The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job Without Using Job Boards

Are you fed up of trawling through online job boards for hours on end, only to find 1 or 2 roles that are actually of interest to you? You’re not alone. According to recent research, one of the main factors putting people off applying for new roles is the job search itself. It’s painstaking, time consuming, and often filled with uninteresting or unrealistic job descriptions.

Online job boards aren’t the only way, nor necessarily the best way for you to find your next role. Thanks to the world of LinkedIn and online networking sites, you can make a career move without even opening a job board up on your browser.

The best growth you can experience happens outside of your comfort zone.

Here is our ultimate guide to finding a job without using job boards:

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1. Make a list of the top 15 companies you would love to work for. Think of the brands and products you swear by to friends, industries you’re interested in, and causes that you find empowering. Also look at the companies of people you’re inspired by, whether they own them, run them, or work for them.
   

2. Follow all these companies on LinkedIn so that you are updated when they are hiring. (Finding the right role is a long run, but it doesn’t have to be a time consuming one. Make LinkedIn do the work for you!)
   

3. Follow and connect with the relevant decision makers at said companies. This includes Hiring Managers of relevant departments, internal Talent Teams, and HR.
   

4. Update your CV AND LinkedIn profile. Your LinkedIn is an online CV, Hiring Managers will look at your profile when you apply to their roles. Have you filled out all your skills, added descriptions to your previous work history, and included a snapshot bio in your About section?
   

5. Be active on LinkedIn. Post and interact with content that’s relevant to your industry. What topics are your top 15 companies talking about? Join in the discussion. You don’t have to post all day every day, aim for once or twice a week and find a routine that suits you.
   

6. Likes go a long way. Like and comment on posts by the companies you’re interested in, and posts by the decision-makers. It feels great when someone likes your post online doesn’t it? So spread the love!
   

7. Message decision makers directly. Maybe they’ve posted something you found really interesting and useful. As well as liking it, send them a direct message thanking them for sharing and that you found it useful. This is networking! 😄
   

8. If one of your top 15 companies posts a role you’re interested in, send the relevant recruiter or hiring manager a direct message. Not only are you getting your foot in the door, but you’re saving them from spending hours searching for candidates online. It’s a win win!
   
   

Lastly, but most importantly, believe in yourself and trust the process. We know it sounds cheesy, but hear us out. It’s true what they say, that you miss every opportunity you don’t put yourself forward for. So don’t be your own reason for holding yourself back. It can be nerve wracking to message someone you don’t know online, but after a while you will get used to it. You might even enjoy it too... I can guarantee that the person you message also gets anxious when reaching out to someone new, it’s completely normal. The best growth you can experience happens outside of your comfort zone. So make that list, find the decision makers, and start connecting.

Written by Phoebe Blair

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