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My process for getting interviews
Here is my established method for getting interviews. I take my time to read everything on the job description as well as research the company. This thoroughness ensures the company fits my goals and values.
To avoid getting frustrated or depressed, I give myself a time limit of an hour or just over when looking for jobs. Recently, I've been using LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and BuiltIn.
The two steps I take here are:
- filter the search criteria to some of the "must-have" criteria
- use Glassdoor to lookup company reviews and salary
My search criteria might be something like
- "full time" because I don't want a contract position
- Salary set above a specific amount because I don't want to waste my time on companies who can't provide a number (LinkedIn estimates the salary based on previous data, which is super helpful).
- Location set to "remote" if possible, or I will search for the word remote since job titles often include the word.
- The job title is tricky and takes some time to find what works. LinkedIn finds matches based on your profile, so I keep my profile updated and then use LinkedIn to get ideas.
- I'm a front-end web developer*, so here are some keywords or job titles that may fit:
- front-end developer
- front-end software engineer
- front-end engineer
- web engineer
- Brand Experience
- Design System
- Accessibility
- UI components
- UI engineer/developer
- marketing software engineer (since I've done a lot of that)
*I've found that companies tend to stick with engineers or developers. I don't worry too much about the job title suffix. Often, it differs by city, state, or country. Silicon Valley calls anyone who codes a software engineer. Los Angeles, CA, for instance, may refer to the same role as a web engineer or web developer. Some even go for a programmer.
Once I start finding some jobs that seem promising, I create a list.
I queue up between 8-10 jobs links and then review them again to ensure each job meets my goals.
Save job links to a spreadsheet, Huntr.co, or write them down on paper
- Create a folder structure to keep track of jobs
- Export the job listing webpage to a PDF and save it in my files (Dropbox or similar)
The folder structure I use is as follows:
- To Apply
- Company A
- Job Description
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Company B
- ...
- Company A
- Prepared
- Applied
- Interviewed
- Archived
I end up needing the PDF export when I get an interview. Companies inevitably take job listings down by the time you need to reference them.
I write a custom cover letter for every job I apply for because it makes all the difference.
My cover letter format includes:
- a brief intro introducing my soft skills (motivated, self-directed,
- several bullet points that I feel qualify me for the role and match the job description
- what I'm doing now (one sentence)
I revise my resume to highlight points that reinforce my fit for the role. I've reduced my resume to one page since people who review resumes scan them rather than read them intently. Usually, during the interview, I will have the opportunity to discuss my achievements and experience more in-depth. If I don't, then they must not care. I even update my resume title to fit the job title.
I only submit applications for my prepared jobs on Monday and Tuesday between 9 am and noon during the company's time zone. The reasons for these two days come from years of research on productivity in the workplace. A couple of years ago, I switched to submitting applications on Monday and Tuesday and immediately received interviews.
I will usually submit 5-10 job applications per week and take a week off if I'm too busy mentally or physically. That's the process I use. It's easy to repeat and takes a couple of hours a week.
Feel free to share any thoughts, comments, or what process you use.
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