How to Find a Job: Stop queuing on portals. Show an employer the value you can add.

Series · 15 partsStart with Part 1 →

You’re staring at a screen, scrolling through job portals, feeling like you’re in an endless queue. I’ve seen countless graduates do the same, hoping for a miracle that rarely comes. The truth is, employers aren’t just looking for resumes; they want to know what you can bring to the table. I’ve watched people succeed by shifting their focus from applications to conversations, showcasing their unique value instead of blending into the crowd. This series captures those insights. Start with the first chapter if you’re ready to change your approach, or jump to the section that speaks to your current struggle. Your next opportunity is waiting beyond that queue.

Introduction

1. A note before you begin: This chapter introduces the book’s approach to job hunting for Indian graduates.
2. Contents: This chapter provides an overview of the book ‘How to Find a Job: Stop queuing on portals.

Rethinking Job Search

3. Chapter 1. The queue is a trap: This chapter discusses the pitfalls of traditional job application methods and why they often lead to disappointment for graduates.
4. Chapter 2. What an employer actually buys: This chapter explains what employers really look for when hiring and how job seekers can present themselves effectively.

Self-Discovery

5. Chapter 3. The Lotus: This chapter introduces the Lotus exercise, a method for job-seekers to identify work that aligns with their life and values.
6. Chapter 4. Skills that travel: This chapter focuses on identifying and showcasing transferable skills that can enhance job prospects.

Hidden Job Market

7. Chapter 5. Where Indian jobs actually get filled: This chapter explores where jobs in India are actually filled, focusing on the hidden job market.
8. Chapter 6. Conversations, not applications: This chapter explains how to use informational interviews to learn about a job before applying.

Presenting Yourself

9. Chapter 7. Your website is your parachute: This chapter explains how creating a personal website can differentiate you in the job market.
10. Chapter 8. Proof, not promises: This chapter focuses on the importance of providing proof of your skills and achievements to potential employers, rather than making promises.

Targeted Approach

11. Chapter 9. Twenty companies, not two thousand vacancies: This chapter explains how to focus your job search on a small number of companies instead of applying to thousands of vacancies.
12. Chapter 10. The value letter and the meeting: This chapter explains how to craft a value letter and prepare for a meeting with a potential employer.

Starting Your Job

13. Chapter 11. Salary, family, and the first ninety days: This chapter provides guidance on how to handle the period between receiving a job offer and the first ninety days of employment.
14. Chapter 12. If the job does not exist yet: This chapter offers strategies for graduates who find that job opportunities are scarce.

Conclusion

15. A thirty-day plan: This chapter outlines a structured thirty-day plan to help job seekers in India present their value to potential employers.