About a year ago, I left my job for a sabbatical; several months later, I (very slowly) started a job search. In this post, I reflect on my own experiences and share what I have learned in the hope that it may be helpful to you in some way, even when I understand that everyone’s journey is unique and that what works for me may not work for you.
The current employment context
The employment context in tech has been challenging for quite some time already. Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and others cut thousands of jobs about a year ago. There have been more cuts in tech and also in the consulting business. Companies cite strategic reasons behind this, mainly the slowing economy. Interestingly, companies this size still hire some while laying off many while they readjust.
But there is another reason we have heard quite a bit lately: AI is coming for our jobs (IMF report). Well, while shares go up 7% to an all-time high at SAP, they are cutting 8,000 jobs because, you know, they are preparing for the age of AI.
But this is only big tech, you say. Is it?
Mozilla is also cutting 60 jobs (5% of their workforce).
One of the effects is that there are many great, skilled people looking for a job in this space, and the job searcher-to-job opening ratio is much higher than it used to be only a few months ago.
The back-to-office effect
The pandemic hit some four years ago already. It certainly changed jobs. Remote is here to stay, they said. One year later, they said that the end of remote work was nigh.
Over the last several months, I have seen an increasing number of organizations requiring people to return to the office, most recently IBM. Hybrid is becoming the norm, and the new standard is three days in the office. Given this reality, companies that spend significant amounts of money on office space are cutting it down (e.g. Meta recently paid £149m to break its lease on a central London office building).
Fully remote roles are still available, and there are job boards devoted to such. But remember that those, especially if they are global roles, are even fewer, and the potential candidates can come from all over the world. i.e. there is more competition for them.
(note: if you’re looking for a less senior and more IT-oriented role, e.g. DevOps engineer, software developer, UI designer, or similar ones, chances are much higher for you)
The issue with job descriptions and application processes
Do you know what you want to do next? Maybe you want to be a product manager, research director, or chief of staff. You may clearly understand what that entails and start looking for such jobs.
Unluckily for you (and me), those mean different things to different people, so what you thought was the role of a product manager may match what organization A thinks it is, but not how organization B defines it. Job descriptions for the same position title vary significantly from organization to organization. Frankly, some organizations still need to fully know what they want for some advertised positions, making your life (and mine) even more difficult.
And if you have a hybrid profile, you know well you do, but it’s difficult to explain, i.e. you’re a Chimeralogist (like me), then you have an additional issue to take care of: how to sell yourself well enough.
The application process can be a frustrating experience. Often, the procedures are outdated and require you to spend hours filling out the same information that is already mentioned in your CV, LinkedIn profile, and other places. Sometimes, you don’t even receive a response from the employers, leaving you wondering whether they have rejected your application or are still considering it.
But enough background (and complaining). Let’s get to what I learned and how it may help you.
Lessons learned
1. Establish a criteria
This is my top recommendation. Make yourself these questions and note them down:
- What kind of job am I interested in?
- What features must the job have, what would be good to have, and which ones do I prefer to avoid?
- What kind of/level of position am I interested in?
- Do I like to stay at the level I was? Go higher or lower? Would I sacrifice my level and pay to enjoy my job more?
- What type of organization do I want to work for?
- For-profit, non-profit, big, small, local, international, what values they must have
- Where do I want to work (physically)?
- At an office, from home, nomadically?
- How much time do I prefer to work?
- Full-time, part-time (if so, how much; e.g. how many days per week)?
Weight your criteria and decide how flexible you want to be. For example, I’m used to travelling internationally but wanted to stay in the same location. So, I avoided openings requiring me to move, favouring remote work.
2. Limit job board reviewing time
You will have to review hundreds of openings that will not (even remotely) fit you because the job descriptions are all over the place, the filtering options are scarce, and the organization you want to work for may not even be posting there. Infinite scroll is your enemy.
Try to concentrate on the narrowly focused boards related to your interests instead of the more general ones. Also, check the career pages of organizations you would like to work for.
3. Talk to people in your network
As a coach put it to me, it is much more likely that your next job will come through your network when you are at an advanced point in your professional career. And they were right.
Talk to people. Reconnect with people you haven’t talked to in a while, even if it has been years, but you still appreciate that person’s opinion. Get in contact with many. You’ll be surprised. Someone who you thought you knew well may not even respond. Someone you thought you didn’t know will spend hours talking with you. All will have their things to add, and all will be valuable in one way or another. I’m grateful to have been able to spend countless hours doing so.
4. Be patient and thoughtful
Finding the right job takes time and only happens after a while. Plan as much as you can, be proactive, and wait for the right thing to come (if you can). Take your time picking something, even if you fear not getting anything. Don’t despair.
Thoughtful applications are also part of the process. Do not apply to jobs for the sake of doing so. Take your time reviewing the opening and filling out the applications correctly, e.g. writing an excellent customized cover letter stating your strengths and why you are passionate about the specific role.
One of the main things I wanted to find out when I was on the other side of the table (as an employer) was to find out how interested the candidate was in working for the organization and why. And I can tell you, it was always noticeable.
5. Be prepared for rejection
There are many others interested in the position you want. Even when you advance in the hiring process and reach the final stage, you may still not get the job. In the end, there’s only one available.
You may hear different reasons for rejection (too junior, too senior, we decided to proceed with a more suitable candidate, etc.). Still, a rejection is not a reflection of your skills or experience.
As an employer, I’ve struggled to decide upon the two, three, or five runner-ups more than once because they were all excellent, and the differences were minimal. This is a good place to be as an employer, making it more difficult to err because no matter who you choose, you will get someone great for your team. But it’s certainly not as good when you are a candidate.
6. Go where you are celebrated
Someone recently introduced me to trophy jobs, jobs that people covet for their status more than their substance. It’s mostly a matter of values.
True that the title and the pay are sometimes too appealing to pass, but would you like to get such in a toxic environment? — Remember, establish a criteria and stick to it.
We spend much of our lives in our work environment, so we better find one where we can enjoy what we do and people enjoy working with us. If you feel there are places where you are celebrated and that fit your criteria, put those at the top of your list. It will make a significant difference.
Parting thoughts
As I said at the beginning, this post is based on my own experience and case at this time, but I hope it helps you better navigate your own job search. Keep searching, and don’t despair!
el ñasco a la barrapan 