HELP - Back on the job hunt and in search of a WFH job.

Anonymous

February 24,2023 at 5:12PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

HELP - Back on the job hunt and in search of a WFH job.

I’ve been at my current company approaching 2 years soon. I was promoted very quickly, for which I’m so grateful, but I’m not very happy there. I’m not learning enough skills in the job that are allowing me to grow and take with me elsewhere. As time goes on and the layers peel back, I’m learning there are a lot of things that don’t feel right and don’t sit well with me - misalignment in values and integrity. And my manager’s micromanagement makes the day-to-day feel frustrating and defeating (and yes, I’ve tried talking to them about it, but nothing ever changes).

All this to say that I’ve made the decision to start searching again. In my experience, I’ve always had a lot of trouble job searching (maybe everyone’s experience is like this?). I apply to countless jobs and never hear back and it feels defeating. Does anyone have any tips or recommendations for applying and landing a job (sooner rather than later)? I’m looking for something that is remote/wfh.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

10 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

10 Comments

Join the conversation

KatFebruary 24,2023 at 5:25PM UTC
Networking, updating your LinkedIn profile and resume. Target your resume to each job-be selective. No need to apply to dozens of jobs-think quality over quantity. Find a few companies you want to work for and tailor your resume appropriately. Make sure your resume (and cover letter if needed) includes all the skills and duties mentioned in the ad.
AnonymousFebruary 26,2023 at 1:39PM UTC
I was laid off in the fall and am now in a new role I secured early December. I agree with the below comments of quality vs quantity and make sure your LinkedIn, resume and cover letter are up to date and tailored. In my recent experience, fully remote jobs are flooded with applicants and you have to compete with the applicants from whole country. I still got interviews but it’s much tougher. Most jobs I found were hybrid and wanted you to be in local office 2-3 days a week. Of course this depends on industry and role, but that is my experience. I think it’s important to apply to jobs that are realistic for your background and skill set. I think a lot of people apply for jobs that aren’t, just because it’s online and figure they might as well put their hat in the ring approach. I had a very high rate of interviews to resumes sent. Also, I did reach out to a few hiring managers directly just to make sure they received my information and to state my interest. In the end I got a great job I applied through LinkedIn ad, but I was very much a perfect match and had three rounds of interviews. For me, networking really never went too far, but my former colleagues knew I was looking and tried to find roles due to the mass layoff at our org. Also, make sure you have solid references ahead of time that can truly speak to your work. And I sent my references the job description and we spoke through any potential questions since I knew the recruiter would ask for examples (which he did, and my references were well prepped). Good luck!
AnonymousFebruary 26,2023 at 4:19PM UTC
Not all job postings are real. Some are posted publicly, even if the company is going with an internal candidate. And some are posted indefinitely with no intent to hire soon. You didn't mention your industry, but researching the company, and networking a bit to learn about them can help. Also referrals are great.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 26,2023 at 11:47PM UTC
I haven't used them personally but for remote jobs ---> FlexJobs.com
Kathy LeskiFebruary 27,2023 at 2:17PM UTC
Stalk the recruiters... When a recruiter name is provided, send them a short elevator pitch letting them know you applied and asking when they expenct to start reviewing applicants. Whatever that timeframe is, say 2 weeks.. then at 3 weeks ask them how things are progression. Don't be afraid to use your network. If you don't know who the recruiter is, especially if it's a smaller company- you can sometimes find the recruiter on Linkedin by going to the company page on LinkedIn, select people, then search in people for "recruiter" or "Talent" - Even at a large company I picked a senior person who did get back to me with the name of the recruiter for that role. It doesn't guarantee you a job, but I have found I'll get an interview most of the time, or at least a note right away if I'm not a fit. It's the not knowing anything that is frustrating for all job seekers. Don't get discouraged. It's not you, it's them!
AnonymousFebruary 27,2023 at 3:04PM UTC
Ditto on what's been mentioned about leveraging your network. Continue applying and catering key words in the resume, cover letter, & story to the jobs you want, but on top of that, reach out to any connections you may have on the inside for a referral or recommendation to the hiring team. Some places offer referral bonuses, so there's incentive for employees to help fill a position with a candidate they can vouch for. Depending what industry you're in, a resource like this might be helpful: https://weworkremotely.com/
Good luck!
AnonymousFebruary 27,2023 at 3:04PM UTC
I’ll echo the suggestion to pursue a referral if possible. Consider spending time to figure out how your existing network might offer an entry point or connection to an org of interest (think the Six Degrees of Separation-game). In my experience, someone internal vouching for me and personally sharing my resume with the hiring manager has been key to securing the first phone screen interview every time.
Another suggestion I’ve used (from career coach Jade M. Chapman) is to send a qualifications matrix with your resume. It’s a simple table that bullets the role’s job requirements/preferences on the left and precisely how you meet those criteria on the right.
Best wishes.
AyianFebruary 27,2023 at 3:49PM UTC
Specifically seek work from home jobs and be aware that everyone else is too. Write your cover letter and resume to wow them including doing your research on them. Don't waste your time on organizations you aren't excited about joining. It will make those hours put into your cover letter and resume easier to handle when you're being more judicious about who you send them to.
Check out www.idealist.org for nonprofit jobs. There's a filter for remote jobs there too.
AnonymousFebruary 27,2023 at 6:40PM UTC
Use your network. I think that this could help you to find places that are vetted by people whom you trust. Look at places like blind and linkedin to check culture and use that when you are interviewing to assess if the style fits you. I do think that you could turn your current role around but you would have to change your way of managing your manager and set their expectations of what you need and what does and does not work. Sometimes in hindsight a strong close management style can teach you things you did not know you needed especially if you are earlier career.
AnonymousFebruary 27,2023 at 8:30PM UTC
I am a recruiter and can tell you that networking is key in this economy. I always weigh a referral more than an applicant who is an unknown to me. Also, don't try and change what you are doing. n a down economy you need to stick with what you know. LinkedIn is your friend. Make sure you have key words and that it mirrors your resume. I read the other comments, they are on the money as well.
Good luck