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=How to get a job in Silicon Valley=
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How it works
The initial goal is to get your resume onto a manager's desk and have him/her review it.
If you understand the following points, you will have a better idea of how to reach that goal.
Managers usually try to find candidates through referrals before asking for HR's help to advertise an open position.
They don't like receiving hundreds of resumes from unqualified candidates and potentially
waste days searching through them.
Resumes are usually handled by machines.
Machines receive resumes, store them and search through them.
HR people then use keywords to search the database for candidates.
The keyword search brings up several dozens of resumes, then
they may add more keywords to reduce the number of resumes further.
From the now filtered pile of documents, the HR person can select the best candidates and follow-up with them
to see if they are available.
Finally, the list of the best available candidates will be presented to the hiring manager.
It is not always correct to assume that recruiters and HR personnel understand the job description completely.
Thus, it is a good idea to include words and descriptions in your resume that could potentially be used as keywords in an
automated search.
Some tips to remember
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Postage, envelopes, and time are expensive.
Email is the best way to submit your resume. It is fast, reliable and easy to keep track of and find in your mailbox.
If you need to address multiple recipients don't forget to use BCC: (blind carbon copy) instead of CC: (carbon copy).
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If you get a pre-interview call from a recruiter, try to get the manager's name and contact information 'just in case'.
You can then call the manager to introduce yourself and discuss the job to make sure you meet each others expectations.
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Recruiters are pressed for time so they only glance at resumes.
Put your most important information at the top of your resume.
Make brief and concise bullet points that are easy to skim through.
Some people like to have a summary section instead of an objective to highlight their experience.
Note that it is not 'one size fits all', you may have to tailor your resume for every particular position.
- If you send your resume as an attachment give it a name other than "Resume.doc".
For example, if you name it "John_Deer_resume.doc" there are less chances for your resume to get lost among thousands of other files.
- If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience don't try to stretch out
your accomplishments to three pages. One page may be enough. For experienced workers it is ok to have
a resume on multiple pages.
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When a recruiter tries to set up an interview be flexible and available.
He/she probably has other candidates that would accept whatever time and place they are given.
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Managers also scan resumes briefly. Thus, be ready to give three good,
concise reasons why you are a perfect fit for the job.
Cover letter
Including a cover letter with your resume has become an important part of a good business etiquette.
It should be sent as an additional attachment like the resume when possible or at least written out
in the body of an email to which your resume is attached.
After the interview it is appropriate to send a thank-you email to your interviewers.
This is usually something short to thank the interviewer for taking the time to meeting with you.
Writing a short follow-up note will leave a positive impression of you and show that you care about the position
you apply for.
How long should you stay at one company?
There has been controversial discussion over the optimal amount of time one should stay with one company.
Switching jobs every year or two may make you look like a job hopper.
On the other hand many years at one company may suggest that you are afraid to take a risk or lacking ambitions.
Either way, you should be prepared to explain why you moved or why you stayed.
When preparing your explanation remember to demonstrate your professional growth!
This will show your future employer that you are going to stay as long as you have the opportunity to grow.
And number of years at one company speaks for your loyalty.
Use your contacts
Your contacts are a great resource!
Take some time to sit down and make a list of people you have worked with, peers, customers, vendors.
These people could all be potential employers and sources of referrals to a new job.
A resume passed to a hiring manager through a contact is more likely to get read than a resume submitted randomly with many others.
Do you need a headhunter?
Executive Recruiter or Executive Search Consultant are another name for a headhunter.
Many companies use headhunter services because their own human resources department has deviated
from recruiting to focus on administering benefit plans, employee surveys and training.
Note that there is a difference between headhunting agencies and employment agencies:
employment agencies find jobs for people while headhunting agencies find people for jobs.
Your question may be: why should I work with a headhunter?
Well... why not?
First of all their service is free for you.They are paid by the company that hires you.
So let them work and save you time!
Another good thing is that headhunters often have insider information. For example, you
wouldn't want to join a company that will be
laying people off in a few months.
Headhunters have knowledge of positions that are not heavily advertised and are often not posted
to the general public.
You could also spew your salary expectations comfortably to the headhunters
and let them do the negotiating for you, this often beats haggling with your future boss.
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