No matter where you are in your career, making the leap to a new position can be a daunting process that gives even the most experienced professionals a case of the butterflies. The technology landscape is ever-evolving, which means the competition for jobs is as fierce as ever. But don’t fret—the team at Northrop Grumman is here to help you nail each step of the job-hunting journey, from search to start date.
Rock Your Job Search
1. Searching through a slew of job titles, descriptions and requirements can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to start with you. Before you begin your search, take time to identify the skills you bring to the table. This will help you zero in on jobs that are best suited for you and will make the entire process more efficient.
2. In today’s digital age, it’s essential to define and promote your personal brand. Establishing an online presence that clearly demonstrates your talent, values and goals will help you stand out to potential employers. And where are these potential employers most likely to vet you? LinkedIn. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and be active on the site—treat it as a “living, breathing” representation of your professional life.
3. Let technology do (some of) the work for you. You can’t spend all of your time job hunting, and you can’t be everywhere at once. Setting up email alerts and phone notifications ensures you’ll be notified when a position that matches your interests pops up. Sign up on a company’s website or through an aggregate site like Indeed or Glassdoor, and experiment with different search keywords to cast a broader net and rake in more career opportunities. Also, utilize career management websites like JibberJobber to help you stay organized during your search.
Rock Your Resume
4. Although you’re likely applying to similar jobs within the same industry, it’s wise to tailor your resume to the specifics of each position. More and more companies are utilizing applicant tracking systems to find qualified candidates, and you don’t want a robot to knock you out of the running before the race has even begun. Keep the content and format of your resume clean and simple, and be sure to mirror language that’s used in the job description to highlight your relevant skills and experience—that’ll help your resume land in human hands.
5. Incorporating numbers into your resume is a surefire way to catch a recruiter’s eye. Whenever possible, quantify your career experience to demonstrate your value and provide context to your achievements. Whether you saved time, cut costs or increased profits, data and metrics will showcase that you are someone who gets real results.
Kortnie Sullivan, a Northrop Grumman recruiter gives this sage advice on adding numbers into a resume: “I recommend writing 5 or 6 bullet points for the 2 or 3 most recent positions held, and fewer bullet points for positions dating further back. Bullet points should be precise, while show-casing specific skills and achievements that are directly related to the position the candidate is applying to.”
Sullivan gives these examples for making statement and having it worded with confidence:
- Accomplished X results in X number of days….
- Ensured customer requirements were met….
- Utilized X training/experience to stay on schedule and under budget…
6. In addition to proofing (and asking others to proof for you) for typos and grammar mistakes, remember to proof for context, as well. Albrenna Richardson, Northrop Grumman recruiter gives this warning, “Common mistakes I see in technical resumes are that candidates have a list of technical tools that they have experience in listed under the skills section of their resume. However, they do not provide specific detail on how they have used those tools under the description of their current and past positions.”
Rock Your Interview
7. Before you show up and shake any hands, research the company, its mission and its culture. Stay current with industry trends that may shift business in a new direction. And gather as much information as you can about your interviewer, including reviewing their profiles on LinkedIn; you may find a connection with your interviewer with another person, a school in common, or other interest. The more homework you do beforehand, the better prepared you’ll be to answer any questions that come your way with intelligence, confidence and poise.
8. As you learn more about the company, prepare your own questions for the interviewer. Take full advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the company in order to determine whether or not the role is a good fit for you. Asking insightful questions will also position you as a thoughtful, highly-engaged (and more desirable) candidate.
Jessica DeVilbiss, Northrop Grumman recruiter, strongly recommends that candidates ask questions at the interview, “At the most basic level, it shows you are interested in the role and that you have done your research. It is impossible to cover everything about a role, the company and the culture in the interview process so your questions tell the hiring team you value and that you are thoughtful about the position and what’s next for you.” DeVilbiss continued, “Additionally, it’s your opportunity to validate this is the right role for you. Ask those questions.”
Questions you might consider asking are: How will I be evaluated in this role? What are some of the biggest challenges/success facing the department currently? What brought you to this company/role? What keeps you here.
9. Always send a “thank you” note following your interview. Be genuine and gracious and double-check for typos! Express appreciation to those who took the time to meet with you, reiterate your enthusiasm for the job and leave the door open for continued communication. You never know—a simple note could give you the edge in a tight competition! And in this day and age, an email thank you note is perfectly acceptable. If you don’t have the email address for the interviewer(s), ask the recruiter you’re working with the forward the note on your behalf.
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