[iridium]

Something I read a while ago that stuck with me - ‘When you are looking for a new opportunity, you are really just looking for a person.’

This reframing totally changed how I look for new jobs, and what suprised me more was how willing people were to refer me, even if they had never met me.

[wishinghand]

I agree. Instead of applying for a job, I do my best to figure out who's in charge of hiring and connect with them on LinkedIn. Once they accept I mention what I like about the company, that I can fill the role they have open, and that I'd like to talk further about it in the next day or two. I never let more than 4 days pass without a message between us as long as the position is still open and I'm still interested. This works a lot better than hoping I get an email back from their applicant management system that they'd like to setup a phone call. It puts a little more agency in my hands.

[fecak]

That is great advice, and to take it a step further I'd say not to focus on getting an interview but rather a conversation.

If people you haven't met are referring you, you are already doing something right.