How to Get Hired: Tips from a Meta Recruiter

The job market can be challenging and opaque, and figuring out how to get hired can be an exercise in frustration. We recently spoke to recruiter Martin Ngo to gain some insight into how recruiting works at Meta—where he worked from 2017 until just recently.

Martin spent four years managing a Starbucks in the Bay Area before joining Meta’s Sourcer Development Program. From there, he worked his way up to be a Senior Technical Recruiter, specializing in the most demanding technical niches like machine learning. Martin knows the recruiting process inside and out from one of the most desirable companies for job seekers.

Here are his insider tips for job seekers to gain an edge when trying to attract the attention of recruiters.

Have the Right Keywords in Your LinkedIn Profile

We asked Martin about the Meta recruiting process. He told us that the first step was talking to the hiring manager to learn how quickly they needed to fill the position, the must-have skills, and the nice-to-have skills. From there, he would build a list of keywords that he would use to search LinkedIn for candidates.

Two key takeaways for how to get hired: LinkedIn is invaluable, as is having the correct keywords in your profile to show up in recruiter searches.

The trick is finding the correct keywords to put in your LinkedIn profile. Here are a few ideas:

Scour job listings similar to the job you want.

Evaluate LinkedIn profiles of experts in your field.

Look at current employees at your target company to understand their skill sets and experience.

A handy tool for spotting keywords is a word cloud. Copy a resume or a job listing and paste it into a free word cloud generator to spot the most commonly used words.

Martin also said that it pays to put links to speaking engagements and personal blog posts on your LinkedIn profile, to show that you are an active participant in your field. Martin says it shows more context about you beyond what’s on your resume, and it highlights soft skills like presentation and communication.

Have a Blog and Tell Your Story

One of the more surprising revelations in our interview with Martin is that he often sought out personal blogs of candidates for more information. In the age of social media, personal blogs are often viewed as quaint and outdated, but they are still a powerful marketing tool.

“I like blogs…I’d research their own personal blogs and what they’re saying to help me better understand their work,” Martin says. “There’s only so much a candidate can share on their one- or two-page resume or on their LinkedIn.”

Years ago, Michael Ellsberg shared similar advice in his article, “8 Steps to Getting What You Want… Without Formal Credentials.” Ellsberg recommended using a blog to document your journey of learning about a field by reading a book about that field every week and writing a blog post about it. It seems like that advice from 2011 still holds up.

But the value of a blog can go beyond demonstrating your professional qualifications. Martin told us he also sought out personal stories that demonstrate character.

“One of my candidates had a beautiful story on their journey from a third-world country to the United States, and how they broke into tech. That was a beautiful story and journey and helped me to understand that they’re motivated and can handle hardships and challenges,” Martin says. Of course, the candidate met the qualifications, but that story helped push them to the top.

Use TextExpander in Your Job Search

Pretty much everyone who’s ever had a job knows that the job hunt is a numbers game.

“When you’re on the job hunt, it gets tedious to type out the same information over and over again,” Martin says. “Leveraging TextExpander reduces the amount of time I spend filling out applications.”

Martin recommends creating Snippets for things you have to fill out over and over again in job applications, such as your:

Top skills

Cover letter

Why you want to work for a company

Work summary

See how TextExpander works

Select a snippet you would like to try

Top Skills

Cover Letter

Work Summary

Type this shortcut below job.skills

Type this shortcut below job.cover

Type this shortcut below job.summary

Programming Languages:

Proficient in Java, C++, Python, and JavaScript.

Strong understanding of object-oriented programming principles.

Web Development:

Experience in front-end development using HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript frameworks (such as React and Angular).

Proficient in back-end development using frameworks like Node.js and Django.

Familiarity with RESTful API design and implementation.

Database Management:

Skilled in working with both relational databases (such as MySQL and PostgreSQL) and NoSQL databases (such as MongoDB).

Proficient in writing complex SQL queries, optimizing database performance, and database administration.

Full-Stack Development:

Extensive experience in developing end-to-end applications, from designing and implementing robust back-end systems to creating intuitive user interfaces.

Ability to architect scalable and maintainable solutions.

Software Development Lifecycle:

Proficient in Agile and Scrum methodologies, including sprint planning, task estimation, and continuous integration.

Experience with version control systems like Git and collaborative development using tools like GitHub and Bitbucket.

Problem Solving and Algorithm Design:

Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex issues and provide efficient solutions.

Experience in designing and implementing efficient algorithms and data structures.

Testing and Debugging:

Skilled in unit testing, integration testing, and automated testing frameworks.

Proficient in using debugging tools to identify and resolve software defects.

Software Architecture and Design Patterns:

Knowledge of software architecture principles, design patterns, and best practices.

Experience in designing modular, scalable, and maintainable software systems.

Collaboration and Communication:

Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills, demonstrated through successful participation in cross-functional development teams.

Strong written and verbal communication abilities, including technical documentation and presenting complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Continuous Learning:

Passion for staying up-to-date with the latest technologies, frameworks, and industry trends.

Proactive in seeking and acquiring new skills and knowledge to enhance professional growth.

John Doe

123 Main Street

City, State ZIP Code

Phone Number

Email Address

Date

Recipient’s Name

Recipient’s Job Title

Company Name

Company Address

City, State ZIP Code

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to express my strong interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [Job Board/Company Website]. With over ten years of experience as a software developer, I have honed my skills in various aspects of software development and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality solutions.

Throughout my career, I have worked on diverse projects, ranging from web development to full-stack application development. I am proficient in programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, and JavaScript, with a strong understanding of object-oriented principles. I have hands-on experience in both front-end and back-end development, utilizing modern frameworks such as React, Angular, Node.js, and Django. Additionally, I have a solid foundation in database management, including working with relational and NoSQL databases, optimizing performance, and writing complex SQL queries.

One of my strengths lies in my ability to architect scalable and maintainable solutions. I have successfully led the development of end-to-end applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of various components. I am well-versed in Agile and Scrum methodologies, with experience in sprint planning, task estimation, and continuous integration. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, designing efficient algorithms and data structures to tackle complex challenges.

I take pride in my attention to detail and my commitment to delivering high-quality software. I am well-versed in testing and debugging techniques, using unit testing, integration testing, and automated testing frameworks to ensure the reliability and stability of my code. Furthermore, I have a solid understanding of software architecture principles and design patterns, enabling me to create modular, scalable, and maintainable systems.

In addition to my technical skills, I possess excellent collaboration and communication abilities. I have successfully worked in cross-functional development teams, actively participating in code reviews, providing constructive feedback, and mentoring junior developers. I am a strong communicator, able to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through clear and concise documentation and presentations.

I am excited about the opportunity to join [Company Name] and contribute to its ongoing success. I am confident that my technical expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and dedication to delivering high-quality software make me an ideal fit for the [Job Title] position. I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to help drive innovation and achieve the company’s goals.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in more detail. I am available at your convenience for an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

John Doe

Throughout my career as a software developer, I have accumulated ten years of experience in designing, developing, and delivering high-quality software solutions. I have a strong foundation in programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, and JavaScript, and I am well-versed in object-oriented programming principles.

I have a diverse skill set that spans various areas of software development. I am proficient in web development, with expertise in front-end technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and modern JavaScript frameworks such as React and Angular. On the back-end, I have experience working with frameworks like Node.js and Django, and I am familiar with RESTful API design and implementation.

Database management is another area of expertise for me. I have worked with both relational databases, such as MySQL and PostgreSQL, and NoSQL databases, such as MongoDB. I am skilled in writing complex SQL queries, optimizing database performance, and database administration tasks.

My full-stack development experience allows me to architect end-to-end applications, from designing and implementing robust back-end systems to creating intuitive user interfaces. I am well-versed in software development lifecycle methodologies, particularly Agile and Scrum, and I have experience with version control systems like Git.

Problem-solving and algorithm design are strengths that I bring to my work. I have a strong ability to analyze complex issues and provide efficient solutions. I have designed and implemented efficient algorithms and data structures to optimize software performance.

Testing and debugging are integral parts of my development process. I am skilled in unit testing, integration testing, and automated testing frameworks. I use debugging tools effectively to identify and resolve software defects.

I am knowledgeable in software architecture principles, design patterns, and best practices. I have a solid understanding of creating modular, scalable, and maintainable software systems.

Collaboration and communication are key strengths that I have developed throughout my career. I have successfully worked in cross-functional development teams, participated in code reviews, provided constructive feedback, and mentored junior developers. I am an effective communicator, capable of conveying complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through clear and concise documentation and presentations.

Continuous learning is important to me, and I strive to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, frameworks, and industry trends. I am proactive in seeking and acquiring new skills and knowledge to enhance my professional growth.

Overall, my extensive experience, diverse skill set, problem-solving abilities, and strong collaboration and communication skills make me a valuable asset as a software developer. I am passionate about delivering high-quality software solutions and contributing to the success of any project or organization I work with.

Don’t Neglect Your Soft Skills

Most of us primarily think about our hard qualifications, especially for technical roles, but recruiters and other experts often talk up the importance of soft skills, which are hard-to-teach interpersonal skills.

But which soft skills do recruiters look for? Martin offers the following list:

Openness to feedback

The ability to give constructive feedback

Sales and influence, specifically being able to develop an idea from ground zero and be able to sell leadership on it

A desire to consistently want to grow and learn

“We of course get folks who are domain experts in their field, which is great, but it’s also great to see someone who says, ‘Hey, you know what, I’m maybe an expert and a pro but I still know there are new things to learn, and I want to learn them there,’” Martin says.

Being noticed by recruiters takes having the right balance of both core competencies and people skills.

“It’s the right balance of hard and soft skills because someone can be the best machine learning engineer, but if they can’t present in a room of people, then it’s going to be hard for them to work with teams, get buy-in, and so on,” Martin explains.

Come up with stories demonstrating how you exhibit these traits and highlight them on your blog and LinkedIn profile.

Resumes Are Still Important

It’s all too common for job hunters to submit resumes over and over again and never hear anything back. We imagine recruiters with impossible piles of resumes in their inboxes and wonder if it’s even worth the trouble.

Martin says that while they found most of their candidates through LinkedIn, resumes are still “absolutely important” when sharing a candidate with hiring managers.

“Resumes are super important when you’re sharing with your hiring managers, because they want to see the nitty gritties of the person’s experience and whether they align with the opportunities that they have on hand,” Martin says.

Martin’s advice on resumes is likely similar to what you’ve always heard: keep them short and to the point.

“People who are concise and are able to keep that narrative very clearly on their resume. I think that’s a huge plus,” Martin says.

“What we don’t prefer to see is a 10-page resume. I feel like you can be more concise,” Martin adds.

What about GPA on a resume? Martins says that’s largely up to debate except for one detail: “If you had a low GPA, please do not put that on there,” he says. It might be more important for new grads, but otherwise you can leave it off if you have experience.

Read More on How to Get Hired

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The Modern Recruiting Process

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