Hi Reader,

I hope you're having an awesome weekend! I’m Joshua Kain, CEO of Virtual Wizards. If you’re reading this, you’ve either subscribed to my newsletter or applied for a job through us. Either way, welcome! In the Career Strategist, my goal is to give you valuable tips and insights to help you crush your job search.

So, let's get started.

Let's Go Back in Time to 2020

Once upon a time, you had an onsite job. You clocked in and out. Your skills were confined to a cubicle, and your commute ate up a significant part of your day. Then the pandemic hit, and suddenly, companies everywhere began offering remote jobs to accommodate social distancing.

In 2020, remote work surged in popularity. Companies were even founded to promote remote jobs. Zoom calls replaced in-person meetings, and Slack became the go-to platform for team communication. Most remote workers started equipping their home offices with desks and ergonomic chairs, and many embraced the concept of the "WFH" (work-from-home) lifestyle. Virtual backgrounds became a fun way to personalize video calls, and fitness apps boomed as people sought ways to stay active at home.

By 2024, remote work has become a mainstream practice across various industries. While exact percentages vary, a significant portion of the workforce now works remotely or in a hybrid model. Companies have invested heavily in this shift. Why? Because remote work allows companies to reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining physical office spaces, such as rent, utilities, and maintenance expenses.

And let's face it, working remotely is AWESOME! The benefits are undeniable: a better work-life balance, increased flexibility, less micromanagement, and reduced commuting costs, which means more money in your pocket.

So enough of the history lesson. Now, how can you use your unique abilities to land a remote job.

Let’s dive in 👇

99% of People Get Job Searching Horribly Wrong

Many people believe that applying to as many jobs as possible will yield results. However, finding the right jobs to apply to requires patience and a strategic approach. It's crucial to align your skills with the positions you’re applying for.

As a recruiter, I often encounter candidates whose skills don’t match the roles they're applying for. For example, at Virtual Wizards, over 80% of applicants are rejected because their skills don't meet the job requirements.

That being said, it's okay to apply for a role if you don't have much experience in one of two skills that are listed as "Good to have". Just make sure you understand the job fully and have a passion for it.

Pro tip: Never make a lateral move in your career; always aim to move up.

Research and Target

Instead of applying to as many roles as possible, follow these steps:

1. Research: Understand the companies and roles you're interested in and start using tools such as LinkedIn or Apollo.io to gather information. Build an email list to identify employees and hiring managers at those companies.
2. Personalized your Resume: Personalize your resume and cover letter for each application.

Prepare and Apply

Once you've identified your target positions, you need to:

• Polish Your Resume: Ensure it highlights the most relevant skills and experiences.
• Craft a killer Cover Letter: Make it specific to the job you're applying for.
• Prepare for Interviews: Practice common questions and develop your personal pitch.

Follow Up

Finally, to get ahead of the 99%, you need to take consistent follow-up actions. After an interview, sending a thoughtful thank-you note, staying in touch with the hiring manager, and demonstrating continued interest can make a huge difference. Just remember to space out any communication to once per week.

It's hard—but worth it in the end.

Here are a few action items for you:

1. Review and Target: Identify 5-20 job opportunities that fit your skills and career goals. Focus on targeted applications instead of blanket-applying.
2. Research: Understand each company's vision, CEO, and public information. Read their "About Us" page and quarterly earnings if they're publicly traded.
3. Networking: Connect with key contacts like the recruiter and hiring manager on LinkedIn. If they don't accept, follow up with a polite email and space out interactions.
4. Follow-Up: Keep track of applications on a spreadsheet or notepad, send thank-you notes after interviews, and stay in touch with hiring managers without overwhelming them.

Find free resources below 👇

Curated Jobs

The Toolbox

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Looking for more career advice? Check out our friends at Job Surfers for career guidance.

That's all for today folks. If you enjoyed this newsletter, it would mean a lot to me if you could share it with someone who might benefit from these tips and resources.

Joshua Kain CEO @ Virtual Wizards ​​​

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PS: If you liked this content, feel free to reply to this email. I would love to hear from you!

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