Search and Apply

STEP 1: DEFINE YOUR GOALS

Role Clarity

If you’re not sure about what role/s you’re targeting, you might technically apply for dozens of jobs, but your resume, networking efforts, and interview answers won’t resonate if you don’t have a clear direction. Research general fields you’re interested in, then identify your desired job roles. 

Example:

• • • UX/Design – UX Researcher, Product Designer, Design Strategist

    • Product – Product Manager, Product Analyst, Associate PM

    • Data/Strategy – Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Research Associate

Note: The same job can have slightly different job titles at different companies.

Review job descriptions to see which ones match your strengths and coursework. Ask yourself, do I meet at least 60-70% of the listed qualifications? Now that you determined a skills fit, can you picture yourself enjoying the daily tasks in this role? 

Pick ~3 core job functions to target. This does not mean you cannot pursue other roles in a reactive manner. We are proactively identifying job functions you are competent and would enjoy - making your search intentionally targeted and yielding better results.

Geographic Clarity- Selecting your geographic preference is significant because it directly impacts your cost of living, lifestyle, and access to in-person opportunities. You can still pursue remote opportunities or those in other geographic areas. By focusing your geographic to 1-5 primary/secondary locations, it allows you to be intentional and strategic. If you’re open to remote roles, that can be a category too but consider what time zones may fit you best.

Selective Company List

A selective company list is one critical way to turn a scattered job search into a focused and intentional search. Your selective company list should include organizations that:

• Hire for the roles you’re targeting

• Align with your geographic or remote preferences

• Align with company traits that matter to you e.g. company size, growth stage, company mission, sponsorship opportunities, etc.

This will help you focus your total time spent on your career search, and it’s easier to stay motivated when you know you are spending your time intentionally.

Pro Tip: Join the “Talent Communities” of your target companies, when possible, to receive new job alerts sooner than the LinkedIn/Indeed Integration. You’ll also stand out in their internal Application Tracking System as a potential match for new jobs.

STEP 2: STRATEGICALLY NETWORK 

Unlike casual or general networking, strategic networking involves identifying key individuals, organizations, and communities that align with the industry, role, or company you are targeting.  Strategic networking is engaging in meaningful ways to:

• Gain insider knowledge about the companies or roles you’re pursuing, which can give you a competitive edge

• Build visibility and credibility with professionals that may be decision-makers or influencers in your desired field

• Uncover job opportunities that may not be publicly advertised

• Receive advice on your search from experienced professionals in your desired field

Existing Connections – Comb your existing network to identify people who could genuinely speak to your character, work ethic, or professional skills. These might be former colleagues, mentors, classmates, supervisors, or collaborators—anyone who has seen you in action and could confidently vouch for your abilities if asked for a reference, referral, or endorsement. Prioritize these relationships when seeking advice or introductions. 

Utilize the Discover page to review other networking resources to grow and curate your network.

Note: You should still actively engage in general networking. While targeted networking has a higher % yield of success, there are still opportunities that arise “randomly”.

STEP 3: APPLY OR EXPRESS INTEREST

Targeted Application involves submitting a crafted resume, cover letter, and any required supporting materials that directly address the job description and company. When possible, you can incorporate insights from networking, research, and industry knowledge to speak directly to the priorities and challenges of the role. After submitting, you may send a polite follow-up message with relevant contacts in the company to reinforce your interest.

Expressions of Interest is often less formal, exploratory communication sent to an organization when a specific job may not be advertised. Expressions of interest typically are an email to a manager or recruiter (1) introducing yourself, (2) how your skills and experience could add value, and (3) request an informational meeting or consideration for upcoming opportunities.

Job Boards

If you have joined a Talent Community at an organization, you will utilize direct applications and direct notifications of newly posted roles. Aside from Talent Communities, choosing the right job boards means focusing on platforms that align with your industry, experience level, and career goals. Start with LinkedIn, Handshake, and Indeed for broad visibility, then supplement with niche sites tailored to your field such as Dribbble (design and branding), Wellfound (startups), BuiltIn (Tech, Engineering, Design, Customer Success), etc.

Setting job alerts on your chosen job boards is a simple yet powerful way to stay proactive in your job search. By customizing alerts based on your preferred roles, locations, keywords, and companies, you ensure that relevant opportunities are delivered directly to your inbox. This saves time, helps you stay organized, and increases your chances of being among the first applicants.

• Welcome to the Jungle (Formerly Otta) - Focus on Tech, Marketing, Product Management, Design, Engineering, Customer Support, Sales

• BuiltIn - Tech-related roles, Engineering, Design, Product Management, Data

• JobRight - Tech-related, involving AI and ML. Developers, Engineers, Product Management, and Researchers

• LinkedIn - Professional networking platform that doubles as a strong job board

• Indeed - Broad, volume-bsed job search across all industries

• YCombinator - Curated job board featuring open roles at startups backed by ycombinator (startup accelerator)

• Wellfound - Curated job board featuring open roles at startups

STEP 4: TRACK YOUR EFFORTS

"Job App Trackers" are a common thing, but rather than only tracking your applications and less-important details - you're building a Job SEARCH Tracker. This will contain all of the targeted companies, resourceful contacts and communities, so you don't have to rely on brainpower for all this searching. Consider the following categories when building your tracker. This is not a document to take priority over the actual search, meaning update it when it's convenient, or set aside time to do it weekly or bi-weekly. Here is a Job Search Tracker Template (Excel) to use or brainstorm.

Geographic – Research where you would actually live? Consider lifestyle, cost of living, climate, proximity to family. List these metropolitans out in a tracker such as Excel or Notion.

Companies – Research companies in those cities via LinkedIn, Crunchbase, Wellfound, Fortune Inc., etc. List these out in your tracker. If there are companies that you definitely want to target but not located in your primary geographics, you can add here as well.

Connections - Also pull out anyone that you are connected that may share insights about their role, company, or career path. Add these names to your tracker. As you continue to network, make sure to add new contacts to your tracker.

Communities/organizations – Research relevant organizations or communities that fall into the following categories and align with your geographic location, target industry, or desired job function. Create a separate list of potential communities you’d like to engage. You can create a column on your job search tracker so signal if a company is an affiliate to any of these communities.

Additional Search & Apply Resources