The line between work life and personal life is often blurred.  For many of us, finding a role that allows us to move in and out of these worlds is an important factor in selecting our dream job.  In other words, if we are going to go all in at work, it has to fit you as well as your personal life.  The work itself is just one element; finding a career that allows us to thrive in ways that are individually meaning is just as critical.  

Whether you are one of the unicorns who is frequently tapped for the next big thing by recruiters, or just someone who seeks to find a new, better fit somewhere, here are a few things to consider when trying to land your dream gig.  

CREATE YOUR STORY

It never ceases to amaze me how often I sit in an interview and am on the receiving end of a candidate struggling to walk me through their background.  You know your career history better than anyone. Take the time to practice telling your story before you interview.  Think through why you took the roles you did, and be able to share how you powered through adversity.  Hiring managers aren’t looking for perfect people.  They do, however, want someone who can articulately talk about the decisions they made, and measure how accountable you are when things don’t always go as planned.  Don’t be embarrassed to share your career highlights, and don’t shy away from talking about key lessons taken from your “learning opportunities” as well.

WALK IN KNOWING WHAT THEY DO 

Before you ever walk into a company, do your research.  No matter what job you are applying for, taking an interview without having a basic understanding of what the company does is a big no-no.  Explore their website, recent press releases, or other available information and take some notes on areas you want more information about.  You’ll feel more confident walking in, but also prepared to better answer, “what questions do you have for me?” when asked.  

THEN DO SOME RECON

Most companies talk a good game and pitch you with their best foot forward.  If something seems too good to be true, it likely is.  It can be intoxicating to be wanted by someone showing interest in you.  It’s quite another when you join and realize things aren’t always as they are portrayed.  Do your diligence and learn about the company in a meaningful way.  In other words, ask direct questions about the things that are meaningful to you.  Read through Glassdoor and other reviews to gain insights.  Ask to speak to someone in a similar role you’ll be taking to get a sense of the real deal.  Tap your network to determine if you know someone who works there that can provide valuable insider insights.

COMMIT…AT LEAST FOR A WHILE

The work world has shifted significantly over the past several decades, so that the expectation is no longer that you join a company for life anymore. That said, jumping every year or two isn’t necessarily the best strategy either. Finding a place where you can grow, add impact and be valued for what you are worth is not easy.  Finding that company who offers all that and is a good culture fit for you as well is even tougher.  When you find it, don’t be so quick to turn your head to the next company who comes a-calling.

No job is nirvana.  Just as in real life, there will be ups and downs. Take the time to truly understand the companies you are interested in, and make sure they are a great fit for the long haul.  While things might look exceptional on the surface, it’s not until you dig deep and truly do your homework that you will know if it’s great match.  

Christina Luconi is Chief People Officer for Rapid7. Follow her on Twitter: @peopleinnovator

When it comes to looking for a job, figuring out where to start is always the hardest part. Despite living in a digital world, many of us don’t know how to fully take advantage of the information at our fingertips. Job hunting needs to go beyond simply posting your resume on a job board or applying to openings online. These things are a small piece of a much larger picture. 

Are you cutting yourself short and missing out on other opportunities?

You could be a new grad, someone looking to make a career change, or someone looking to further your career. You could be looking for a better employer, stronger career progression, or to improve your work-life balance. Or you could be generally looking for work after a layoff. Whatever your situation may be, the key to being a good job seeker is to be prepared BEFORE you need to start looking. This will help you get traction, build relationships, and hopefully land you better options to choose from when the time is right. After all, you don’t want to make a snap decision in a desperate situation.

Stay relevant and involved. Here are things you should be doing continuously to ensure you’re in a good place when it’s time to start looking:

Talent Brand Research

With the access of information via technology, candidates have the ability to research companies in depth. Rather than only looking for job openings, also look into the companies in your target area and/or industries. Check out their career page, watch videos, read their BIZZpage on VentureFizz & Glassdoor reviews, follow them on social media, and network with their employees on LinkedIn. 

Good companies are recognizing the influence of their employer brand and are taking steps to push out content to attract great talent. Doing your research here will not only help you see relevant job opportunities, but also help identify which company culture and benefits are a fit for you. This is an important step to ensuring overall happiness with your choice.

Identify Key Contacts and Communicate

Most people have felt the emptiness of the resume black hole. You know the feeling - when you submit an application that’s never to be heard from again. The issue is that recruiters are inundated with resumes every day and it takes time to sort through them, on top of other responsibilities like screening candidates, administrative work, and so on. Getting in front of the right person at the right time can make this process go much faster. 

Do some research on who the recruiter is that’s hiring for the role and get in front of them. LinkedIn is a great place to research that. Sometimes the recruiter is even listed on their LinkedIn job postings. Don’t be afraid to ask for an introduction from a mutual connection or just to reach out directly. Also, see if the company you’re interested in has an events page. Perhaps they have an open house or career fair you can attend. Getting that face-to-face interaction can help you stand apart.

Create Your Personal Brand (Blogging & Portfolio)

Let’s face it – resumes are a necessary evil. It’s tough to list all of your accomplishments and experience on a one or two page document and make it sound exciting. Resumes are a great summary, but they don’t give a recruiter a full view into who you are and what you’ve done. This is where blogging and portfolios come into play. 

Depending on your line of work, you can create an online blog through sites like WordPress, a tech repository through GitHub, or a portfolio on BeHance (just to name a few examples). This is where you can let your knowledge, experience, and skills shine. On your resume you might say you did XYZ but it’s much more impactful to actually show it through these different mediums. You can extend your reach by sharing on social media and networking with people on these sites. Sometimes that can give you a great lead to a new role.

Networking 

With job seeking, sometimes it’s all about who you know. Take advantage of your established network of friendships, classmates, teachers, and colleagues. They may have an opportunity in which they can vouch for you. After all, employers LOVE employee referrals.

However, if you don’t have a strong enough network or if you need to connect with people from specific industries/companies, then you need to put yourself out there. I personally found networking through industry-specific discussions and chats on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to be super helpful. Not only did I learn a lot, but I was able to connect with some great people who were willing to help. 

There are also some great in-person opportunities, too, which either are free or low cost. Check out the networking calendar on VentureFizz, Meetup.com or your local Young Professionals chapter for opportunity. Also see if there are career fairs or industry-specific events in your local area. Make sure you get out there, get talking, share your business cards, and make a good impression!

Finding a great company and career takes more than hitting the apply button. To find the right place for you, do your research, start networking, and put yourself out there. It takes some effort to build momentum but the results are worth it!

Ashley Perez is the Talent Brand Ambassador at Carbon Black. Follow her on Twitter: @ashlaurenperez