Own the Process

5 min readFeb 22, 2023

When I was a 19, I didn’t have a f*cking clue what it meant to get a “big boy” job.

As an Electrical Engineering undergrad, I knew of Seniors considering multiple offers and thought companies were coming to campus and making offers to them based on academics.

Little did I know … there was much more to the process.

I stumbled into my first couple jobs because of a good network. And in time, after investing in a direction and a process, I was approached with job opportunities.

It’s happened at different points in my career. And even today, with talks of recession and my being newer to data, I’ve had more companies, recruiters, and people I know reach out than I would’ve expected.

This is a sign to me that something’s working. Opportunity’s knocking.

What’s the secret?

Skills. Connections. Process.

The first two are served by the last one.

And I believe the gold, bridging from where we are to where we want to be, lies in the process.

Let’s get into it.

#1 Map out the path forward.

While the specifics will vary person-to-person and situation-to-situation, let’s go over some generic questions for mapping out your path:

For the company you’re interested in, do you have an “in”? Can you set up an informational interview?
Have you uncovered valuable skills that you have or wish you had?
Are your documents and online presence in order?
When applying (in general), will you take a broad-ranging or targeted approach?
How strong are your story and your interviewing skills?

The questions for mapping out your path are big. There’s no way around it.

To sit with them is to clarify ‘How?’.

To pull on the big levers, to find the backdoors, and get from here to there requires strategy, detachment, and a willingness to build momentum and fail forward.

#2 Upskill and show competency.

Once you’ve identified your dream company and established a (starter) strategy, it’s time to take stock of your skills.

To sit with the skills you have vs. those the JD (job description) is asking for.

If you have a clear majority of them, let’s say 80%, you’re rock solid and ready to go. If you have a lower percent, you’ll have to put more time and effort into learning.

While you may never find 100% alignment, the aim is to take shots and fill in gaps by upskilling.

For example, I work in data and the clear majority of data jobs ask for SQL, Python, communication skills, and familiarity with different data tools.

I may crush the SQL portion, do well on the Python portion, sell myself highly on communication and be unfamiliar with one of the required data tools (ie. Tableau for visualization).

If I identify this gap before even interviewing, I can set aside time to learn it to a rudimentary level before the interview. I can then, during the interview, be honest that my Tableau experience is limited and build upon it with the “sell” that (1) I have experience with visualization principles that will carry over and (2) I WANT to learn Tableau.

The job getting process is one big learning cycle. A win or learn experience.

If you don’t have the skills, you can learn them. You can identify where and how, and go to work.

You can upskill, gain experience, put yourself out there, and continue taking the feedback.

That’s how you bridge to “up the ladder” opportunities.

Once you have more valuable of skills in combination, your perceived value goes up and you earn the ability to decide between dream opportunities.

That’s the point we’re working toward 🙂

#3 Get your documents in order.

Knowing someone doesn’t mean shit if we’re a shit.

Where it’s down to a decision between us and one or two other solid candidates, preparation and professionalism give the edge.

Your documents and online presence have got to scream that you are THE person for the job.

One of the ways this is done is via keywords. When we consider just about any JD there are a subset of keywords that hiring managers are looking for.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become popular because they screen applications for keywords so that only those most aligned with the JD make it to the hiring manager’s desk.

The clear majority do not.

To ensure your application makes it through (or impresses upon making it through), take the time to tailor the wording on your resume and cover letter.

Don’t lie, just use their wording to describe your experience and skills.

That bit of extra effort into your resume, cover letter, and online presence may very well be the difference.

Sometimes the difference between ‘yay’ and ‘nay’ rests on a razor’s edge.

#4 Network and apply

Networking is vital for those who want to move up in their career. According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. In fact, according to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly.
— Important Networking Statistics Everyone Should Know, ApolloTechnical

85% of jobs are filled through networking. 70% are never published publicly.

In other words, the biggest lever you can pull on is your network.

A strong network and reputation, like a river’s current to your back, can carry you much further than paddling alone would.

You may be early in your career and wondering, where the majority of your focus should go …

Skills and connections. Skills and connections. Skills and connections.

That’s it.

I used to hear and barely believe the importance of networking. Now, it’s clear as day.

Every job I’ve gotten has been via networking. Old family friends. Close friends. Meeting someone for beers, having great conversation, and ending up working together.

You’d be surprised where a chance encounter or conversation can lead.

Lean on your network early and often. Cultivate it. Build it.

Pick people’s minds, gather advice, and cast lines.

That’s what it’s all about.