Landing a Tech Job in 2024: Tips to Stand Out in the Wild West
The tech job market is booming right now with over half a million open roles in the US alone. But before you get too excited about all the “rainbows and unicorns,” know that you’ve also got some heavyweight competition on your hands. Getting an interview is hard if aren’t using the right strategy. Let’s get you more interviews faster using these updated techniques.
Simply throwing the same old tactics at your job search isn’t going to cut it anymore. You’ve got to kick it up a notch and pull out all the stops if you really want to stand out.
Here are some practical tips and tricks to help you land that dream tech gig: < But First repeat after me >
“I promise to submit hundreds of applications no longer. I repeat, I no longer will not blindly submit my resume hundreds of times.”
Why?
The ol’ spray and pray technique is ineffective.
Now really… Here are some practical tips and tricks to help you land that dream tech gig:
Target Roles and Companies That Sync With Your Existing Skills
Don’t get hung up on just one type of role or company. Instead, keep an open mind about how your background could transfer into tech. You may be surprised at how adaptable your skill set is!
Network Smarter, Not Harder
Focus on connecting with people who can actually influence hiring decisions at companies you want to work for. Get introductions through mutual connections whenever possible.
Immerse Yourself in a Company’s Products and Case Studies
Hiring managers want to know you truly understand and even care about what they are building. So, do your research. Poke around their site apps, read up on their latest launches, etc.
Jazz Up Your LinkedIn Profile and Resumes
Make sure they are targeted and relevant to each application. Quantify achievements emphasize transferable skills.
Get a Jumpstart on Job Openings
Figure out how to get on a company’s radar before a job is even posted publicly. Tap into your network for insider intel.
Always Reach Out and Follow Up
Don’t hesitate to contact people who can impact hiring decisions directly. Often, it’s that extra nudge that gets you an interview.
Prepare and Practice for Interviews
Get your story straight. Know exactly how you’ll convey your background to this role and company. Rehearse responses.
Leverage Referrals
Get contacts to directly recommend you to hiring managers. Referred applicants tend to rise right to the top!
Persist and Be Patient
Remember, landing the perfect role isn’t going to happen overnight. But stick with it, leverage the right strategies, and you’ll get there!
The tech job market may seem like the Wild Wild West right now, but you can still take concrete steps to stand out from the masses of applicants. You’ve got this! Time to make your mark. Time to get more interviews faster!
Now that you skimmed the above... Let's make this actionable
Daily Agenda –
- Exercise 🏋️♀️
- Mindset Prep Work <it’s tough out there>
- Head here for help
- Coffee ☕️
- Spend 35 minutes commenting/engaging on LinkedIn.
- Use 1 hour max to respond to yesterday’s engagement <no email or social media rabbit holes>.
- Pick 1-5 relevant roles to target for the day.
- Conduct outreach for roles.
- Individual contributors on the team – strike up a conversation and be curious about them and the company.
- HR/Recruiters/People Ops Professionals at the company.
- Hiring manager (last) – you want to find out information before approaching the manager, but do this quickly.
- Apply for a role based on their recommendations <> However, the goal is to land an interview from a meeting, phone call, or DM.
- Always apply on the company website.
Consistency + persistency = more interviews. Happy hunting!
Want to work together?
