You know how the TikTok algorithm shows you stuff and you start to think, "Oh, it's fate," but in reality, it's the algorithm figuring you out and showing you what you need to see? Well, I predict that's how you're going to get your next job.
If you don't already know, my name is J.T. O'Donnell. I'm the founder and CEO of Work It Daily. My company works with employers, helping them create content that magically shows up in your feed so that you find them on TikTok.
Here's how it works...
You see an employer's content on TikTok.
The content catches your eye. Maybe you feel connected to its products, mission, or company culture.
You Google the company's name to learn more about it.
You end up choosing the company as an employer, applying for a job you think you're qualified for.
Why is this job search strategy important? Because we are no longer job seekers.
We are job shoppers. We will not work just anywhere. And smart employers are figuring that out and understand that the TikTokification of recruiting is here.
If you want to start learning about great companies to work for, and you want them to magically show up in your feed and be part of the algorithm, follow me on TikTok. I'll make sure it happens.
Need more help with your job search?
I'd love it if you signed up for Work It Daily's Event Subscription! I look forward to answering all of your career questions in our next live event!
When you apply for a job, it's important to do your homework on the company so that when you get a job interview and your interviewer asks, "What is it about us that drew you to our company?" you aren't left stumped or jobless.
Not only that, but it's important to figure out if the company is a place YOU would enjoy working at. So, before you send off that resume, check out these sneaky ways to research a company:
Learn About The People Who Work At The Company
Most companies have a staff page on their website. On this page, the company will list some, if not all, of the employees at the company. Here, you can get the names (and sometimes contact information) of people who you'd be working with if you got the job.
How to learn more:
Check out their LinkedIn profile to see what kinds of work/projects they do.
Warning: Don't be creepy or demanding when contacting these people! Simply reach out to them in a professional manner, introduce yourself, and tell them you're interested in learning more about the company and work environment. If they respond, go you! If not, move on and leave them alone.
Find Out What The Company Is Sharing On Social Media
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These days, everyone is on social media—including employers. Look them up on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and so on. Look closely at what they're tweeting, posting, or filming. This is a great way to get a feel for the company's values.
When browsing the social channels of companies, ask yourself these questions:
What events are they promoting?
What articles are they sharing?
How are they interacting with their followers?
Take note of anything that jumps out at you. If something fascinates you, mention it in your cover letter or interview.
See What The Employees Are Saying
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Ever wished there was a place that rated companies based on how much people like working there? Well, now there is! Sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Comparably are great places to learn about a potential employer and how people like working there. With these sites, individuals can comment on the company's benefits, culture, work, and more. Not only that, but they can rate a company based on how much they like working there.
You can also learn more about salary and past interviewing experiences! According to Indeed's Employer Branding Survey, 83% of job seekers say their decisions on where to apply are influenced by employer reviews.
So before you apply for a job, make sure you do your research. Doing a little research can go a long way in your job search. Don't be lazy—learn more about your dream company now!
Sometimes businesses are forced to restructure and cut staff. We've seen this during the COVID-19 crisis, but it can happen at any point of time.
While sometimes unavoidable, the decision to layoff employees can be one of the toughest decisions a company has to make. These are never easy conversations to have, but it's possible to show both commitment and compassion to impacted employees.
"How?" you ask. By providing them with outplacement services.
Providing outplacement services is an essential step that benefits the impacted employee and the business! Here's why...
1. It Helps Employees Take The Next Step
Getting laid off is a gut punch and one of the first questions an impacted employee asks is, "What do I do now?" As an employer, you can't answer that question. But one thing you can do is give the employee the resources to help them answer that question.
Outplacement services typically help people with resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and job search and networking strategies. These services are particularly beneficial to those impacted employees who have been with the company for a long time. A lot has changed in the job search game, and these employees have a lot of catching up to do.
Nothing is ever guaranteed, but studies have shown that people who receive outplacement services get hired two times faster than those who don't. Providing these services shows the impacted employees that, even though you are laying them off, you still care about their professional futures.
Being unemployed is tough, but employers can make it easier by helping their former employees get the resources they need to help them move through the stages of career grief faster and get their job search going in the right direction.
2. It Will Help Morale At The Company
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When a company goes through layoffs, thoughts are naturally with the impacted employees. However, layoffs impact the entire company.
The workforce just lost trusted colleagues and friends. In addition, some people are about to see their job responsibilities change as a result of the layoffs.
The workforce is shaken, perhaps even scared about their own futures at the company, and some will have survivor's guilt.
Many of the remaining employees will talk with those who are laid off. If the company showed compassion and offered outplacement services to those impacted employees, this will get communicated to the current workforce.
Another thing the company can do to ease the concerns of its workforce after a layoff is to over-communicate. Be as transparent as possible and give them what information you can about the decision and the future of the company.
In order to rally the remaining workforce and move the company forward, these employees need to know the vital role they play in helping the company achieve its goals. These employees need to feel a part of a team.
All of this plays a huge role in the company keeping the trust and respect of their employees.
3. It Reflects Well On The Company
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The company's employer brand and reputation are two things that may get put on the back burner when a business goes through tough financial times. But, eventually, these things will matter again, and the way the company navigates a crisis or restructuring will impact its reputation.
Just because a company lays off employees, doesn't make it a bad business. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown numerous businesses for a loop, but even in normal conditions, businesses have to make adjustments in staffing based on a number of ever-changing factors.
Ultimately, it's the way the business handles the layoffs that will impact its reputation.
Employees who feel that they were mistreated or shown a lack of compassion during the layoff process will post a review on job review sites like Glassdoor and Indeed.
Job seekers use these sites to research your company's employee experience, and negative reviews about employees not being treated well during layoffs could cost the company talent in the future.
Giving outplacement will lessen the odds of a former employee writing a negative review about the company. It may even lead to some positive reviews.
Being able to say you made sure every single person got one-on-one job search coaching will show just how much you care for your employees and will reflect well on the company's reputation.
How To Get Outplacement Services
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Cost has always been a point of contention for companies considering whether or not to use outplacement services. However, over the last few years technology has made outplacement services more efficient—and cheaper.
Many essential outplacement services such as resume reviews, LinkedIn and cover letter advice, and professional networking are now built into virtual platforms that eliminate the need for in-person services.
And the good news is, Work It Daily is one of them!
Learn more about Work It Daily's outplacement services and give impacted employees a fighting chance to find work faster in this competitive job market.
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