The 4-Step Guide to Getting Hired at Your Dream Company
After 20 years of career coaching, I've watched thousands of talented professionals make the same frustrating mistake: they apply online to their dream companies and wonder why they never hear back. Meanwhile, they watch less qualified candidates somehow land those coveted positions.
Here's the truth nobody wants to admit: the online application system is broken. Companies don't want 10,000 random applicants flooding their inbox, so many dream jobs never even get posted publicly. But here's what I've discovered: there's a backdoor approach that works so well, one of my clients got called by a recruiter after just 17 days of implementing it.
Let me share the exact four-step strategy that can get you noticed by your dream employer when applying online simply cannot.
Step 1: Follow Your Dream Companies on LinkedIn (Yes, It Actually Matters)
I know what you're thinking, "Really, J.T.? Just clicking 'follow'?" But hear me out. LinkedIn is a social platform, and when recruiters search for candidates with your skill set, one of their filtering criteria is whether you're following their company.
Think about it from their perspective: they're looking for people who are genuinely interested in their organization, not just anyone with the right keywords on their resume. Following shows intentionality and genuine interest. Make sure you're following every company you'd love to work for. It's that simple.
Step 2: Build Your Network Within the Company (Aim for 3-5 Connections)
Here's where most people stop, but this is where the real magic happens. Go to your dream company's LinkedIn page and click on the "People" section. You'll see everyone who works there, and LinkedIn will show you if you have first-degree connections (people you're directly connected to) or second-degree connections (people your network knows).
Your mission? Connect with three to five people (minimum) at that company. Even if you never speak to these people directly, having connections there dramatically boosts your visibility when recruiters search for candidates. When they find your profile, LinkedIn shows them that you're connected to people at their company—and that's social proof that you're in their professional orbit.
Don't have any connections there yet? Look for second-degree connections and ask your mutual contact for an introduction. Most people are happy to help if you ask nicely.
Step 3: Personalize Every Connection Request (This Is Non-Negotiable)
This step separates the professionals from the amateurs. Never, ever send a generic connection request. Instead, take five minutes to study their profile and craft a personalized message.
Try something like: "Hi [Name], I'm a huge fan of [Company] because of [specific reason]. I noticed we both have experience in [shared background/skill/interest]. Would love to connect and learn more about your experience there."
This approach works because it shows you've done your homework and you're not just mass-connecting with everyone. People are much more likely to accept when they see you've taken the time to find common ground.
Step 4: Engage Thoughtfully with Company Content (Show Your Expertise)
Now for the secret weapon: go back to your dream company's LinkedIn page and look at what they've posted recently. Find content you can meaningfully engage with, then repost it to your own feed with thoughtful commentary.
But here's the key: Don't just say, "Congratulations, this is awesome!" Add real value to the conversation. Share why you think their approach makes sense, what you've learned from similar situations, or how their strategy aligns with industry trends you've observed.
This strategy feeds LinkedIn's algorithm beautifully. Now, when recruiters search, they'll see you're following the company, connected to multiple employees, and actively engaging with their content in an intelligent way. You've essentially created a digital footprint that screams, "I'm genuinely interested and knowledgeable about what you do."
Real Results: Why This Strategy Actually Works
I had a project management client who created a list of 20 bucket-list companies he wanted to work for. He implemented this exact strategy consistently, and on day 17, a recruiter from one of those companies called him directly after finding him on LinkedIn. He now works there.
This isn't luck. It's strategic visibility. These companies have open positions right now, but they're not posting them publicly because they don't want to deal with thousands of unqualified applicants. Instead, they're proactively searching for people who demonstrate genuine interest and expertise in their industry.
Ready to Transform Your Job Search?
If you want step-by-step guidance on implementing this strategy with real examples and downloadable resources, check out my free "5-Day Job Search Challenge.”
Right now, while everyone else is getting lost in online application black holes, you can position yourself to be discovered by the employers you actually want to work for. The opportunity is there—you just need to know how to make yourself visible.
Stop applying online and start getting strategic. Your dream job is waiting.
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
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