Photo Source: Cosmopolitan.com
You spend years going through school to build skills that will help you get a job in an area you are interested in. You might even go to countless career guidance meetings – or fall into a soul-searching rabbit hole on Google – in an attempt to find out what you should do with your life. But when it comes down to the actual job hunt, it’s easy to lose sight of those priorities in a desperate flurry to fit yourself to a job description (instead of the other way around). As we skim down the dreaded list of requirements, the self-doubt sets in: do I have the right qualifications for this job? Is my previous experience relevant at all? Why oh why didn’t I take a computer class at school? Do I even have the right wardrobe to fit in here?
Alright, calm down. You’re not alone! Trying to make yourself fit to a neat job description on a company website can feel like a square-peg-round-role situation for almost everybody. This is because the job market has changed a lot in recent years, but the way we search for jobs hasn’t. Nowadays, people change jobs, industries and roles a lot more frequently than they used to. If you look at the marketing team of a startup company, you might find a guy from the tech team sitting next to a former musician sitting next to a former history teacher and his dog. Our outdated job hunting system is causing difficulties from the employers perspective too, with 32% of American companies struggling to find the right fit for their available roles, even within some of the hottest companies (according to a recent LinkedIn study). For years, employers have been trying to find a good fit based on lists of qualifications and skills -- but it takes more than checking off a list of skills to find the best person for a job. Employers are beginning to recognize that they have to look at the bigger picture: does this candidate’s work style fit the company? Do their core values align with ours? And, importantly, would I laugh at their jokes? If employers are taking this strategy, it makes sense that job seekers should start to think this way, too.
Job seekers: you aren’t doing yourself any favors by applying to a company that isn’t a good fit for you. It’s time to hunt smarter! Why not turn the job hunt around altogether by taking the “it’s not me, it’s you” approach? Instead of changing yourself to fit a company’s job description, try finding a company that fits you and your skills.
1. Do Careful Research
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Rule number one: always research the company you are applying to. It may take a little longer than firing off resumes to anything that looks remotely interesting, but we’re strong believers in quality over quantity. You’re far more likely to get responses to your applications if you pick a few and research them really well. Start by checking out the company’s website, especially the “about us” page and the mission statement. This will give you an idea of the company’s core goals and values. If these look pretty good to you, then you’re onto something.
But don’t stop there! These descriptions tend to be idealistic, so to find out what things the company is actually doing, check out its social media sites. See what things they’ve been posting about recently to get a sense of what they are most proud of, how active they are in your areas of interest, and what sort of vibe the company is going for. And to really learn about a company minus the rose-tinted glasses, look them up on Glassdoor. This awesome site allows real employers to leave anonymous reviews of their companies, making it easier for job seekers to find answers to all those awkward questions such as salary details, and what it’s really like to work for certain people. After you’ve done all this digging, you should have a better idea of what this company values the most- and what it would be like to work there. If you like what you found, then you can apply and show off all your knowledge of the company. If you’re not into the company, you’ve saved yourself from filling in a pointless application.
2. Think About Culture Fit
Photo Source: someecards
Company culture is the new buzzword on the block that all startups are talking about, and for good reason. It says a lot about the collective core values of the people who work there, and is one of the most defining features of a company. If you thought culture was just a code word for in-office beer kegs and happy hours, think again. A survey conducted by Millennial Branding and Beyond.com in 2014 showed that 43% of hiring managers ranked “cultural fit” as “the single most important thing” when hiring a new employee. Hiring managers have seen all sorts of people working together in various combinations, and they know that if someone is a good fit for the company culture they will most likely be happy there and work hard. The rest of the employees will probably be happy working with them, everybody will be happy, and productivity will go up or continue at a high level. If someone is not a good fit, things can get unpleasant and unproductive pretty fast. It is so important to take the time to figure out what sort of work environment you would be happiest and most productive in. Having a sense of what is right for you -- and then seeing if it aligns with some of the companies you are applying to -- is a surefire way of increasing your odds of being hired.
3. Assess the Perks
Photo Source: cnbc.com
If you’ve scrolled to the end of a job description, googled the company, checked Glassdoor and you still don’t have a feel for the company culture, then check the company’s perks. Seriously. When you are in the thick of the job hunt the perks might seem like an unnecessary cherry on top of a very distant cake, but perks really are worth thinking about. Truth be told, if a company has perks that bore your socks off then chances are you won’t enjoy working at that company -- simple as that.
Does the idea of rooftop yoga at 7am make you shudder and reach for a third coffee? Could mean you may not be a good fit for this environment. Do you love going for pints and socializing with your colleagues? Then a company that offers weekly happy hours and lots of fun team-bonding activities could be the perfect fit for you. And let’s not forget that perks are designed to keep you motivated and productive, as well as happy. If free beer and bean bags are only going to lead you down the road of afternoon naps and procrastination then it might be best to look for companies with more active perks, such as volunteer opportunities, a strong CSR program or flexible hours.
4. Ask Interview Questions That Turn the Tables
Photo Source: linkedin.com
By now you know that the job hunt is a two-way street. But what happens when you get that call inviting you in for an interview? It may seem like the sole purpose of the interview process is for hiring managers to grill you with tricky questions, but don’t forget that it is also a great chance to figure out if the job is a good fit for you. As you are prepare for your interview, make sure you have a few questions of your own up your sleeve. Make sure you ask about professional development, volunteering opportunities, and work culture. Not only will this give you an opportunity to find out about your potential company, but it will also make a great impression on the interviewer because they’ll be able to tell that you’ve done your research and are carefully and seriously considering your future at this company. Be warned -- there is a good chance that trying to feel out what it’s like to work at this company during the interview will only result in your interviewer offering a utopian vision of what really goes on. Make your questions as specific as possible to avoid vague answers (like these).
The job hunt is often a painful, outdated process that makes job seekers feel helpless (especially if their experiences don’t match typical job descriptions). But don’t panic! There actually is a lot that you can do to help improve your chances. Hiring managers are beginning to look beyond the job requirements to find people who are a good cultural fit for their company. So, it makes sense for job seekers to tailor their job hunt to specific companies that align with their own values and motivations. Doing your research about core values, perks, and professional development opportunities can help identify company that is a good cultural fit for you -- making things easier for both you and your potential employer!
Ready to explore a range of exciting new companies to find one that’s right for you? Sign up on Planted to begin your research and get some tips from career pros!
Sources: linkedin.com, glassdoor.com, lifehacker.com, themuse.com
Christina Dolphin is a freelance writer, educator, and musician from Ireland who recently moved to NYC after completing her master’s degree at University College Dublin. She currently works with a non-profit that helps teach school kids about sustainable agriculture. In her spare time, she likes to run, travel, and eat her way around NYC.