That's a good advice but probably for the top X percent in their industry who have a luxury to choose their employer - not everyone is in this position.

It's not about picking your employer so much as it is about getting past the outer layer and in touch with an interested human who can champion you through the rest of the process. In the absence of a pre-existing relationship, a good recruiter is invaluable for this.

Recruiters can definitely be a good way. That’s how I landed, like, nearly every job I have ever been offered.

Networking and reaching out to people at interesting companies is another way.

You will probably still have to write a cover letter and send in your résumé. But if you have someone on the inside who will mention to the hiring manager that, ”hey, you should check out Jane’s application” it will probably make a great deal of difference compared to just applying and hoping for the best.

And please folks, remember that FAANG is not the only game in town. There are lots and lots and lots of other companies out there, and many of them also pay well since they need to compete with FAANG to at least some extent.

It is easier than ever to contact a recruiter who works for the company on linked in instead of applying without any kind of referral

Indeed, I first heard this advice in the form: Don't submit a resume until you are sure you have the job.

I remember the HR chief of [famous company] complaining to me that she'd already been ordered to offer me a job, and needed a resume to check her bureaucratic boxen.

TBH that sounds a little extreme in the other direction.

I’ve gotten many good jobs with a “cold” application. If you have a fairly solid background the hearing back rate is easily over 50% for those

I have to agree, I have a lot of respect for McKenzie but this advice seems unwise. I've landed four jobs (including my longest-lasting gig to date) by sending in resumes to job listings without knowing anyone internally.

That’s great! But many people never hear back from cold applications, so that’s why I felt the need to mention that quote.