I Was Asked if There Was a Shortcut to Good Employment
Short answer: sure, here are a few shortcuts
I used to be an Employment Support Professional.
For years, I said, “it’s a full-time job to get a job.” But today, let’s cover some shortcuts.
Shortcut 1: Pick a Job Search Engine and Go With It
Be like my wife.
She got a job through Indeed after interviewing for just three companies. She was offered two jobs after three interviews and after applying to maybe 20 jobs on Indeed.
This is called magic, luck, or the right place at the right time with the right qualifications.
The company that hired my wife was looking for someone to help out in the accounting office. It was an added position, not a position to replace anyone, and thus did not have rigid guidelines.
Although the expectations were moderate, my wife’s 13 years in banking showed company loyalty and the ability to work independently. She was also proficient with their main subject — money and billing codes.
This is why she was hired.
Shortcut 2: Good References
Get a lot of good references in the company you are in and all companies you will be in.
The last company I worked for worked with UNC Chapel Hill Supported Employment Trainers, probation officers, dozens of companies around multiple cities at a time, and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
When you are ready to leave your company, with ample notice one of these references might be able to scoop you in. This shortcut requires vocational competency.
Shortcut 3: Headhunter
If you’re in a position to find a headhunter, find one if they have not reached out to you. Some companies have just recruiters, but will sometimes use headhunters.
Most times headhunters will locate you, but there are times when you can try to locate them and reach out. You can reach out to a company you want to work for’s HR Department and ask if they use a “search firm”. They are also on LinkedIn, as well as searchable on Google. This shortcut requires a specific field of expertise.
I had a client who worked in corporate for Fortune 500 companies and she gets a LinkedIn message about once a week from a headhunter.
Shortcut 4: Accept a Lower Position Secretly
Lowball your skills and experiences to get a lower position at a company you like that has higher position options (that may or may not be available at the time), then work your way up.
Maybe your time at a company is coming to a close or maybe a company is closing its doors, this option may be what you do.
This shortcut requires the ability to climb back up the ladder. For example, if I were to be employed by the Department of Vocational Rahibilation or a company that just focuses on individuals with traumatic brain injuries, I’d have to learn a new Supported Employment language. That means new standards I’ll be reviewed according.
Shortcut 5: Apply for Supported Employment
Apply for Supported Employment at a company or to the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to see if they are in with a company that you would like. Medicaid has also been known to pay for classes and even laptops for people with Medicaid.
Supported employment refers to service provisions wherein people with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, mental health, and traumatic brain injury (TBI), among others, are assisted with obtaining and maintaining employment. This shortcut requires you to qualify for the service.
Shortcut 6: LinkedIn
Put a 20-second professional video on LinkedIn and share it with your contacts/references.
This shortcut requires a clear video and sound that an applicant produces as if a recruiter is watching.
Shortcut 7: Get Really Good at Job Interviews
I had a client once that could apply to any cashier job and get offered the job while interviewing in shorts. He’s been offered jobs at places he knew he’d never work or would want to work. He even walked into a random place, as we drove back from the office to his house, and did a on-the-spot interview. Came out like it was nothing, and said “Sorry it took so long, they ended up interviewing me on the spot. I’d give this place a try. They should be calling later today.”
This shortcut requires having a great speaking voice with a wide vocabulary, physical appearance in professional attire (unless you’re my client), and relevant experience with a hunger to work.
Conclusion
As you may have noticed, all the shortcuts still require a bit of focus to get the details right. For example, any reference that will put their name with yours will need to really like you (unless they are not professional, in which case, they will hurt your chances). In my wife’s case, you see the details are right, as well. In my prior clients’ examples, too.
So, another answer to the question is, they are not really shortcuts, just whatever fits you as a person and a worker.
I wouldn’t gamble with shortcuts. I still say,
It’s a full-time job getting a job.
I’d say do all the above, combined, plus all the regular job-hunting stuff:
- Get a federal resume prepared (this definitely is not a shortcut, took me 4 days to do my federal resume)
- Check your social media for any politics, cults, etc.
- Get an Indeed and ZipRecruiter account (filling out many Indeed assessments is a given and so is getting at least 4 references to post on your ZipRecruiter)
- Always get help with your resume, cover letter, and federal resume. I can browse your stuff voluntarily, quickly, and with full privacy protection of your information, at [email protected] and don’t trust just anyone — one of my clients almost got a job with Border Patrol after a couple rounds of interviews. Just one undisclosed thing did not add up, it was unfortunate. Some clients would say they love their jobs more than any other job they’ve had. I’ve had quick turnarounds with clients, just a week from one job to the next
- Get on USAJOBS.gov (not a shortcut like Indeed. I did an application for the ATF one time — and so did 1,800 others) (plus, getting a nice profile on here takes a good amount of time, like a good Indeed profile does)
- Each job application for federal resumes will require an edited federal resume, so keep all copies of your federal resume
- Have a laptop, a car, and a phone with a good voicemail greeting
- Maximize your strengths if you have deficiencies or limitations. Naturally, having a criminal record on your background is a red flag for most employers. Applications are required to say it will not affect your chances, but it is common knowledge that it will. Same for disabilities. Same for lack of experience or significant gaps in your resume. If you wouldn't hire you, you can’t blame an employer for not, so do something about it by working on yourself
- Never take a job that you do not want on your resume and never hide a job from your resume. Some employers have reach
- Never quit a job before you have another one
Read More:
From my favorite former corporate officer, Lisa Quast:
- Book: Secrets of a Hiring Manager: A Foolprrof Guide to Getting the Job You Want
- Book: Your Career, Your Way: Personal Strategies to Achieve Your Career Aspriations