After 3 months, I finally got a job offer. Tips for current market

I’ve been job hunting since May and have sent over hundreds of applications.

I finally got a job offer this week and will be starting next week. This will be a data-related role (full-time position)

For those job hunting, this is what worked for me:

1. Cast a long, wide net

I don’t meet all the minimum requirements for this role and I almost didn’t attend the interview because I felt I was under qualified for the role

1. Prepare prepare prepare

Prepare your story, prepare for behavioural questions, prepare for technical questions If you’re not ready to attend an interview within a week, that means you haven’t prepared enough. The roles I’ve successfully got an interview for, most of them want an interview scheduled within 1-3 days. You have to be ready for them.

1. Attend all interviews

Even if you feel the role isn’t aligned to what you’re looking for, even if the pay isn’t what you’re looking for – attend the interview, do the technical test. You will always walk away with more knowledge and experience than not attending. This will allow you to close your knowledge gap and better prepare for next time.

1. Job applications

Prioritise filling job applications directly on the company’s website. Still try to apply on LinkedIn through Easy Apply (remember.. you still want to cast a wide and long net)

1. Network

Networking is important but it’s not the end of the world if you can’t. I moved from another country, I’m on a visa, I have no support or connections here but I still made it without networking at all.

1. Stay positive, be resilient

It’s truly a tough market out there and don’t let that impact your self worth. I’ve been sending hundreds of applications out and it felt like they all went into a black hole. I’ve worked closely with recruiters before and have been ghosted every single time. It’s incredibly important to stay positive and be resilient and be able to bounce back after a bad interview or facing a rejection even when you think you went well during the interview.

1. Upskill

If you feel like your skills are not aligned with the current job market, spend at least 1 full day upskilling, especially for technical roles

1. Don’t be humble

If you’re job hunting in the US, really showcase who you are, your achievements, and what you can bring to the company/team. It’s better to be vocal about your achievements and your skills/experience than to be silent about it. It is incredibly competitive out there and you are competing with hundreds of applications, if not thousands.

1. Accept vs decline

In the previous job market, you can be selective with your offers but it’s difficult in the current job market. It’s very much an employer’s market at the moment. Rather than having the grass is always greener mindset, settle for the job (if it works for you) and pivot later. This will allow you to close your resume gap, make some money, build some skills and experience. Don’t think that you have to stay in this role forever – use it as a stepping stone.

1. Luck

I went through a dry spell for many months, and last week, I had interviews with 3 different companies. Sometimes you just have to go through a dry spell, and then offers will come in batches. Just keep going.

Good luck to all job hunters out there!

I’ve been on reddit a lot during my job hunt and I’d love to help and support the community. Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll be happy to help!