How to become a job magnet

We all know the job market isn’t what it used to be and if you want to find a job right now, you’ll need to consider the specifics of the market as it is.

So, let’s talk about what that means.

If you’re looking for a job, you’re going to experience a market that’s flooded with people just like you, also looking for work.

In addition to that, you’re up against the challenges of the automated hiring process which means your resume/ CV might not be matched to the jobs you want and effectively "lost in the system" (unless you know how to navigate it).

The systems, together with the overwhelm of the organization, means that you’re likely to experience a lack of response to your application from organisations and all the emotional and practical impact that comes with that.

Super challenging, super frustrating, and hard to stay motivated.

We’re currently running a poll asking our followers how long they’ve been job-hunting and so far over 56% have been searching for over 6 months. Which demonstrates exactly how difficult job seekers are finding it right now.

Whilst this is the market we find ourselves in, we need to consider how we balance all of this with making it work for us within the constraints.

The Hub’s mission is to show job hunters that it IS possible, and to show them how.

Let's take a closer look at this.

How do you go from lost in application wilderness to magnetizing the jobs you really want?

Let’s start by looking at the no.1 mistake we see many job hunters make.

Your resume/ CV is not an autobiography of the proudest moments of your life and career, and listing everything you’ve ever done does not increase your chances of getting the job.

We completely understand how important your life’s work is to you, and you’re concerned about leaving a moment out, in case it’s THE thing that gets the job.

But you’ve got to start thinking like a hiring manager.

Attracting jobs starts with a shift of mindset.

The big truth: You need to become the solution to the hiring managers' problems.

Let’s dive into this on a deeper basis - what does that look like in a practical sense.

1. Your resume/CV and cover letter

If you’ve been in our space for a while, you may already know that the first thing you need is a resume/CV that is optimized for ATS (applicant tracking systems) to be able to get through the application process.

The majority of organizations and recruiters have these systems to automatically filter out data that doesn’t match the role to be able to simplify and speed up their work.

You then need to consider matching your resume/ CV to the job by using the relevant keywords that match your experience with the job. Ensure you choose keywords that demonstrate your value in the roles you’ve carried out.

You can also do the same for your cover letter to really underline the impact and relevance you have.

If you would like all this work done for you, and want to be 100% confident your resume/ CV will get through the process, join us in The Hub membership and use our Resume Readability tool and the Job Tracker for bespoke cover letters.

Our readability tool is unlike most other resume/ CV tools on the market as it's a real ATS system (as the hiring organization would use), most other tools available to build resumes/CV are built with AI only, so don’t work in quite the same way.

Then you need to make it easy for recruiters to find you and that you’re presenting the best image possible to the world.

It’s the same concept with your LinkedIn profile, you need to make sure it’s presenting the best possible impression of yourself as a professional to the outside world (and all the busy recruiters that could easily pass you by).

For example, you wouldn’t turn up to an interview with your hair unbrushed, wearing a dirty t-shirt and jeans, would you?

You might like to consider that 95% of recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn to source candidates?

Or that 70% of employers use LinkedIn to screen candidates, and over 50% have rejected candidates based on their social media profiles.

LinkedIn really does need to be taken seriously when it comes to job hunting.

2. Use job-relevant keywords in your LinkedIn profile and take time to present a professional image.

Keywords will mean that you are searchable for the very jobs you’re looking for (i.e. you become a job magnet!)

Once again if you want this done for you, our LinkedIn Readability tool in The Hub premium membership does exactly this.

Then there’s the mistake that almost all job hunters are making. Using automated job tools like “easy-apply” means that you are likely to be applying for jobs that are not a good match for skills and experience.

Cue disappointment after disappointment, never hearing back from jobs and wondering if you’re simply unemployable or if you’ll ever find work again.

3. Match yourself to the job before you apply

Be sure your resume and cover letter carry the relevant keywords to match the job. If you can truthfully add more, do so. If you’re way off, save yourself time - there’s probably no point in applying.

We’re proud at The Hub to be able to transform this aspect of the search for job hunters. Our tool JobMatch AI checks your resume against the jobs you’re interested in to see if you’re a match BEFORE you apply. Not only that but if there are improvements that can be made to your resume/CV offering to increase your chances of getting the job it will let you know.

This aspect will save you huge amounts of time and overwhelm, and give you far more accuracy with your applications.

Finally, remember that sometime the most simple ways can be the best.

4. Make use of your network or grow it

When you’re trying to find a way through large numbers of people, applying for a job, it always helps to give yourself an advantage.

Finding jobs via connections or leveraging contacts to get recommendations is a great way to cut through the chaos and get closer to your goals.

There are so many ways you can do this, obviously, LinkedIn is the best place for this, but if you prefer more traditional techniques you can use in-person networking or even just get on the phone or sending a few emails.

You can find out more about networking and LinkedIn in the Resources area of our website.

In summary, whilst the jobs market is challenging, there are very clear ways to work with the limitations of the system and get better results. We’re seeing our members do this every day!

Most importantly, if you’re not already thinking of your job applications in terms of “how do I solve the hiring manager problem?”, this is where you should start.

Our advice – keep it simple, get focused, know the system, keep trying, and keep reflecting on what works and what doesn’t.

For full access to The Hub's intelligent tools and access to our job experts daily, sign up for premium membership today.