Creating a Job That Doesn't Exist w/ Aaron Harmon, Sr. Recruiter
Tags: career, job
Published: 2024-05-23 19:05:15

Any dad advice going from one kid to two kids? Because that’s happening now in 6 weeks!! But for real, if anyone has gone from one to two give me your best advice because I’m all ears! While you’re thinking about that, I want to give you some updates from Gun.io. This is not going to become a Gun.io newsletter don’t worry BUT we’ve been COOKIN as the kids say over here so I want to give you an update on what we got going on…

- We basically redid our entire platform to where the main view is you searching our entire database of thousands of engineers. Think LinkedIn Recruiter but within our database. It’s pretty sweet and it allows hiring managers to start to budget/see what’s out there. Already had a lot of folks in my network say they like the look/feel of it. 
- This is for DEVELOPERS - we have opened up our entire platform to where you can submit to any open jobs that you feel like is a fit! You have to have your profile 100% complete and TBH we’re very picky about this because this is how we match you with jobs. But if you haven’t made a profile you might as well go ahead and do it. Make sure you select me on marketing attribution :) 
- We JUST rolled out an AI feature (yes eye roll more AI). It’s a very simple feature but it allows you to copy/paste your job description into our filter and then it automatically spits out candidates that are a fit for your JD. Here’s the kicker…your job description better not suck. Just sayin’.
 

Anywho, had a great convo with my guy Aaron Harmon, former Tesla recruiter, on how he found a job in 4 weeks with this market…hint…it was because of content :) There’s no way I’m going to get through all of it here, [so go check it out](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OazvYmvdtzU). Bonus: there’s corgis (that’s right, plural).

I always love bringing guests on for y’all who have recently been on the job search because even if you aren’t looking right now, odds are you will be at some point down the road. And I think it’s important to be prepared but also to get a look at what works for other people. Here’s the short version of what has been working for Aaron post layoff:

File for unemployment. It’s there as a net for when you need it. You need it, so use it. Not to mention that the process isn’t exactly quick… better to get a head start.

Updating your LinkedIn to be “Open to Work” Speaking of things that get some mixed feelings, adding that little green banner to your profile is just there to make your life easier, use it. Or at least throw up a post that you’re looking.

Accept the help. If someone offers you help, they won’t be put out because you actually take them up on it. Check your ego, take the help.

Start posting. Hey look, I said exactly what you thought I was going to say. BUT Aaron had a great perspective on this: it’s an opportunity to share your background and your capabilities how you want them to be shared, not just some line on a resume a stranger is reading.

So you’ve now applied to tons of jobs… hundreds of your applications are floating around out there, but you haven’t found the right fit. Here’s the thing— you have to make it a priority to understand why a position is open and make an intentional effort to research and understand what the company really needs. Aka, now we’re getting into the title of this newsletter.

When I started at Gun.io, the position they had open was for sales. Now I’m not saying that’s not part of what I do, BUT I researched the company and saw that their marketing and online presence could benefit from all the things I’m good at and love doing. So should I have just seen the only open sales position and moved on? Nah, sometimes you have to create your own job. Know your own worth and present yourself as a solution.

That being said, you really have to lean on your network and be willing to send out some DMs. Aaron had some great DM advice: keep it direct and match the tone of the person you’re messaging. Do your research and look at how they post before you pop off with an incredibly formal or informal message.

This convo with Aaron has so many more great nuggets of info. I don’t think I even began to cover it all. OH he also mentioned that he used (not sponsored…) Teal to keep track of his job search metrics. If you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear more from you. Always love hearing about new products.