Chasing the Fionist Dream

So you’re looking for a job.

Maybe you’ve been laid off, recently moved, hate something about your current job, or are looking to rejoin the workforce after an extended parental leave. If any of these things ring true, this post is for you.

The market is hard these days. Everyone says it is. Sometimes it seems like you will never land the job of your dreams – or any job at all. But don’t lose hope just yet.

You are special and unique. When you aren’t drowing in imposter syndrome and self-doubt, you know this. Your loved ones know this. You have something valueable to bring to the table. You just have to figure out how to market it. And in Israel, it’s not only about what you know – it’s about who you know. Protexia (getting things done by means of personal connections) is real. It grants you access to job opportunities before they are advertised and makes sure that your CV makes it into the right hands. It’s time to leverage those connections and build new ones.

How do I do that?

1. Perfect your elevator speech. This is the 30-second answer you give when people ask you what you are good at and what you are looking for. Practice it in the mirror, with your spouse and loved ones. Sound capable and confident. You can do this!
   
   
2. Update your CV and your Linkedin. Stress all of the ways you brought value to your workplaces. Use numbers and percentages where you can. Do your best and then ask friends and AI tools to go over it. Consider their recommendations, but remember that the ultimate decisions are yours. This is your CV. You need to stand behind it.
   
   
3. Tell everyone you are looking. Your friends and family, your kids’ friends’ parents, the other parents at the park. Everyone. This is your answer to the casual “Mah nishma?” or “How’s it going?” You never know who’s looking to hire – or knows someone who is. Have your elevator speech ready.
   
   
4. Reach out to your network. These are people who you worked with in the past, people you went to school with, and other people you know who went on to do awesome things. Use Linkedin to search people and find out what they do. Tell them that you are looking, what you are looking for, and would like to buy them coffee or speak on the phone or Zoom for twenty minutes and pick their brains. You’ll be surprised how happy people are to help – even if you haven’t been in touch for years. It’s also worth meeting up with other unemployed people who will understand your situation and be able to share their tactics and leads.
   
   
5. Make a list of companies/organizations that you would LOVE to work for. Use Linkedin or other social media to find out if you know anyone who works there – or anyone who can connect you to anyone who works there – and contact them. Follow them on social media and learn all about the companies. This way, when an opportunity arises, you’ll know.
   

When applying for a job:

1. Tailor your CV and cover letter/email to the job ad. Use the same language and keywords. Unless every job you apply for has the exact same title and requirements, you should have more than one version of your CV, depending on which skills and accomplishments you want to highlight. If the job ad is in Hebrew, send your CV in Hebrew and reach out in Hebrew. If the ad is in English, reach out in English and send the English version of your CV.
   
   
2. Apply anyway. If you only have 80% of the required skills and experience listed on a job ad but believe you’d still excel at the job, apply anyway. These qualifications are a wish list, not set in stone. You can learn the rest on the job. The only exception to this is in the civil service/public sector. For some reason, those jobs require you to match the requirements 100%.
   
   
3. Get referred. Your CV has a much higher chance of being seen if someone from inside the company refers you. Before applying on the company’s website or via Linkedin, check if you know anyone inside the company who can pass your CV along.
   
   
4. Know your worth. Use tools like Glassdoor and salary tables (such as Drushim or Ethiosia) to find out what people in your field with your experience should be earning. Go into interviews knowing what you want to earn. You have significantly more negotiating leverage – regarding both salary and benefits – before you sign the contract than you do once you already work there. So make sure you get it right the first time.
   

Ace the interview.

1. Do your homework. Familiarize yourself with the company before the interview. Read their website. Look for recent news articles about them. What do they specialize in? Who are their competitors? What can you add to the company to make it even more successful? Knowing the answers to these questions shows you are serious about the role.
   
   
2. Tell me about yourself. When prospective employers ask you this question, they are asking you to summarize your professional experience and explain why it makes you the ideal candidate for the job. They don’t care that you have three kids or that you were born in some obscure town. They want to know why they should hire you over another applicant. This answer is something you can compose in advance and practice much like your elevator speech.
   
   
3. Radiate confidence. Smile. Lean forward. Talk about “when” you work with them, not “if”. Try to avoid “um”, “uh”, or “er”. Believe in yourself and they will too.
   
   
4. It’s about them, not you. Don’t talk about why this position would be good for you. (“I’m looking for a hybrid job with TenBis and I was so excited to see that you offer that!”) They are not doing you a favor by hiring you. They are looking to get a particular job done. Talk about how you will help them meet their goals – and surpass them.
   
   
5. Ask questions. At the end of the interview, when they ask if you have any questions, your answer should always be yes. Interviews go both ways. Not only is the company interviewing you, you are interviewing them as well – kind of like dating. This is your opportunity to learn more about the role and the company. What is the company culture like? Where does the company see itself – and this role – in five years? Why is this position open? Did someone leave or is it a new role? These are our favorites, but be sure to add your own. Asking your own questions also shows the company that you are a thinking, creative, curious person, which are all good qualities to have in an employee.
   
   
6. Practice makes perfect. Interviewing is a skill that has to be honed like any other. Find tutorials online (ChatGPT is also helpful for this) and practice your responses – in the mirror, with your friends and family, or even video yourself answering the questions to see what you can improve. Learn from your mistakes and do better next time.
   

Don’t give up.

It may be hard to pick yourself up and try again after a rejection, especially if you’ve been searching for a while. We’ve all been there, and it’s rough. Be nice to yourself and stay optimistic. Go for a walk, visit to the beach, meet a friend for coffee, or do whatever brings you joy and revitalizes you. Believe in yourself and you WILL get there.

Aim for the stars. We believe in you!

Have you ever been out of work? What was it like?

Like what you see here? Subscribe so you never miss a post.