Time-saving strategies for a faster job search

No, it is not possible to book an interview. But "applying" feels relatively passive and as if all power is in someone elses hands. Compared with a salesperson: They do not call and "apply" to meet a new customer. Instead, they call to book a meeting. Then, of course, they do not always succeed. But there is an essential difference in attitude. When you intend to "apply", you often take on a passive role and adapt too much.

If you start thinking "book", you are reminded that it is an active role where you need to be driving.

Another key to success is understanding the process "on the other side". For example, how do you get hired by the organization you are applying to? By understanding this, you can more easily drive the process forward, understand why you sometimes have to wait, and see how you can "go past the queue".

Okay, so the employers process may vary, and you need to adapt to it. But how should you steer the process forward yourself? 

Time after time, weve seen that when you maintain that basic structure, things go better. You can follow this process for each organization on your wish list and each job you are interested in. Whether its an advertised job or a job that you hear about on social media or that one of your contacts tells about.

1. Research. It may sound heavy, but it is crucial. Partly so that you know if the job is right for you. Somewhat because you give a better impression when you move on, an hour of focused research can make you realize that the job is wrong and you do not have to spend more time on it. At the same time, it can be crucial to understand the organization and the role so much that you can immediately give a credible impression and move forward in the process.
2. Initial contact. Here you introduce yourself and at the same time find out even more information. You would like to make a good impression early on so your interest is clear and your name is already a little known. At the same time, the initial contact gives you additional information to sharpen your formal application.
3. Formal application. In some cases, the employer does not ask for a formal application. And that, of course, can be pretty okay. But you still need to make it very clear that you are interested and want to have a concrete discussion. Sometimes the application is a response to an advertisement. Sometimes it is a spontaneous application to an organization that is not currently looking for anyone. Sometimes it is a formalization of a more informal contact you already have.
4. Continued communication. The employer will have its process. It can include interviews, tests, work samples, meetings with future colleagues, reference taking, and more. From your perspective, the important thing here is to keep the communication open, try to find out where their process is and how you can help them further. And, of course, constantly continue to strengthen the image of yourself.

Make sure you have the basics in place.

You do not always need a CV to get a new job. Sometimes it is enough that you get to the right person and give a good impression. But you do not know this in advance, so we still recommend that you make sure you have the basics in place. If a job appears that you want and a CV is required, it should not be an obstacle. Working with a CV is also a way to become more straightforward with yourself and better describe your experiences and skills.

Make a strong application.

When you apply for a job, you need to send a CV and cover letter. You also need to submit a portfolio for certain types of creative work. However, there is a big difference between an okay application and a perfect one. An OK application usually ends up in the bin, while a good one may open the door for you to come and introduce yourself.

To do:

• The basis of a CV is that you can adjust it to the job you are looking for. You will find our guide on how to write a CV here.
• The basis for a cover letter that you can be inspired by when you write new for the specific job you are looking for. Our guide to writing a cover letter can be found here.
• The basis for a portfolio that you can adjust to the job you are looking for (for you with a creative profession where you need to show examples of previous employment). We review and provide feedback on your portfolio here.

Make your message clear before meetings and interviews

It is crucial to be prepared when you have managed to get an interview for the job you want. The focus is on ensuring that the job is right for you and presenting your messages to understand that you are suitable for the job.

To do:

• 3 arguments for why you should get the job
• 3 questions to ask the employer so you know the job is right for you

Secure your references

The references are provided late during the recruitment process when the employer/recruiter asks for them. Your references can determine whether you get a job or not, so it is wise to be prepared for the question of references and have prepared the people you want to leave them. 

To do:

Generate 3 references…

• that are prepared to be contacted
• that you already know what they are going to say about you 

Research

When no position is advertised, you have a strong advantage: Low competition. The moment a service goes public, hundreds will apply for it. On the other hand, of course, you can not know if there is a job or not.

The key to success is to do good research about the organization and be as focused as possible when you make further contact.

Initial contact

When the position is not advertised, the initial contact is most important. It would help if you put yourself on the map, so to speak. The right people need to know that you exist. You can do this in different ways:

• Write on LinkedIn or send an email. Tell very briefly about yourself and suggest a conversation or a meeting.
• Ask someone you know who has contacts within the organization to introduce you. It could be someone who works there today or someone who has worked there before. The person you meet does not necessarily have to be a manager or someone recruiting. It can be anyone who will be your first meeting and give you more information and maybe, in turn, can take you on to the right person.
• Call to make the first contact and book a slightly longer meeting.
• Be creative! Create a campaign to get your name in front of the eyes of the right person. For example, one person made ads on LinkedIn that was only shown to people in the managerial position of the company he wanted to join. Another person made ads that were shown to all the people in the company, with the text "Do you know Per" (Per was the boss he wanted to meet).
• Visit the places that people you want to reach are at. It can be events, conferences, network meetings. It works best in areas that have nothing to do with recruitment. The more natural the context, the better. Where do the boss and your future colleagues usually go after work?

When you get in touch, be genuinely curious. Ask questions, be interested, show that you are familiar.

Formal application

When you do not know if there is a job or not, a formal application is usually called a spontaneous application. It does not differ very much from an application for an advertised position. But one thing is more important than ever: Be extremely clear about why you are applying to them. Of course, you always have to do that in all applications, but it is even more crucial in a spontaneous application.

Continued communication

Seize the opportunity. When no job is advertised, it means that the employer is not overwhelmed by applicants. Maybe its just you whos heard from you for a while. Of course, this does not mean that the door is open, in many cases you will be referred to HR or follow them on the web or other channels. But try to convey your message. Be sensitive, but still not afraid to ask if you can visit to have a coffee or about what it looks like in the future. Ask when it may be relevant to bring in someone with your skills. And when you should hear from them again, or what you can do to help them in the process.

Research

If the employer contacted you or found each other at an event or via social media, you have already had a dialogue. Then you probably know a lot about the organization and what opportunities there may be. So, of course, you should use it! But, at the same time, you must take it further and spend some time finding out more information more systematically. Everything you hear during more informal conversations must be confirmed and deepened. That position you talked about, do others work with it as of today? Those challenges you have heard about, what do they mean? And the positive image you got, does it match reality?

Initial contact

You have already had contact. But now its about starting to concretize. What you talked about a bit loosely on Facebook or over a cup of coffee, what could it mean in practice? Call, write or meet up to make the loose talk more tangible. What sounded so good? Was it just talk, or are they interested in moving on? Are you?

Formal application

You do not always have to make a formal application. However, it is still important to take the process further to formal issues for your own sake. Sooner or later, a decision will have to be made, and if you do not come to a concrete application, maybe there will never be a substantial offer either. So remember: You have to take the process further.

Continued communication

Once you have started to concretize a position, the dialogue must continue. Did you have a good time when you were first met for coffee or lunch? Then make sure that it does not die now that you have become more concrete and formal. Continue to have a dialogue, continue to be curious and engaged.

Research

If a recruiter handles the positions recruitment at the employer, but you know who the employer is, then the research is the same as if you were to apply directly to the employer. On the other hand, it is unknown who the employer is, it can be more difficult. To make the most of your process, you need to have as good control as possible.

You have to be a detective for a while. To begin with, it is always good to call and talk to the recruitment company. In many cases, they can leave their clients name on the phone or at least give some clues. Clues may include industry, size, how big the department is, where the office is located. There are lots of questions you can ask to sneak a little. Sometimes you will understand exactly which organization it is.

If you get minimal information, you have to start from what you know. For example, you may understand that it is a bank, but not which one. Then you can make your research a little broader: What is it like to work at a bank? What is the difference between the big banks? Where is the industry heading?

Initial contact

The positions that are advertised are the ones that get the most applicants. Of course, the number of applicants depends on the position, but hundreds of applicants are common for many positions. This, of course, means that recruiters like to be a little restrictive with contact. Their interest is to reduce the contact, partly because they do not have too much to do, partly because they want to make a correct selection, partly because they want it to be fair and therefore do not want to disclose information only to certain applicants. The initial contact can therefore be a little more complicated.

Your interest is still to establish contact. Try to make a call. Feel free to ask for clarifications about the service, but be specific and ask relevant questions. Avoid questions that you should have the answers to yourself.

Formal application

Because advertised jobs are the positions with the most competition, it is more important than ever to tip your application. 

A usual recruitment process can have 100 applicants, of which 3 are selected for interview. You need to be one of the 3. And to get there, you need to knock out 97 others along the way. The vast majority of applicants for the position will also be quite similar. They will have about the same education, they will have worked for about the same amount of time with about the same things. Simply because it says in the ad and most people do as it says.

Think about which position you want to include in your application. Is it your experience that should stand out and be better than the competition? Is it a specific experience? Is it a combination of experiences, which you think the others lack? Is it your personality that makes you the best candidate?

Continued communication

As with the initial contact, continued communication can be challenging because the employer limits it. Imagine yourself: 100 applicants, all of whom hear from you. The only reasonable way to handle it is to be restrictive in the communication and information you provide. And even here, there can be formal obstacles - because decisions have not yet been made, you may not be allowed to disclose anything that can be perceived as positive or negative. You have to be neutral.

Nonetheless, you need to follow up and move the process forward.