Career Path for Job Hoppers
1. In the beginning, you blast out resumes through job boards. After getting hired, plan ahead and proactively build your influence—leaving colleagues, peers, managers, and executives with a strong impression.
2. Once past that initial phase, the most important thing is work that comes from your manager, boss, and industry influence. Your former bosses, managers, or colleagues will take you along when good opportunities arise. Core employees at your target companies will refer you—these referrals usually get priority. Or else, someone with credibility in the industry endorses and recommends you.
3. The next level up is becoming a top-tier expert, so much so that the bosses or executives at your target companies personally invite you.
In the mid-to-late stages of your career, social connections, influence, and reach matter a lot. Appropriately showcasing yourself to the outside world—whether through self-media, contributions to well-known publications, industry events, open-source projects, or influential side projects—is one way to boost your visibility.
What should you rely on when job hunting?
In the early stage, it’s your degree and educational background.
In the mid stage, it’s your project experience and industry skills.
In the late stage, it’s your social network, industry connections, and influence.