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Tired of Job Board Rejections?  Ready to Get Bold? Unconventional Job Search Strategies that Work

Brooke Dunwell

Guy place chess and making a move


Let’s be honest, applying to job boards in today’s market is becoming more frustrating and deflating than ever before and job seekers are receiving a lot of auto responses and auto rejections even though the position may be a perfect fit.  Also, there are so many job openings that are not advertised. If your job board applications aren’t working, it is time to get creative.  


Here are ten effective job search strategies you can use to tap into the hidden job market and stand out from the intense competition. 


1. Reverse Job Hunting

  • Create a "Value Pitch" website/landing page about yourself

  • Run targeted LinkedIn ads to reach hiring managers

  • Develop case studies showing how you'd solve company problems

  • Create sample work/proposals for target companies


2. The "Warm Lead" Strategy

  •  Research companies' vendors/partners

  •  Network with former employees 

  •  Connect with the company's investors/board members

  •  Follow company executives' social media activity

  •  Engage meaningfully with company content


3. The "Create Your Role" Approach

  •  Identify company pain points through research

  •  Develop detailed solution proposals

  •  Pitch a position that doesn't exist yet

  •  Present ROI analysis for your proposed role

  •  Create a "first 90 days" plan


4. Strategic Volunteering/Consulting

  •  Offer pro-bono consulting to target companies

  •  Join industry boards/committees

  •  Lead professional association projects

  •  Create valuable industry content/research

  •  Speak at relevant conferences


5. The "Already an Employee" Method  

  •  Act as if you're already part of the team

  •  Share industry insights on company posts

  •  Create useful resources for their audience

  •  Build relationships before positions open

  •  Demonstrate value through microprojects


6. Professional Brand Positioning

  •  Create industry trend analysis newsletters

  •  Host relevant professional podcasts/webinars 

  •  Write guest posts for industry publications

  •  Develop useful tools/templates for your field

  •  Build authority through thought leadership


7. The "Network Gap" Strategy

  •  Map your network's network

  •  Identify valuable missing connections

  •  Engineer "serendipitous" meetings

  •  Create reasons for introductions

  •  Build strategic relationship bridges


8. Alternative Platform Approach

  •  Use platforms beyond LinkedIn/job boards

  •  Contribute to industry GitHub repositories

  •  Participate in relevant Slack communities

  •  Engage in professional Discord servers

  •  Join industry-specific social platforms


9. The "Value First" Framework

  •  Solve public company problems

  •  Share solutions openly

  •  Document improvements/processes

  •  Create free resources

  •  Build public case studies


10. Creative Attention-Getting

  •  Send innovative project proposals

  •  Create company-specific microsites

  •  Develop targeted social campaigns

  •  Design solution presentations

  •  Craft personalized video pitches



These strategies require time and effort but the ROI could be worth it.  Investing time in being strategic and doing due diligence will get you results faster than applying to job boards for three to six months.  Choose one approach that resonates with you and give it a whirl. At the very least, you will learn something, make new connections, expand your network, and be unforgettable.   


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