Did you know that working for Zappos, a company on the GameChangers 500 list of the world's top purpose-driven companies, is so desirable that it's actually harder to get a job there than it is to be admitted to Harvard?
Related:Is It Ever 'Too Late' To Get Your Dream Job?
It's true. In 2013, 25,000 people applied for jobs with Zappos, and they only hired 250.
That means that 99% of people who applied didn't get the job.
So, what makes these types of companies so darn desirable? (Because there are thousands more out there.)
And how do you get the attention of a company like this and get the job?
Here's The Scoop
One reason why people love these types of organizations is that they take empowering their employees and creating a phenomenal workplace to the NEXT LEVEL.
Employees at Zappos enjoying “Customer Service Week" with a Slime Fight!
Another reason is that we're bored out of our minds - and want to do something that excites us.
In other words, we'll watch Office Space, get fired up about finding a job we love, and research some companies we find on Monster.com or Craigslist...
And then make one small change to our resume or cover letter and fire it off to as many companies as we can find.
Here's the problem with that approach. You saw the stats - Zappos only hired 1% of applicants, and you can bet other Game Changing organizations like them have similar numbers.
Many people continue to suffer in their miserable jobs while getting more and more frustrated about being the 99% who don't get the results they desire.
How To Get Your Dream Job
The good news? I'm not going to let that happen to you. If you're reading this article, it means you CAN do it - and believe me, it is possible to get your dream job.
(By the way - there's a great free resource here that will help you do that.)
1. STOP Scanning Job Boards
A friend of mine calls this the 'Monster Effect.' It's when you scan huge job boards hoping to find something that jumps out at you...
And then submit your resume to any position that looks moderately interesting. Guess what?
1 moderately interesting position + 1 moderately interesting company = 1 BORING JOB.
Here's what you do instead. Flip your job seeking process around by using the 2nd tip...
2. Have FUN Discovering Your Dream Job
The root problem most people experience in their careers is that they aren't inspired by their work. They aren't fulfilled.
And the best way to solve that problem is by focusing on enjoying the process of finding your dream job.
Think about the best things that have happened in your life.
Maybe sparking that flame with your spouse…
Or achieving some milestone growing up.
Were you ever in a place of desperation and unhappiness when those things happened? Probably not. You were likely in a positive state… maybe even feeling invincible.
The intriguing truth of it all is that the best things happen when you're already in a good place.
So, one of these evenings… turn on some music, crack open a bottle of wine, and have some fun reflecting on and researching your ultimate dream job.
Then jump into tip #3 (and check out this free resource for more help with this)
3. Use Modern Job Seeking Strategies
It's simple. If you want the kind of job we're talking about here - with insanely desirable companies like Zappos...
Where you wake up excited to go to work - not knowing if there's going to be a slime fight or a laser tag party that day...
It's likely not going to be at the kind of place that will hire you with a traditional resume alone. Zappos sure won't.
You need to make a real impression on them by doing something creative and unique that showcases what you bring to the table.
You need to really love their organization, mission, and culture - otherwise you just won't make the cut.
YouTube videos, websites, and mailing physical packages with a unique presentation are some great ways to stand out.
Every company will be unique, so there's no “1 size fits all" approach here. Remember, be creative, authentic, and unique - and show them how you can add value to their organization.
That's how you'll get your dream job.
And if you want a little extra help finding the best companies out there (like Zappos) and getting their attention, check out the free video I put together for you here.
Good luck!
Ryan Niessen is a keynote speaker and co-creator of The Gateway Method: a simple, proven way to gain inside access to the world's best employers and get your dream job. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert.
Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.
In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.
For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.
Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach
Bigstock
Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:
How did I learn about this job?
How did I apply for the job?
Did I earn an interview?
What was the ultimate result?
A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:
Negative Trends
You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.
The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn't to say that job boards don't serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations, and you can't run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there's a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.
One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.
The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.
This is a great way to network your way onto a company's radar.
Positive Trends
You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.
The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview. This indicates that you're leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.
The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback, and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.
Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.
The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn't right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.
Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention
Bigstock
Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.
The reason why it's so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you're applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.
Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you're a potential candidate for the position.
While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.
As for writing a good cover letter, the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter. When you write a disruptive cover letter, you're basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.
If your resumes and cover letters aren't unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.
Build Your Personal Brand
Just because you're looking for work doesn't mean that you don't have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand.
Ask yourself, "How do I want other professionals to view me?"
Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.
By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven't spoken to in years, or making new connections.
You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people's radars. So, when you're cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.
Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search
Bigstock
Your job search is important, but it's even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.
There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:
Grab coffee with a friend - It's good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you're asked about it during a job interview.
Continue to focus on other passions - Are you a fitness nut? Blogger? Crafter? Continue to do the things that bring you happiness. And if you're in a position to profit from your passion through a freelance job or side hustle, even better!
Spring is the perfect time to clean up and improve your job search so you can land the job you want. If you're struggling to find a job, follow the tips above to reinvigorate your job search—and watch your career blossom!
Need more help with your job search?
Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
Employees at Zappos enjoying “Customer Service Week" with a Slime Fight!
Another reason is that we're bored out of our minds - and want to do something that excites us.
In other words, we'll watch Office Space, get fired up about finding a job we love, and research some companies we find on Monster.com or Craigslist...
And then make one small change to our resume or cover letter and fire it off to as many companies as we can find.
Here's the problem with that approach. You saw the stats - Zappos only hired 1% of applicants, and you can bet other Game Changing organizations like them have similar numbers.
Many people continue to suffer in their miserable jobs while getting more and more frustrated about being the 99% who don't get the results they desire.
Bigstock
Bigstock
Bigstock
