How to Find a Job in less than 2 Weeks

Take your job hunt to the next level with growth hacking.

@December 30, 2024

If you are:

1. Not getting responses from your applications
2. Paying a service or a recruiter to get interviews
3. Writing every cover letter, limiting you to applying for 1-3 jobs per day
4. Unsure about which jobs you have applied for
5. Failing any of the interview processes

You are doing your job hunt the wrong way.

Let me take the next 10 minutes of your day to show you the only way to find a job in the 21st century, in less than 2 weeks.

If you can spare 10 minutes today reading this article, you have 2 weeks to try this method.

Key takeaways:

1. Job Hunt in the 21st Century

Everything you need to know about how job hunting has changed in the past decade.

2. Day 0: Pre-day

The day to get everything prepared and get “shit” done.

3. Day +1: Application Day

The day you apply to a massive amount of jobs.

4. Week +1: People Week

Selling yourself to your Friends, Family, and Fools (FFF).

5. Week +2: Interview Week

Selling yourself to the "Investors," people who will trust you after five interviews.

6. Day +14: King!

The day you get the job or multiple offers.

7. Conclusion

Job Hunt in the 21st Century

Everything you need to know about how job hunting has changed in the past decade.

The harsh truth today

Things have changed since your parents were looking for a job. Not only has the planet become more populated, but more companies are also embracing innovation, which has increased competition throughout the process.

Job Analysis

Let’s do a SWOT to better understand what’s the biggest problem to solve and how you would fit here:

I took the best aspects of Strengths and Opportunities and created a model to follow and a clear method.

Method: How to Find a Job in less than 2 Weeks?

As I told you, everything changed for a reason:

More humans = More applications = Fewer responses = Less acceptance

So my method is based on different factors:

1. Automation: It’s a harsh reality we live in. Submitting 10 application forms on paper is outdated. The 1-1 approach does not work anymore. It's more like a 100-100 rule now! So quantity and speed are important for this process to work.
2. Maintaining a high quality standard is important while scaling. It’s like a startup when they find a product-market-fit! You find it, you scale while maintaining professionalism and high quality support.
3. In the 21st century, time is money. It's hard not to be working from your 20s to your 40s. Financially, it's settling, but socially, it's awkward. So, don’t spend a minute without getting paid for your work.
4. You don’t need money to get interviews. These “guaranteed interviews” consultants use technology and their network to get you a call. However, this doesn't necessarily get you to the finish line. You can do it yourself because you are the best seller of yourself.

https://www.growflick.com/

5. Honesty is key in the whole process. It’s nice to oversell yourself and exceed expectations when you start your day on a positive note. But when that’s not the case and you fail your first assignment on the job, trust me: you will regret the day you lied on your CV.

Day 0: Pre-Day

The day to get everything prepared and get “shit” done.

Now that you know where you are at and what’s the market size, let’s start with the beginning. What you need to be ready?

Growth Hack

It's not hard to growth hack your job search. Just start thinking like a marketer in an early-stage startup with a $0 marketing budget.

• The product is you.
• You have a price, which is your salary.
• You are applying for a job title at a company.
• You find jobs on different job boards, services, or websites. This is the inbound and outbound approach of applying.
• The ICP is the ideal job. Always aim higher than expected.
• Promote yourself with your personal branding, like your CV, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile.
• The C2B model is simple: C is you, and B is the company you apply to.

Tooling

To stay on top of this experimentation, you would to equip with the best tools out there, most of them are 100% free to use:

Toolbox:

1. LinkedIn: Unfortunately, recruiters judge a person by their profile, which is your LinkedIn. It serves as your window to the professional world, so an updated profile is essential. Your network matters for your outreach. Whether you studied at a prestigious university or worked at a large corporation doesn't matter as much; people can be creative with the truth. If you have $9 to spare, spend it on the premium subscription. That way, you can more comfortably reach your 2nd or 3rd connection.
2. Figma (or equivalent): Figma is great for designing the perfect CV, iterating on newer versions, or customizing for each job position. It’s easy and free to export in high-quality PDF.
3. Notion (or equivalent): I personally use Notion for everything, and it can do much more than you might think. It can be your CRM, note-taker, AI assistant, database, or search engine. For me, it's the source of truth for my second brain.


NB:



Notion Clipper is a great Chrome extension that lets you easily drag people, jobs, and searches into a specific database you previously set up with AI.



I was able to create and manage my portfolio's backend on Notion and the front-end on Super.so, and the result is impressive.

Profile

A person is always judged by who this person is. So whatever is out there on the net is an asset:

1. LinkedIn profile: Optimize your LinkedIn profile. Focus on your photo, header, About section, Experiences vs. Projects, Education, Licenses, Skills, Recommendations, and Languages. Everything else is unnecessary.


2. CV: Iterate on a constructive CV by following this template: Contact, Profile, Technical Skills, Education, Languages, Interests, and Experiences. You can adjust various elements such as positions, colors, fonts, pictures, job titles, and skills.

CV iterations




3. GPT custom: For highly customizable job applications and cover letter generation, it is best to use a specific GPT you have configured with your experience, knowledge, and requirements. By copying and pasting each job position into the prompt, you can generate a tailored cover letter, email, message, application, etc.

Template:
You have my CV. I will send you the job description and the company and you will give me the best output of my request.
• The output should or shouldn't be in bulletpoints, depending on the questions.
• The output is as if I wrote it.
• The output should be short sentences.
• The output should be in the language of the imput.
• Always think like me and having my CV in knowledge.
4. Portfolio: Your portfolio is important because most recruiters ask for and check it when you submit an application. It can be your GitHub, a blog you wrote, a personal project, or a complex website design. Regardless, it should present a unique image of yourself, beyond your hard and soft skills.

CRM Jobs + Acquisition Channels

Let’s switch to Notion to build your acquisition growth machine for jobs.

1. Database: Prepare this database on Notion on a new page.
2. Job Link - Channel: Once you Notion Clip a job from any link you find online, whether on your phone or laptop, a new item will be automatically added with a series of AI properties previously set up. This way, by the end of the day, you can measure which acquisition channel (LinkedIn, WTTJ, Indeed, HelloWork, etc.) works best (based on recruiter responses) and where to double your efforts.
3. Job title: The job requirements are important to filter by [Job title], [Location], [Company], and [Industry]. From this information, you can also generate a [Summary] of each job in bullet points. This helps you review each job faster and filter them in your personal job search engine.
4. Customized cover letter: As I mentioned, with your own GPT, you can customize your predefined cover letter specific to the [Job title], [Industry], [Location], or any other filters or requirements you are applying to. This will help you enormously when applying in bulk.

NB: You can use Zapier to create advanced workflows between Notion and any web application you use (pre-filling information, customizable messages to recruiters, etc.).

5. (why) this company: This is an important question that an AI can help you answer effectively. Use the company's website, LinkedIn, and public information to tailor your profile. This will help you respond quickly to initial HR phone calls.

CRM People + Referrals

The same goes for the People you want to reach out to in your job hunt:

1. Name Surname: You can clip every relevant LinkedIn profile into your People CRM with predefined AI properties, e.g., Company - Job title - Profile link.
2. Don’t forget to add the first connection so that you can keep track.
3. It’s important to track the creation date of each encounter and the discussion process status to measure your performance over time.
4. You can also add email, phone number, and other information, but I prefer to keep it simple. Otherwise, you won't have time to update it. It’s your personal CRM after all!
5. When you start conversations with someone, are referred to someone, or have a scheduled meeting, use the Notion card as the note taker and the source of truth for any conversation. This can be helpful later in the interview process when you need to search for key information across all applications' second brain.

Interview Questions

It is recommended to prepare for all possible interview questions you might encounter across different processes, job titles, and types of companies. That’s why I’ve mapped out the essential questions for you:

1. General: These questions are about your profile, values, and why you are job hunting. This includes a general introduction about yourself, your aspirations, and your experiences. Think of these as the first HR call where you need to sell yourself, either in person or virtually. Yes, you become the product and need to present your story and yourself effectively.
2. Job: This section focuses on the job itself and its requirements. It includes industry-specific questions, company-specific questions, and job requirements that show you are a fit for the position, allowing you to move to the next step. AI can help you fine-tune your answers as you progress through the interview processes.
3. Hard Skills: Hard skills and past hands-on experience are often needed in advanced interviews, like technical interviews or case studies. Here, you need to demonstrate a challenge, how you solved it, your thought process, why you are looking for a new job, what skills you lack, what tools you know best, etc. This usually takes more time to prepare as you need to differentiate between your experiences with direct, concise, and ROI-based answers.
4. Soft Skills: Soft skills can vary depending on your hobbies, passions, work habits, rituals, etc. Generally, in scale-ups, focus on data, collaboration, research, and personal upskilling. Highlight your multitasking abilities.

What I generally do is apply to related jobs and train during the interview processes. That way, your story is compelling once you arrive at your dream job.

Day +1: Application Day

The day you apply to a massive amount of jobs.

Types of Applications

Application day is the job hack day, where job hunting is focused on growth hacking and lead generation, also known as job generation. This is the day you apply in bulk to any "Good" job posts available online. So, put on your growth hack hat and start prioritizing a few things:

1. Define “Good.” This is the moment where you take time to brainstorm what you want for future opportunities: what contract, where, in which industry, etc.
2. Document everything in your CRM. This way, you can easily return to it, search through the database, and find the right information anytime, anywhere, and in any format you prefer.
3. Focus on the jobs that best fit your requirements and profile. Be flexible about your requirements (location, remote, industries, etc.).
4. Prioritize the companies you want to work for. For example, I dream of working at Notion. I applied 10 times to different positions, I use Notion frequently, but I never got a response. This shows you shouldn’t only target companies you know.
5. Data is key in this experiment. When talking about data, you need to measure relevant KPIs over time, and for that, the CRM data must be updated. I categorize the data based on the status of each job opportunity and the process.

In other words, your CRM is the source of truth for your job applications.

Backlog | Priority | Applied | Reviewing | Recruitment | Rejected | Done

• Backlog: Jobs you don't see as relevant but could potentially fit the requirements.
• Priority: Jobs you need to prioritize and apply to ASAP.
• Applied: Jobs you have already applied to.
• Reviewing: Jobs pending a response, positive or negative.
• Recruitment: Jobs where you have been accepted to start the process.
• Rejected: Jobs you were rejected from.
• Done: Jobs that expired, are no longer hiring, or did not fit your profile after the first glance.

Week +1: People Week

Selling yourself to your Friends, Family, and Fools (FFF).

People Week is very important for your personal branding. Several factors can help make this week as productive as possible:

1. Ask professionals for feedback on your CV and iterate as much as you can, keeping older versions on file.


Template:

Hi [Name],

I hope everything is going well at [Company]!

I’m currently exploring new opportunities and ready to leave [Current Company], where I’ve spent the last # of years [ROI, for eg. leading the growth and product teams]

So, I’m reaching out to my network first to get feedback on [CV/Job/etc…]!

Thank you very much :)

NB: If you hear about a [Job Position] position in a [Requirements], I’m very interested!

2. If you are aiming for big corporations, ask for referrals from your friends.


Template:

Hi [Name],

[Catch up phase]

I am changing scenery from [Current Company] and saw a relevant job at [Company] that could fit my profile.

Could you refer me?

I attach my CV, LinkedIn URL and a motivation!

[Your Name]

Once your friend refers you, you still have to apply using the custom link.

3. Reach out to recruiters in your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd connections.


Template:

Hi [Name],

I’m impressed with your work [Company] have done lately and noticed you are a tech recruiter. I am currently a [Job Position] at [Current Company](ROI) and am looking for a new opportunity, ideally with a [Requirements, for g. scale-up or enterprise]

Do you have any opportunities you heard off or know someone who might be able to help?

I would be happy to hop on a call if needed.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

It's always good to promote yourself and share your job requirements with your network. You never know; recruiters often get job listings before they're posted publicly, which may help you connect with the right person at the company you're applying to.

4. Identify high profiles within your industry that your 1st connections know and can introduce you to.


Template:

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. [Catch up phrase]

I looked into your LinkedIn network and found several interesting people [Filter, for eg. who are actively recruiting]

• Full Name - Company - Position

I also saw some job openings at certain companies that could be interesting [desired Job Position] and others whose market or industry interests me.

Please see if you can connect me with these contacts or if it makes sense to do so.

Thanks again for your help!

Talk soon,

Start by chatting and learning from professionals. They may not help directly but can introduce you to their second connections, who are your third connections and otherwise unreachable.

5. If you have friends who are alumni of big leagues, this could also work:


Template:



Hi [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. It’s been a while since our respective time at [University]—fond memories of my [Degree] Class of [Year of Graduation]! I’m reaching out to you today with a small favor to ask.

My [relationship], [Your Name], has just wrapped up an impressive [WHAT] at [Company], where he [ROI]. During his time there, he [Actions]. His proven track record in [KPI] speaks volumes about his expertise and dedication.

With his entrepreneurial mindset, [Your name] has demonstrated an exceptional ability to [Quality #1]. His [Quality #2] skill set spans [Quality #3], making him an asset in any dynamic scale-up or big tech environment.

Given your current role and vast network in the [Expertise] domain, I was wondering if you might know of any opportunities or be able to connect him with someone who might be interested in his expertise.

I’d be incredibly grateful for any assistance or direction you could provide. If it helps, [Your name] is more than happy to hop on a call or send over his CV for your review.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Name] [University] [Degree] [Year of Graduation]

Week +2: Interview Week

Selling yourself to the "Investors," people who will trust you after five interviews.

If you have reached this step, it means your applications have been reviewed and you are starting to get positive responses. The process depends on the size of the company, industry, and position. However, this is the template I often encountered:

Prepare

Each call needs preparation. I always set up the same template for my calls, which I upload to Notion every time I start preparing for an interview.

HR

The HR call consists of 20-30 minutes of casual conversation. You will introduce yourself, ask basic questions, and learn more about the opportunity and next steps. This is not a technical challenge, especially if you choose safe responses that refer to the job description.

1. Why are you interested in this role/company?
2. Can you tell me more about your relevant past experiences?
3. What motivates you to seek a new opportunity at this time?
4. What is your expected salary range, and what is your notice period?
5. Are you open to relocation or fully remote work?

Aptitude tes

This test often ranks a profile based on hard skills, soft skills, and numerical, language, and logic capabilities. It is remote and generally takes 20 minutes to complete. Most of the time, a video is required to continue the process.

Case Study

Each case study varies by position and company, tailored to the company's needs. As you work on your case, be sure to be thorough, professional, and data-driven.

eg. 🎊Startup Business Strategy GPT

N+1 or Technical Call

This is where things get ugly, technical, and interesting. Generally, you present your case study and then debate your solution. This is also the right time to ask your most relevant organizational and technical questions.

1. Can you tell me about your experience launching a product?
2. If you were to start this role today, what would your 3-6-9 month roadmap look like?
3. How do you measure your professional growth?
4. What was your role in your previous position?

NB. This call can be assisted by another professional.

Cultural fit Call with Management

This is purely a fit call where you meet the management, such as the founder, investor, partner, C-levels, etc., and talk about yourself as a person. This is crucial to see if their values align with yours.

NB. Whenever you meet someone from the team, prepare a list of questions to clarify aspects of the role, company, team, and values. Create a comprehensive set of questions that you can reuse for any job opportunity. This preparation will help you gather essential information consistently across all interviews.

Day +14: You are the king!

The day you get the job or multiple offers.

If you survive all these Phone, Zoom or G.meet calls, this is where the fun begins:

1. Start negotiating the start date, salary, and flexibilities.
2. Hopefully, you have more than one offer to compare.
3. Sign the contract for the job you prefer.
4. Survive the first day, week, and month at the job.
5. Get validated by the whole team.

Obviously, this is not the end. It is just the next chapter of your life and work experiences. Continue to nurture your network so that, if you leave, you are never back to square one.

Final conclusion

Job hunting shouldn't take more than 2 weeks. If it does, it means your job search isn't effective, and you need to adjust job positions, seniority level, industry, size, etc.

Take this as an experiment and learning process. If you aren't getting interviews, it means the way you're presenting yourself is wrong or you're not doing it the right way.

If you can spare 10 minutes today reading this article, you have 2 weeks to try this method.

Let me know in the comments if it worked for you.