The job market in 2024 is more competitive than ever. With rapid tech advancements and a global talent pool, standing out to employers requires more than just a polished résumé and a firm handshake. Traditional job search methods are becoming less effective, and job seekers need to adopt new strategies to reach their career goals.

Applying to as many jobs as possible is not effective. Hiring managers and recruiters have to sift through a larger pool of applicants, especially in a down market.

The average job opening receives approximately 250 resumes. Of those 250 applicants, only 4-6 will even get an interview.

So, assuming you’re qualified, there’s only a 2% chance your online application will lead to an interview.

So what still works in this market? Here are some non-obvious tactics to help you navigate and succeed in today's challenging job landscape.

1. Build a Value-Driven Personal Brand

Your online presence is often the first impression you make on potential employers. Beyond just updating your LinkedIn profile, consider creating content that showcases your expertise and adds value to your industry. Write articles, start a podcast, or produce videos that address common challenges in your field.

Demonstrating your skills through tangible projects is a great way to stand out. By building a portfolio of work that highlights your abilities, you make it easier for employers to see the value you bring.

When I first created CoverDoc, I was solving a problem for myself as a job seeker looking for Product Management leadership roles. Initially my goal was to stand out as a job seeker and have a good story to tell in interviews. 

By building my own product I could show potential employers how I approach product management and go-to-market strategy with a real-life example. Many hiring managers told me this initiative put me ahead of other job seekers with more traditional application materials.

2. Identify your Candidate-Market Fit

In tech, the concept of Product-Market Fit is a well-known framework that can also apply to your job search. Candidate-Market Fit is a concept developed by Phyl Terry, CEO of Collaborative Gain. The idea is to come up with a simple statement that captures your short-term career goals with what the market wants. This will help clarify the types of companies / roles you’re targeting and will help your network suggest better opportunities to you.

CMF Examples:

• Find a Director of Marketing role in a medium-sized private company backed by VCs

• Find a VP of Product role at a mission-oriented AI startup that values inclusion and responsible AI

• Find a financial analyst role at a large publicly traded company with an overseas presence

Make sure your LinkedIn profile and resume are consistent with your CMF statement.

3. Develop a job search strategy

Before going deep into your search, come up with a plan based on where you need the most help. Perhaps you have a great online presence but you’re lacking a skill that’s in demand in your field. In this case you would spend more time upskilling than updating your online profiles and portfolio.

Here’s an example of a tool I used to map opportunities to specific tactics that should move me closer to the goal of landing a job. 

Opportunity Solution Tree example:

4. Proactive Skills Showcase Projects

Instead of just submitting a generic application, create a project that solves a real problem for the company you're targeting. This approach, advocated by Austin Belcak, involves identifying challenges a company is facing and presenting a solution upfront.

For example, if you're applying for a marketing role, you might develop a mini marketing campaign tailored to the company's needs. UX design candidates could sign up for the company’s product and suggest improvements to their user onboarding flow.

This not only demonstrates your proactive mindset but also provides concrete proof of your capabilities. CoverDoc will soon suggest initiatives to work on based on challenges faced by your target company as expressed in the job description or recent news articles. 

You don’t need to give them full solutions to the challenge you chose. The work product can be a teaser that highlights core principles and what you’re capable of without giving them too much detail on what you would do if hired

When should you invest time in a skills showcase project?

• When the opportunity matches your personal career goals and the project is something you genuinely want to work on. Remember it’s not all about the target company - there needs to be alignment with your personal career trajectory.

• When you’ve exhausted all other tactics to get the attention of the hiring manager or team

• When you’ve done some due diligence to make sure the company won’t just take your idea and run with it.

Yes - this is a lot of effort - so only invest the time for the shorter list of target companies. In extreme cases there is some risk in this tactic if the company takes your idea and implements it without hiring you.

5. Conduct Informational Interviews with a Twist

While informational interviews are a well-known networking tactic, take it a step further by offering something in return. When reaching out to professionals, propose a skill exchange or offer insights from your own expertise. This reciprocal approach makes it more likely that they'll invest time in the conversation. Additionally, it fosters a relationship built on mutual benefit, which can open doors to unadvertised opportunities.

6. Engage in Micro-Networking Events

Large networking events can be overwhelming and impersonal. Instead, focus on micro-networking opportunities such as small workshops, webinars, or niche industry meetups. These settings allow for deeper connections with professionals who share your interests. Engaging meaningfully in these environments can lead to referrals and insider information about job openings.

7. Conduct In-Depth Company Research

While company hiring teams are prepared to discuss your relevant work experience, it is good practice to reciprocate through learning about their organization and needs they are looking to address.

AI can streamline this research for you by finding and summarizing:

• podcast interviews with executives

• CEO media appearances

• product demos

• customer reviews

• competitors

Imagine you’re applying for a job at HarperCollins.

Example ChatGPT prompt to expedite company research:

“Act as a job seeker applying for a job at HarperCollins Publishers. Your job is to identify the CEO and find recent quotes from the CEO about the company's strategy, financial performance, products and customers. The quotes can be pulled from podcasts, news articles or other media interviews.”

ChatGPT Response:

“Current CEO: Brian Murray is the President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers. He has been instrumental in guiding the company through a period of significant transformation and growth."

Recent Quotes from Brian Murray:

On Financial Performance and Strategy: Murray has acknowledged that HarperCollins had to make some difficult decisions, including layoffs and restructuring, to improve efficiency and align with market demands. He expressed satisfaction with the company's financial performance in fiscal 2024, noting a 6% increase in sales and a 61% rise in EBITDA, driven by growth in digital formats, particularly audiobooks. Murray emphasized that the company is now focused on finding new ways to publish and market books, showing optimism about the future despite challenges in print sales ( PublishersWeekly.com).

On Product Strategy: Murray highlighted the importance of diversifying HarperCollins’s offerings, moving away from an over-reliance on nonfiction books. He pointed out that the company is increasing its focus on fiction, which he believes will be a key area of growth for the remainder of the year. This shift is partly in response to the success of titles like Hillbilly Elegy and the anticipation of continued strong performance from new fiction releases (PublishersWeekly.com).

Now when this job seeker goes into the interview, they can share their learnings by referencing something from the research:

“Before this interview, I read recent articles that quote CEO Brian Murray. My understanding is that HarperCollins is reducing its reliance on nonfiction books in favor of fiction due to its growth potential.”

8. Implement a Multi-Channel Application Strategy

Don't rely solely on online applications. Combine traditional methods with direct outreach on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or industry-specific communities. Engage with companies by commenting on their posts, sharing their content, or participating in discussions. This increases your visibility and demonstrates genuine interest in the organization.

The key is to build relationships with people who can influence the hiring manager. This starts with cold outreach. While it may be tempting to reach out to the CEO or hiring manager, it is usually easier to connect with people who are on the team you’re looking to join.

According to Albano Gega, founder of career-coaching platform Alza, “a better approach would be to reach out to people adjacent to the position you’re applying for”. The goal of the outreach is not to ask them for a referral, but to ask them about their key challenges and priorities. This is a great way to tap into the hidden job market and learn about roles that are not advertised on job boards.

9. Invest in Continuous Learning and Micro-Credentials

The job market values adaptability and a commitment to personal growth. Enroll in short courses or obtain micro-credentials relevant to your industry. Platforms offering certifications in specific skills can make your profile more attractive to companies seeking up-to-date expertise. Highlighting these credentials shows that you're proactive about staying current in your field.

10. Craft a Compelling Career Narrative

Rather than presenting a list of past jobs and duties, tell a story that connects your experiences to your future goals. A compelling career narrative explains not just what you've done, but why you've done it and how it positions you for the role you're seeking. This approach makes your application more memorable and allows employers to see the strategic thinking behind your career choices.

11. Practice Empathy in Your Job Search

Consider the employer's perspective at every stage of the application process. Tailor your communication to address their needs, concerns, and aspirations. By demonstrating that you understand and care about the company's mission and challenges, you position yourself as a partner rather than just a job seeker.

Succeeding in the competitive job market of 2024 requires ingenuity, authenticity, and a strategic approach. By implementing these non-obvious tactics, you can differentiate yourself from other candidates and create opportunities that might not have been accessible through conventional methods.

Remember, the goal is not just to find a job, but to establish a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship with your future employer. Stay proactive, keep adding value, and the right opportunity will find its way to you.

Resources

• Never Search Alone by Phyl Terry

• Candidate-Market Fit by Phyl Terry

• Cultivated Culture: Value Validation by Austin Belcak

• Not hearing back on job applications? Some career consultants suggest a bold new tactic

If you need help doing in-depth company research in minutes, not hours, try CoverDoc to get a well-researched job guide for any job you’re applying to. Book a 30 minute call