How I Landed My Job With Zillow
Click the image to hear my full story! 🎦
“I went through the entire interview process—for a job that didn’t even technically exist. They didn’t have another Recruiter headcount open, but they hired me anyway. On a six-month contract that turned into 4 years.”
Okay, folks — storytime.
Again, my name’s Tessa. I’m a veteran recruiter with over a decade of experience, nearly that in tech alone, turned career consultant.
And one of the questions I’m asked most frequently is: How did I land a job at Zillow?
Well, today, I’ll tell you all about it….
...but first, some context:
At first, Zillow didn’t want to hire me.
Well… that’s not exactly true. I just didn’t meet the five years of corporate recruiting experience they said they needed for the Senior Recruiter position I was applying for.
At the time, I was working as a corporate recruiter for a healthcare company—my first real corporate recruiting job—which was where I REALLY I cut my teeth in recruiting.
I had spent a couple of years there, learned a ton, and was ready for more.
Healthcare recruiting, for anyone who doesn't know, is a different beast. It’s intense, nonstop, and quickly became a 24-hour job. I knew I wanted to pivot into a new challenge.
So I went on some interviews with jobs that honestly ended up being more of the same as what I was doing. Healthcare wasn't really where I wanted to be.
And that was the turning point for me.
Because I realized…I didn’t have to accept just ANY job. I wanted to find THE job.
I was employed. I was learning. I was stressed and overworked, but I was learning.
Which meant I could take time to actually think about my next move.
So I got:
☑️STRATEGIC
☑️INTENTIONAL
☑️And SPECIFIC.
And here's why it mattered: Zillow hired me for a job that wasn't even posted. After I applied for a job that, on paper, I wasn't 100% qualified for.
But here’s the funny thing about my career—most of the best things I’ve done almost didn’t happen.
And working for Zillow was one of them. Because I ALMOST didn’t apply...
Intrigued? Check out the replay below. ⤵️
