The Unexpected Job Offer
“Don't be afraid to do "reverse" job search: approach your target companies even if they are not hiring.”
Joice Gumala, Head of Topica Native, Topica Edtech Group
Landing a job amid a pandemic is tough. Securing an offer from your dream company during this period can be even more difficult. However, it is not impossible.
We had a short chat with Joice Gumala, Head of Topica Native at Topica Edtech Group on her experience pivoting from corporate to community leader to landing her dream startup job, and how it was done in the most unexpected of ways.
Joice is the Ex-CEO and Founder of Menduca, a community of mentors consisting over 100 MBA students and alumni from the Top 30 Business Schools in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Since deciding to stop operation in March this year, she has been exploring various career options and finally secured a role at Topica Edtech Group, the largest Edtech startup in Southeast Asia. It all began when her sharing on LinkedIn went unexpectedly viral. Read it here.
Joice shares 3 tips on how to land your dream job:
1. Know yourself and what your goals are.
“Build your personal brand by knowing what you can bring to the table.”
Joice was clear of the sector that she wanted to get into and her skills that she could offer - those she had as well as those she currently did not possess.
2. Be proactive in your job search, there are many ways to do so. Consider:
Doing a ‘reverse’ job search
Joice did not hesitate to approach her network for virtual coffee chats to find out more about the industry and companies that she would like to work for. Though not everyone offered a job, it helped to build contacts for the long term.
“Don't be afraid to do "reverse" job search:
approach your target companies even if they are not hiring.”
Sharing meaningful content on your LinkedIn page
Joice strongly believes in the importance of putting yourself out there all the time, and not just when you need to. With a clear assessment of her skills, Joice shared her thoughts frequently on LinkedIn and managed to build up a significant following. This worked out & allowed her to secure a reverse offer!
3. Lastly, acknowledge your failures, have the courage to pivot and do not be afraid to start again!
A career journey is bound to have many ups and downs, share your setbacks openly so that others can pick up these learning points. Who knows, you may even catch the eye of a recruiter along the way, just as Joice did!