.

4. DO NOT use a generic motivation letter for different positions. I know we humans are lazy, but you can’t have an omelet without actually breaking the egg. Each position has a precise description, and each firm is looking not only for a professional but also a personality match. Your motivation letter must answer very accurately the points highlighted in the position description. For example, suppose the job description states that they are looking for a team player who is knowledgeable in computer science to be responsible for the infrastructure development project. In that case, the motivation letter should state that you have successful experience of working in a team, provide a specific example, and on top of that explain that infrastructure development is exactly something you are looking for because of a related project you worked on at a previous workplace/at the university which (even if not directly involved it) made you realize how important it is in general, as well as how fascinating it is for you, and how you can use your already existing skills (enlist the specific skills!) to build up even more expertise in this project. It should always be about particular examples, emphasis on the value you can bring, and proof that you are willing and EXTREMELY interested to develop professionally in this direction. I will repeat for the bazillion’s time: be specific! Don’t just say, “Oh, I am sooooo extremely interested!” say, “I am extremely interested BECAUSE of A), B), C), etc..”

5. When it comes to a CV: keep it short. Nobody cares you took singing lessons in 5th grade, so cut out the irrelevant bullshit. If you are applying for a job at an American company, try to fit it on 1 page and not add a photo. Some workplaces consider it unprofessional. A more extensive CV with a photo is acceptable for a European workplace, but I would still recommend limiting it to 1 page. Imagine hundreds of CVs HR receives! Nobody is going to have time to read your autobiography in 5 volumes. They want to see you have relevant education and work experience, perhaps 2–3 interesting points, and a “cherry on top” if you have one (for example, an award, an exciting project you’ve accomplished, or an exotic international experience). Even though a photo is acceptable in the European format, it is my personal opinion that a CV should speak about you as a professional, highlighting the experiences that prove to the hiring manager/HR that you will be a good fit for the job. The way you look has nothing to do with it and might be taken as an attempt to influence a hiring decision.

To sum it up, be hard-working, be specific, and to the point, embrace your failures, and learn, learn, learn. Good luck!