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Job Hunting Strategies

Job Hunting Strategies: How to Be Proactive, Effective & Memorable

The modern job market is competitive, fast-paced, and often automated, which means standing out requires strategy, persistence, and thoughtful action.

Successful job hunting relies on a mix of self-evaluation, focused research, and active interaction with prospective employers. This involves identifying your strengths and career aspirations, exploring companies, customizing your resume and cover letters, building professional connections, and maintaining determination throughout the job search.

This article explores practical job hunting strategies designed to help you stand out and achieve success.

1. The Proactive Approach

The most successful candidates take control of the process, leveraging online platforms and personal networks to create visibility and opportunities. Being proactive demonstrates initiative and helps you stand out in competitive job markets.

LinkedIn Search and Networking

  • Proactive Messaging: Instead of just clicking “apply,” use LinkedIn to find recruiters or hiring managers for the companies on your list. Send them a personalized message expressing your interest and highlighting a key accomplishment from your CV. Send the message tailored to each company and each role, make it easy for the people that might help you.
  • Targeted Engagement: Don’t just follow a company; actively engage with their content. Leave thoughtful comments on posts from employees and leaders you admire. This “slow burn” approach can make your name recognizable before you even apply.
  • Keyword Optimization: Just as with a CV, optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords from your target roles to ensure you show up in recruiter searches.

Building Your Network

  • Start with Your Existing Circle: Begin by mapping your current network, including former colleagues, classmates, and family friends.
  • Offer Value First: Approach networking with a mindset of offering help and support, not just asking for it. Share useful articles or insights with your contacts, or offer to make an introduction if you see a connection.
  • Quality over Quantity: Focus on building a smaller number of deep, authentic connections rather than collecting hundreds of contacts you don’t interact with.
  • Be Consistent: Networking isn’t a one-off effort. Make it part of your weekly routine to check in with people, comment on updates, and keep your visibility high.

 

While meeting your network, please make sure you have worked and build your buyer persona, who you are, what you want, what’s your experience, goals and qualities. Never do an: I am looking to work in tech but I don’t know where I could fit. Homework done please.

2. Organizing and Tracking Your Job Search

Job hunting can quickly become overwhelming without a clear system. Tracking your progress, prioritizing targets, and maintaining organized records helps you stay strategic and efficient.

Include in the tracker people you know working for the companies you have selected as your target companies. If you don’t know anyone directly, who do I know that could know them? And if not, who is the recruiter, who is the head of talent.

The Target Company List (The "60 Rule")

  • Methodical Creation: Create your list of 60 companies by using a spreadsheet with categories, as you suggested. Big tech, scale ups, traditional business with tech departments. Include columns for company name, location, roles of interest, and the names of key contacts you’ve identified.

job spreadsheet

  • Research and Prioritization: Research each company on your list. Use platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and the company’s own website to understand their culture, values, and whether they are a good fit for you. Prioritize based on your motivation level and the likelihood of finding an internal contact.

Data Management

  1. Use a Spreadsheet or Project Management Tool: Track every application. Your spreadsheet should include: TEAL
    • Company Name
    • Job Title and URL
    • Date of Application
    • Hiring Manager/Recruiter Contact Name
    • Date of Last Follow-Up
    • Status (Applied, Interviewing, Offer, etc.
  • Save Everything: Create a folder system to save each tailored CV and cover letter, as well as the original job description. This is crucial for interview preparation and a record of what you submitted.
  • Measure Progress: Every 2–3 weeks, review your tracker. Look for trends: Are you getting callbacks? If not, is it your CV, your outreach, or your targeting?

3. The Referral Advantage

Leveraging connections strategically can open doors that are otherwise hard to access, helping you move faster through the hiring process and gain credibility with potential employers.

Referrals can dramatically increase your chances of landing an interview. People are more likely to respond to candidates who come recommended, and referrals often bypass initial HR screening.

Managing Referrals (The "20" and "5" Rules)

To manage referrals strategically, many job seekers follow the “20” and “5” rules:

The “20” Rule:

Reach out to around 20 people in your network or extended network to explore potential referral opportunities. Not everyone will be able to help, so contacting a larger group increases your chances of finding someone who can advocate for you.

The “5” Rule:

From those 20 contacts, focus on the 5 most promising connections. These are the people worth nurturing with meaningful engagement and follow-up, increasing the likelihood of securing a referral.

  • The Power of Referrals: A referral is the most effective way to land an interview. Studies show that referred candidates are 4x more likely to be hired.
  • How to Ask: When you contact an internal employee, don’t ask for a job directly. Instead, ask for an “informational interview” to learn more about the company and their role. If the conversation goes well, you can then ask for their advice on how to get a referral.
  • Follow-Up is Key: Once a referral is made, be extra prepared for the interview. Recruiters expect referred candidates to have a better understanding of the company. Keep your referrer updated on your progress and send a thank-you note.
  • Leverage Weak Ties: Research shows “weak ties” (acquaintances, not close friends) often lead to more job opportunities, because they connect you to new networks. Don’t ignore distant connections.

4. Attending Events

Networking—whether in-person or online—is a powerful way to discover opportunities, gain industry insights, and build lasting professional relationships. Approaching events with intention and strategy can turn casual interactions into meaningful connections that support your career growth.

  • Preparation is Key: Before attending any event (virtual or in-person), research the companies and people who will be there. Have a clear goal in mind (e.g., meet 3 new people, ask 1 question during Q&A).
  • Elevator Pitch: Be ready to introduce yourself in 30 seconds — who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for.
  • The Follow-Up: The real work begins after the event. Connect with the people you met on LinkedIn within 24 hours and send a personalized message that references something specific from your conversation.
  • Keep Relationships Warm: If you only reach out when you need something, your networking will feel transactional. Instead, share updates or resources periodically to keep contacts engaged.
networking

What NOT To Do (Common Job Hunting Mistakes)

  • Generic LinkedIn Messages: “Hi, can you refer me?” or “Please check my CV” without context is a red flag. Personalize every message by mentioning something specific about the company or their role.
  • Mass Applying Without Strategy: Spraying 200 CVs via “Easy Apply” usually leads to silence. It signals lack of effort and preparation.
  • Being Entitled or Rude: Assuming people owe you a referral or a reply will damage your reputation quickly. Always approach with humility and gratitude.
  • Neglecting Follow-Up: Meeting someone once and never reaching out again = wasted opportunity. Not sending a thank-you note after an interview = missed impression.
  • Overlooking Online Presence: A half-complete LinkedIn profile or posts that don’t align with your professional goals can harm you. Recruiters check your digital footprint.
  • Not Practicing Interview Prep: Getting an interview and “winging it” is one of the fastest ways to lose an opportunity. Always prepare stories, structure, and examples.

 

Final Note

Job hunting isn’t just about applying. It’s about building a system: networking, referrals, targeted applications, and strategic follow-ups. Combine structure (your “60-20-5” rule) with genuine human connection, and you’ll not only get more interviews—you’ll also stand out as someone who’s proactive, prepared, and intentional.

But here’s the thing: job hunting strategies is just the beginning of the journey. The rest is turning that research into a real job offer—and that’s where platforms like Gogotechy come in.

Gogotechy isn’t just another career site; it’s built on a unique methodology that prepares you for every stage of the hiring process:

  • Stand Out: Build impeccable CVs and LinkedIn profiles with insider tips. Job Hunting Strategies. 
  • Interview Confidence: Master interviews with the proven NAILED framework, designed by former Google, Meta, and TikTok recruiters.
  • Maximize Opportunities: Learn how to negotiate offers and unlock your true earning potential.
  • Real Results: With a 75% success rate within 3 months and candidates hired at companies like Google, Airbnb, Microsoft, and Spotify, it’s a proven pathway into tech.

 

So as you experiment with skills and roles, remember you don’t have to navigate the hiring maze alone. Platforms like GoGoTechy bridge the gap between “I think I want this job” and “I got hired for it.”