Bri Rivlin
Nov 6 · 3 min read

10 Steps to Landing the Perfect Job in Los Angeles

Step 1: If you are currently employed but hate your job, KEEP IT. Job search when you can — because unless you have a pile of savings in some giant money bin like Scrooge McDuck, you’ll be filling up on microwaveable ramen and living with your parents (yes, even at 32) or sleeping on your friend’s couch. Living in Los Angeles, AIN’T CHEAP. Most one-bedroom apartments range from $1700 to $2300 depending on the area. And if you have a family to think about — living on your friend’s couch isn’t an option.

If you hate your job and feel like you want to scream “I QUIT!” all the time, it’s a sign that you need another job… but suck all that pain down with a giant margarita, take a deep breath, and hit the job search road.

Step 2: Try all the online job sites: ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, Indeed, etc. But stay the hell away from Craigslist. (I have a lot of job horror stories from Craigslist.) Apply to ALL the jobs and apply again because you’ll likely see the same listings for the same positions a month or two later. After a year has gone by and still nothing, you may want to reach out to your social network to see if any of your friend’s companies are hiring. Pride? What’s that? Screw pride — especially when it comes to your well-being and your paycheck.

Step 3: When a prospective employer asks your salary requirements before they’ve even given you a salary range, they’re trying to see how big you’re — um — skill sets are. Most of the time, they’re trying to be cheap or get you at a lower number. Of course, some companies are just trying to see if they can afford you — however, most of them want talent at the sale price. Tell them you’re willing to negotiate if they truly value your skills and what you could bring to the table. Then ask what their budget and the salary range is for the position. If they start to twitch or get uncomfortable, it means they’re trying to low-ball you. If you want to be brazen, ask if they want to hire a Mercedes or a Ford Fiesta. Their call.

Step 4: At the end of the day, after the grueling hours of your current soul-sucking job has ended, curl up in a ball and cry, drink, or numb yourself with binge-worthy shows on Netflix. I usually opt for things of the horror or supernatural variety. Maybe you prefer reality TV? *Shudder

Step 5: Revamp your resume for the twelfth time. Ask others to look at it and wonder if it’s screaming “DESPERATE” or if it reeks of failure and incompetence. Write a million and one cover letters to fit all the different job ads for all the different companies.

Step 6: Refrain from yelling, “Because I need money to live and a job gives me money!” as an answer to the question of, “Why do you want to work here? What do you like about this job?”

Step 7: Start going to the gym because you think maybe you’re too out of shape for a new job, and perhaps that’s why people aren’t hiring you.

Step 7 & a half: Cancel the gym membership because you just realized you couldn’t afford one with your current job, which is one out of a hundred reasons why you’re trying to find a new one.

Step 8: You’ve applied to nearly 200 jobs and have heard back from about twenty, all rejection emails. Your boss has made you cry more times than you’d like to admit. However, you’ve updated your skillset over the past year through YouTube tutorials and online classes. You revamp your resume for the seventeenth time.

Step 9: Nepotism.

Step 10: Welcome to your new job!

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade