I've been here for over 10 years, I am not sure what's the best way to hunt for jobs nowadays? Any tips would be appreciated? What companies are hiring?
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Sorry for all the typos. Big thumbs. Psa: do not use your phone to write to prospective connections or employers :)
Same writer as last comment: I have used and been happy with https://www.topresume.com
No- I don’t work for them, I promise. But they did help me with the resume that led me to a non-entry level position at 2u (along with my 100% taking advantage of every offer for networking I could find - including reaching out on linked in to someone I hadn’t worked or been in contact with for 10 years - and asking for a convo with which then led to a convo with an exec at 2u. Ask anyone who entered any company at a Director + level - and they will tell you it all started with networking).
Start meeting with people for informational interviews immediately. Take advantage of all the current and former 2u employees offering their network and to make intros. Everyone here has a built in network even if you aren’t directly “connected” on linked in. Just search 2u on linked in and you will see TONS of folks offering support. Submitting an app/resume without a connection first is VERY unlikely to get you a role - or at least the roi on your time and effort is limited. If you need to, do auto linked in applies to companies you would NEVER want to work for (in an industry you would never want to work for) to continue with o qualify for unemployment- but don’t expect it to get you a job anywhere you really want to be. Also- connections in an organization - even if they have no power in to influence you getting a job- can tell you if the website/requiring line about “company culture” is real or not. Personally, I don’t ever plan to apply to a role where I haven’t talked to anyone who works outside of recruiting first. And really - do NOT think that bc someone is not your “connection” now they cannot become one. In addition to all the support offered by current and former 2u people on linked in- people at the manager+ level at any org are often totally okay with a cold outreach and ask for 15-30 mins of their time to learn more about their experience/how they got where they are/any advice for someone looking to move into that industry. Someone typically did the same for them and they are often excited to pay it forward as long as you aren’t asking them to actually hire you (informational- remember?). If there is a position in their company open, mention you are thinking of applying and most will at least let you in use them as a “referral” like we do at 2u. An intro through your (growing) network is always preferred - but don’t be afraid to at least reach out. What’s the worst that could happen? You stroke someone’s ego a bit by asking for their advice and insight and they will turn you down? Who cares? Honestly, beyond entry level positions - these kind of conversations pay off WAY more than just submitting apps. Use what’s being offered. And, it’s totally worth it to spend a little of your severance money to have someone professionally created you a new resume (often about $150). Organizations that do that know how to write a resume to get past the bots, and especially if you are changing industries. The time you spend stressing out about putting you resume together will have a much better roi spent with networking (once you have a resume you are confident in). If you are able to invest extra - some will even make recommendations for updates to your linked in profile. While you can ask a colleague to review a resume/profile- you typically can’t ask one to actually build you one from the ground up. Just in the stress it relieves (and the acceleration of your job search) it is 100% worth it- even if you are understandably concerned about money. Trust - it will pay for itself.
Get your LinkedIn profile and resume refreshed. If you don't know where to start, tons of the folks laid off were career people who may be willing to help you. Set up a base cover letter where you have some core paragraphs that don't change with a couple paragraphs that will be company/job specific when you go to apply. Don't think one resume is enough; if you are applying to jobs in different industries, you may want multiple resumes each of which highlights the stuff specific to that industry.
Network. Post online. Get connections who can help.
LinkedIn worked for me, tons of jobs there.
Glassdoor and Indeed are good too.
If you are in tech/IT Dice still works.
Post on social media as well, people will respond, sometimes companies contact you directly.