Searching for a job can be a daunting task, but little preparation goes a long way in helping you find a company where you can be valued, and where you can deliver value. Many job seekers look to apply to as many jobs as possible without first understanding whether their qualifications meet the job description or whether the company is a place they truly wish to work. In the first part of our four-part Land Your Dream Salesforce Job, we provide key recommendations in finding the Salesforce job of your dreams.
Do your Research
The first part of your journey should be to do your research to understand job and salary trends for the type of position for which you are applying. Review different job openings, familiarize yourself with the language in the job descriptions, and carefully examine whether you have the qualifications for the role you are seeking. If you find open positions for which you are interested in, research the company by reviewing news articles, social media posts, and company owned online sites. In doing so, you should look to determine the health of the organization (i.e., is employee morale good, are they growing as a business, etc.) and whether the company culture is something that is attractive. Finally, ensure you understand the location requirements for a position before applying as there are intricacies to understand regarding remote work, hybrid, and in-person expectations.
Utilize your Network
Once you have found a position and an organization that fits your needs, look for an opportunity to speak with someone who works there. Your LinkedIn network is the perfect place to start. First, search for the company and review the employees that work there to determine if you have any direct or shared connections. For shared connections, look for people who may be in positions related to the job you are interested in. Reach out to your direct connections and ask if they can make an introduction. If a connection is made, ask to have an informal conversation about their experience working at the company. This may seem odd, but it is important to remember that you need to determine whether you want to work at the company and if things go well during the conversation, this can give you a leg up on your competition as you may gain an internal reference.
Clean up Your Online Presence
Like it or not, companies snoop through your online presence to determine your character and whether you may be a cultural fit for the company. They will look through your social media feeds – such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc. – seeking red flags. We recommend reviewing all your content and determining whether you want prospective employers seeing this information. For example, pictures of your crazy college spring break nights or the time you said something rude in the heat of enthusiastic online debate (you pick your topic) might be something to make private.
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