Hiring hacks 🔓

If you could change anything – anything at all – about the hiring process, what would it be?

For me, it comes down to this: hiring isn't about discovering the "best" candidate for a job. It's all about finding the fit.

Committing to finding the fit transforms the whole hiring experience. Instead of evaluating people against an inflexible wish list for some imagined perfect person, every step of the way is about getting applicants the information they need to make their best pitch. 

You're no longer screening people out – you're inviting people in.

Whether you’re a job hunter or the hiring manager, these hacks will flip the script on your next job posting.

💪 Fight imposter syndrome 

That long list of job requirements can be intimidating. It’s easy to feel like you can’t possibly measure up. That’s why as a hiring manager I’ve put a message on job applications letting candidates know that it’s OK if they don't tick every box — if they feel they can bring value to the role, I'm happy to hear them out.

🔓 How it helps applicants: Don’t count yourself out. If you think you can make the case for the job, give it a try and see where you get. Last year I almost didn't pitch a conference session because I didn't have the live event video requested on the application – but I provided a webinar link, crossed my fingers, and got the invite anyway.

🔑 How it helps hirers: You can miss out on some great candidates if you’re too rigid with your requirements. The better you are at explaining what this role needs to accomplish, the higher quality applicants you’ll get.

☎️ Hiring hotline

All credit for this goes to Candice Fortman, whose hiring hotline at Outlier Media allowed potential applicants to book a 20-minute call with her to learn more about the organization and the role.

🔓 How it helps applicants: Talking to someone before putting time and effort into an application can be a huge time-saver. Even if the hiring manager isn't offering hotline calls, you can reach out to people who are familiar with the organization to decide whether it's worth it.

🔑 How it helps hirers: I've run a hiring hotline a few times and it's always helped me explain the role better to potential applicants. I'd rather spend a few minutes on the phone with someone who decides this doesn't match their needs than wade through a sea of mismatched applications. Plus, you get to meet people interested in your organization, which could lead to new opportunities for hires down the road.

As Fortman said, "For me, hiring is so valuable and getting the right fit of people in Outlier is so valuable that that could never possibly be a waste of my time."

📝 Kill the cover letter

Last year a fed-up 35-year-old went viral for submitting a cover letter that simply said “It’s 2025, we’re not doing this.” Instead of requiring a candidate's entire professional story, I like to make the cover letter optional, instead opting for 2-3 questions specific to the role. (Warning: These questions and answers should be short and to the point. It's not fair to ask candidates to create an entire essay for your job posting.)

🔓 How it helps applicants: Specific questions are another data point you can use to evaluate the fit. If these are areas you feel strongly about, it should be fairly easy to explain what you can offer.

🔑 How it helps hirers: Let's be honest – wading through complex professional stories to figure out what applies to your job opening is a ton of work. You also might miss relevant information simply because the candidate didn't know it mattered to you. The more clarity you can offer candidates, the better cases they'll be able to make, the easier it is for you to decide who to interview.

These are just a few ways we can stop making the hiring process a grueling guessing exercise. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it requires humans to actually review applications and even talk on the phone. For hiring managers, finding the fit makes the extra effort worthwhile. And for applicants, you'll be able to tell a lot about whether an organization wants to invest in you by how much they invest in the process.

Happy navigating,
Bridget

🧑‍🍳 Your UVP Recipe

When it comes to finding the fit for your next job, knowing your Unique Value Proposition – the combination that makes you stand out from the crowd – is essential. Once you know your UVP, it's a matter of finding the place that is looking for what you can offer.