I have landed 90% of my jobs without having referrals or insider knowledge.

I did it by creating my own. 

It's not ground breaking to say that the stronger your online network is, the better your chances of landing an interview. This sage advice is helpful for anyone applying for a new role, but for career changers it is sometimes the difference between transitioning quickly or spinning for months. 

The strategy you implement will be dictated by a variety of factors, including how quickly you need to move. 

Time permitting, lay your network foundation by building relationships 

Michael Stinnett sums this up perfectly.

Engage and build meaningful relationships.

Leverage LinkedIn to find folks who have your dream job or work for your dream company and start chatting.

There's lots of good tips on how to do this online...

But what about when you find the PERFECT role and don't have the luxury of time to build relationships?

Today, I am going to share with you my personal strategy for this exact scenario.  

Let's get started.

1. Be particular on the job role or company.  

 Use this strategy when you have a clear point of view on the job you want, the company you want to work for, and the value you bring to the table.

2. Use LinkedIn to identify the recruiter or hiring manager before applying. 

9 times out of 10 a job posted on LinkedIn will have recruiter or hiring manger information.

Don't be shy about reaching out.

Be respectful of their time, but ask to connect briefly to learn about the role and if you may be a good fit for them.

I've personally never been told no. Maybe it's just luck, but I find most people are pretty open.

Here's an example email you could send:

Hi Robin,

I came across your listing for the [job title] at [company]and it really spoke to my professional background and personal values.

I have over 15+ years experience in [x,y,z]. I'd love to be able to build upon my [insert relevant experience] and [something that excites you about the job]. 

If possible, I'd like to connect briefly to chat more about the role and if I may be a good fit prior to submitting my application. Please let me know what time would work best for you and I'll get something scheduled.

Thank you,

[name]

3. Be strategic on your call 

Establish a genuine rapport.

Learn as much about the role and the hiring manager's true needs. Job postings are often controlled by HR or internal processes, so the descriptions may not match the true needs of the manager. 

Get real insight into the role so that you can decide if you are still interested before expending a bunch of energy on the application. 

You can use the time to sprinkle in relevant experience and what makes you special. This is essential because it's your opportunity to informally interview.

Treat it as such. 

If you hit if off on the phone you are much more likely to have your resume pushed to the next round even if you aren't a traditional candidate. 

If you decide the job is not for you, you have saved the recruiter and yourself a bunch of time while making a new connection. Win-win.

4. Tailor your resume and interview  

Done well, you should have left your 1:1 with a gold mind of information. Use it to tailor your resume and prepare for any future interviews with the hiring manager. You have a much better chance at landing the job if you can draw direct connections for folks on how your experience and abilities can solve their problem. 

5. Apply and send thanks

Once you apply (ideally within 24hrs of your meeting), send a follow up note to the recruiter. In the note indicate you've formally applied, so they know to look for your application in the system. 

Hope this helps.