Are you looking to land a job at your dream company? An ideal company can look different for everyone. For some, the mission and goals are critical. For others, salary and benefits come first. Whatever your priorities, you can increase your chances of getting hired by the company you’ve been eyeing. Here are some tips to get employed by your dream company.
1. Research the Company
Reading the company website can give information that can help in your application. Many companies share their mission and current projects online. You can also visit job boards with employee reviews, like Indeed.
A thoughtful review can give you an idea of team dynamics, the hiring process, and culture. While your research may not provide a complete picture of what a company is like, you might get some valuable tips to help you with your application.
2. Be Specific About the Position You Want
When an article mentions companies with a great working environment, Google inevitably gets mentioned. While the company has recently received backlash because of massive tech layoffs, you can’t deny that it's a recognized brand when it comes to employee engagement. Its workplace culture inspired the comedy film The Internship and spawned numerous articles on why everyone wants to work at Google.
You might be tempted to apply to multiple positions in idealized companies like Google just to get in. However, recruiters and career experts interviewed by FastCompany say doing this has potential drawbacks. For one, it might make the recruiter think that you’re desperate. Being specific about the job you want and actively preparing for it would be the best step in getting a foot in the door of your dream company.
If you have a company in mind but no specific job prospects yet, read up on how to find the perfect career for yourself. A job search becomes less daunting when your career path is clear.
3. Build Your Skills and Experience
Marketing yourself and using the best resume tips to stand out to recruiters can take you as far as the interview. But getting hired requires standing out from other candidates. In a sea of applicants, your skills and experience give you an edge.
Building skills and experience takes time but has become easier than ever. You can access the best apps for free online courses on your smart device. These online learning apps provide certification courses, boot camps, and even advanced degrees. Content creators on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook also offer free advice, templates, and tutorials. The challenge is choosing the best resources to upskill and get noticed by your dream company.
4. Ask for a Recommendation
Recommendations provide recruiters with a more in-depth view of your skills and character. A Forbes article by Lisa Quist shows that recruiters typically like to read references from former managers, former co-workers, and direct reports. These recommendations can either be in the form of a formal letter or written on an online job site.
5. Filter Your Online Job Search
When you learn how to use LinkedIn more effectively to improve your job search, you’ll see how easy it is to filter results and find jobs in your dream company. Simply type the company name and location into LinkedIn’s search bar. The photo above shows an example of search filters using Amazon and the United States (location). You’ll see a list of results that you can filter by Jobs, Date posted, Experience level, and Job type.
6. Set Up Notifications on Job Boards
Turn on notification alerts on job sites to receive messages about job openings in your dream company. Let’s use LinkedIn again as an example. Follow the steps for filtering your online job search in the previous point. Above the search results, you’ll see Amazon and the United States and a toggle switch marked Set alert. Slide the toggle switch to turn it on.
Manage your preferences to receive alerts on your preferred time and channel. For instance, you might want to receive these alerts weekly through email rather than daily through the app. You can also set notification alerts for other job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor.
7. Connect With Recruiters and Employees on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking site that gives you access to millions of recruiters and employees. You can use it not only for job hunting, but also for networking. Employees might balk at receiving a random message from a stranger on their personal Facebook page. However, networking with professionals in your industry is welcome on LinkedIn.
There are ways to build a professional network on LinkedIn. Use these best practices to add connections with people in your dream company. This way, they can keep you in mind in case of job opportunities. Their posts might also give you valuable insight into company culture or alert you when a position becomes available.
8. Use Social Media to Add Value and Get Noticed
Your online persona impacts your chances of getting hired by your dream company. A survey released by The Harris Poll in October 2020 showed that 71% of U.S. hiring decision-makers think checking a candidate’s social media profile is an effective way to screen applicants. Moreover, 67% of employers use social networking sites for job recruitment; 55% of them find content that disqualifies an applicant.
If this is the case, you need to learn how to make social media work for you. Share your expertise and experience in the appropriate channels. Moreover, don’t be afraid to join in on online conversations if you have something relevant to add.
9. Curate and Update Your Best Work
Do you curate your best work samples? If not, start making time for it. Employers generally ask for two-three samples or a link to your website. Prepare by designing a professional portfolio using free sites like Weebly or Canva. You can also share links from your cloud storage. Don’t forget to add recent work to give employers an idea of your skills.
10. Follow All Requirements
Create a checklist on an app like Todoist to ensure that you don’t miss out on fulfilling and submitting job requirements. For instance, some employers might ask you to include a keyword in your subject line or cover letter when you submit your application. Following instructions shows that you pay attention to important details.
11. Prepare for Your Interview
Both experienced employees and first-time job seekers can benefit from interview preparation. Preparing reduces anxiety and helps you remember experiences you’d like to highlight in your resume. If an interviewer asks about projects you’ve successfully managed, you’d want a ready answer supported by data.
More companies have allowed remote work in the past years, so recruiters might invite you to join an interview on Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet. If so, learn how to ace your online job interview. You can practice with a friend or use mock interview sites. Preparing well will help you avoid problems such as gadget malfunctions or an unstable internet connection.
Get Hired by Your Dream Company With These Tips
Imagine your excitement when you finally start your first day at work. It might seem like a dream now, but it can become a reality if you’re willing to exert effort. Just a word of caution–no company is perfect, but that doesn’t mean that working there won’t be a positive experience.
Dream companies can be part of any industry. If you’re still searching for an employer that fits your ideal, try looking up purpose-driven organizations. These organizations offer meaningful work that changes lives. One of the best parts is, they’re willing to pay you for it.