Curated Job Search Strategies

The most common job search instinct among Directors and VPs is also the one that keeps them searching the longest. When things slow down, they apply to more roles. It feels productive. It is the opposite of what works. The fastest searches I have seen were also the most focused. Here is what targeting actually looks like: 𝟭. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 Define what makes a role right for you before you start scrolling. The kind of company, the scope, the environment, the direction. Without criteria, every opening looks like a possibility, and you spend your energy on roles that were never aligned to begin with. 𝟮. 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 Identify ten to fifteen companies that genuinely fit your criteria. A focused list of aligned targets will always outperform a hundred applications sent on hope. In a senior search, depth beats volume every time. 𝟯. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 Understand where each company is going, what they are building, and what they are struggling with. The goal is to reach out as someone who already understands their world, not as one more applicant in the pile. 𝟰. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 The best senior roles are rarely won through an online application. Reach the people who make or influence the decision. A warm introduction or a specific, direct message will move you further than any portal ever will. 𝟱. 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 Set weekly targets. Track every conversation. Follow up deliberately. A search without a system is just hoping the right thing finds you. The professionals who land fastest treat the search itself as a project they manage. A scattered search tells the market you will take anything. A targeted one tells the market exactly where you belong. The market does not reward volume. It rewards clarity. Save this post for when you start your next job search. And if you have been applying everywhere and hearing very little back, the problem is usually the list, not you. Send me a message and we will build a sharper one.

You don’t need more applications. You need better ones. If your job search strategy is “apply to everything and hope something sticks”... it’s time to pivot. In today’s market, the candidates getting interviews aren’t sending 100s of resumes. They’re sending 10 targeted ones - and making them count. Here’s how to shift from volume to precision: ✅ 1. Target with intent Build a list of 30–40 companies that align with your strengths, values, and career goals. Look for: - Roles that match 80–90% of your skills - Companies whose mission resonates with you - Places where you can add unique value based on your background ✅ 2. Research before you reach out You don’t need to read every blog post - but do enough homework to show you actually care. Check the company’s website, recent LinkedIn updates, or product announcements. Then tailor your message: “I saw your team recently launched [X] — I’ve worked on similar projects in [Y], and I’d love to contribute to [Z].” Small effort. Big impact. ✅ 3. Write your resume for the reader Each resume should speak directly to the job description. Use their language. Match their needs. Generic = ignored. Aligned = noticed. ✅ 4. Warm up the connection Before you apply, connect with someone on the team. Engage with their posts Send a thoughtful, short message Ask for insight — not a job This increases your odds of getting a response and a referral. ✅ 5. Treat applications like a pitch Use every touchpoint - cover letter, message, interview - to sell your value. Tie your experience directly to their needs. Be clear, confident, and specific. 🎯 More isn’t better. Better is better. 10 thoughtful applications can outperform 100 generic ones — every single time. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start landing interviews, follow me for daily job search strategies that actually work.

After 15 years placing thousands of candidates, I'll tell you the surprising truth: Most people focus only on the visible parts of their job search: their LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and applications. While these matter, they're not the whole story. The real winning strategy? It's simpler than you think, and it complements your polished materials. Here are the 3 strategies that create real results: 1. Build three distinct networks ▷Recruiters (they have inside access) ▷Peers (they share real experiences) ▷Leaders (they make hiring decisions) Each serves a different purpose. Each opens different doors. 2. Focus on human connections. Instead of mass applying, tell 5 trusted contacts exactly: ▷What you want to do ▷What you're good at ▷Where you want to work They'll open doors you didn't know existed. 3. Create a repeatable process ▷Track your applications ▷Schedule weekly networking ▷Set clear follow-up dates The job search isn't about motivation. It's about methodology. Here's the truth: Finding your next role isn't about having the perfect resume or cover letter. It's about having a strategic process that focuses your energy where it matters most. I've watched it work from behind the recruiter's desk thousands of times. Candidates who use this approach: ▷Get 3x more interviews ▷Land offers in half the time ▷Build lasting career relationships ⭐Follow me for more insider recruiting tips that actually work. What's your biggest job search challenge?

Let’s face it—traditional job hunting can feel… soul-crushing. But there are creative ways to find opportunities that don’t involve endlessly applying to cold job posts. Here are a few approaches that actually work (and make you stand out): 🎯 Make a “reverse job post” – Instead of applying, post what you’re looking for and what you bring to the table. Let the right roles find you. 🎙️ Be loud about your skills – Share a short case study, a portfolio sample, or even a “day in the life” reel. Show > tell. 📬 Cold DM, warm approach – Reach out to people in roles you admire. Not to ask for a job—but to ask for insight. Jobs often follow. 🛠️ Build something – A tiny project, a landing page, a Notion doc, a demo. Creating is the new resume. 📢 Use niche communities – Reddit, Slack groups, industry Discords, newsletters—these are job goldmines most people overlook. 🎨 Brand yourself creatively – Resume as a website? LinkedIn as a story series? Use your platform to spark curiosity. 💬 Tell people you’re looking—but give them the right words – Make it easy for others to advocate for you. Be specific about role, industry, and value. 👀 Follow funding rounds – New funding = new hiring. Track who just raised and reach out before they post jobs. 🪄 Treat job hunting like marketing – You’re not “begging.” You’re offering value. So position yourself like a solution. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from showing up where others aren’t looking. Which of these have you tried—or want to try next? #JobSearchTips #CareerGrowth #HiddenJobs #PersonalBranding #CreativeCareers #NetworkingTips

If you've sent out 200+ applications in the past six months and all you've heard is silence, it's not bad luck ~ it’s a sign you need to change your approach! I’ve had clients come to me after blasting out hundreds of resumes with zero results, and my advice is always the same: stop relying on job boards alone and start diversifying your strategy!! Here’s what I’ve seen work and what I'm recommending: 1. Build real connections (this is the game-changer). Most jobs are filled through referrals or internal hires. If you’re not networking, you’re competing against hundreds (or thousands) of applicants. Instead: - Reach out to hiring managers directly. - Talk to employees at companies you admire. - Join industry Slack groups, Discords, and networking events. Many Slack communities have exclusive job postings and hiring managers actively looking for talent. 2. Make LinkedIn work for you. I’ve seen candidates land jobs just by being active. If you’re only applying but never posting, commenting, or optimizing your profile, you’re invisible. Show up and engage ~ hiring managers are watching! 3. Pitch yourself. One of my clients landed a role by cold-emailing a hiring manager with actionable ideas to improve their marketing. (Note that you must do this strategically or it will backfire and you might come off as a know-it-all!) Sometimes, the best jobs aren’t even listed until the right person makes a case for them. 4. Look beyond LinkedIn & job boards. So many great opportunities exist outside the usual platforms. Depending on your industry, check out: AngelList – startups Wellfound – tech We Work Remotely – fully remote jobs Behance / Dribbble / CreativeMornings – creative roles 5. Get expert guidance. If your job search feels like a black hole, you don’t have to figure it out alone. A career coach (like me!) can help you fine-tune your strategy, craft outreach messages, and unlock hidden job opportunities so you're not stuck in the endless cycle of online applications. Bottom line? If what you're doing isn’t working, let’s build a strategy that does!

Most job seekers make this mistake: They jump straight into applying — and get filtered out before a human even sees their resume. Recruiters use multiple channels to find candidates - job posts, social media, networking, referrals, and sourcing tools. If you're only using a single-channel approach in your job search, it puts you at a disadvantage. Here's the system I've used in my own job search - based on 20 years of recruiting experience: Step 1: Build your recruiter magnet - Make sure your LinkedIn matches your resume. No contradictions - Showcase your work with links to your portfolio, GitHub, and relevant projects - Use a headline that signals what you do well - not just your current job title Step 2: Apply smart - Set job alerts on LinkedIn and Google - Apply within 8 hours of a posting going live - timing matters - Follow up directly with the hiring manager via LinkedIn DM and email Keep it short, relevant, and focused on why you're genuinely interested Step 3: Stay visible - Comment on posts from people at your target companies - Share 1–2 posts a week about what you’re learning, building, or thinking about - Connect with folks on the teams you’d want to join - Engage in Niche Communities: Go where the pros are. This could be a specific Slack or Discord community for their field (e.g., "Product-Led Alliance" for product managers, "DataTalks.Club" for data scientists), a professional association, or local meetups. Active, helpful participation there gets you noticed by senior people Step 4: Leverage weak ties (AKA - The Hidden Job Market) Everyone knows to ask close friends for help. The real magic is in "weak ties" — former colleagues, friends of friends, people you met once at an event. A quick "Hey, keeping an eye out for marketing roles and thought of your company" works. Step 5: Follow the Funding (follow the money): Sites like TechCrunch or Crunchbase announce new funding rounds. A newly funded company is almost always looking to hire. Reaching out right after a big announcement is a great way to get on their radar early. Something to add? Need help with any of the above? Drop a note in the comments! #jobsearchstrategy #recruitingtips #careerplaybook #jobhunting2025

Job search in 2025 isn’t about applying more. It’s about applying smarter. Most job seekers spend 90% of their time on the application… and almost no time on the approach. Here’s what actually works and how to do it step-by-step: 1️⃣ Find companies hiring… even if the role isn’t posted How to do it: 1. Go to LinkedIn → Search roles you want → Filter by “Past 30 days” → Note which companies are hiring frequently. 2. Search “hiring + your role” in the LinkedIn search bar → Sort by Posts → Find teams hiring unofficially. 3. Check the company’s Careers page weekly — many roles never reach LinkedIn. This helps you catch opportunities before they become competitive. 2️⃣ Reach out to people who recently joined the company How to do it: 1. Search: `Company → People → Joined within last 1 year`. Message them: “Hi, I saw you recently joined <Company>. How was your experience? Any tips for someone exploring roles there?” 2. Don’t ask for a referral first. Build context. Ask for insights. People who’ve just cleared the bar know exactly what matters. 3️⃣ Tailor your resume to the job, not your entire life story How to do it: 1. Copy the job description into a doc. 2. Highlight the skills, tools, and verbs they repeat (e.g., “optimize, automate, scale”). 3. Match your bullet points to those themes. 4. Remove anything not relevant to that specific role. A focused resume wins over a long resume. 4️⃣ Show proof of work How to do it: 1. Analysts → Share dashboards, SQL queries, case studies. 2. Product/Program → Share PRDs, Roadmaps, “Before→After” impact. 3. Tech → GitHub, small builds, open-source contributions. 4. Marketing → Campaign deck, portfolio, results screenshot. Hiring managers love evidence, not promises. 5️⃣ Treat job search as a pipeline, not chaos How to do it: 1. Track companies, contacts, resume versions, follow-ups in a simple sheet. 2. Set a weekly target: ✔ 10 quality reach-outs ✔ 2 resume tweaks ✔ 1 mock interview 3. Follow up after 5–7 days — most candidates never do. Consistency beats luck. Job search is no longer a numbers game. It’s a strategy game. If you’re job hunting right now, you’re not behind. You just need the right direction. Tell me which step you want me to break down even further, I’ll create a post for it. #jobsearch #careeradvice #careertips #resume #linkedin

Job searching isn't just about getting hired. It's about finding your place. Most candidates rush into interviews with a reactive mindset: - Respond to recruiter messages  - Apply to trendy companies - Accept the first decent offer Then they wonder why they're miserable 6 months later. In a recent Supra Insider episode with Troy Sultan (CEO of Guide.co), we uncovered a better approach: 1/ Start with honest self-reflection ↳ Stack-rank what truly matters to you (comp, growth, flexibility, culture) ↳ Run thought experiments: "Would I take 20% less pay for 2x growth potential?" ↳ Calculate your financial runway to know how selective you can be ↳ Build a job search strategy before executing your search ↳ Create a "criteria scorecard" to evaluate potential employers 2/ Treat your job search like a full-time job ↳ Budget your time upfront—know exactly how much time you can invest ↳ Understand what "interviewing within your means" looks like for your situation ↳ Create interview questions that directly address your top criteria ↳ Remember: Getting a job is a job 3/ Look for signals of a quality recruiting experience ↳ Notice the level of proactivity vs. reactivity in communication ↳ Check if they provide clear expectations about the entire interview process upfront ↳ See if they offer prep materials or calls before important interviews ↳ Assess whether they value transparency or dodge difficult questions 4/ Intentionally test company culture ↳ Manufacture small conflicts in interviews to see how they respond ↳ Ask direct questions about why previous team members left ↳ Give constructive feedback to your interviewer and observe their reaction ↳ Request specific examples of how they've handled situations similar to your concerns 5/ Practice the art of discovery throughout the process ↳ Balance answering their questions with asking your own ↳ Slip in key questions throughout—don't save everything for the end ↳ Ask "do you have any reservations about me?" to surface concerns early ↳ View each interaction as an opportunity to evaluate fit, not just to impress 6/ Show up authentically ↳ The more you "perform" in interviews, the more you'll need to keep performing at work ↳ If they reject the real you, that's valuable data (and saved time) ↳ Great companies want candidates who thoughtfully challenge them ↳ Share personal priorities openly (like Troy's friend mentioning Coachella) Here's the key mindset shift: You're not just trying to get ANY job. You're selecting a place to invest years of your life. As Troy shared: "The worst outcome isn't not getting a job—it's getting the wrong one." What other strategies have you found helpful for being intentional in your job search?

Next-Level Job Hunting Strategies: How to Compete (and Win) in a Crowded Market Let’s face it: the job market isn’t just competitive, it’s a battlefield. You’re not just up against other qualified professionals. You’re up against automation, noise, and outdated hiring processes. But here’s the truth: Most job seekers are still playing by the old rules. If you want to win in today’s market, you need to level up your strategy—not just your resume. Here are 5 next-level job hunting strategies that will set you apart: ⸻ 1. Build a “Pull Strategy,” Not Just a Push Strategy Most people apply, apply, apply. That’s a push strategy. But the smartest job seekers build visibility and authority so recruiters and hiring managers come to them. How? • Post insights weekly on LinkedIn tied to your expertise • Comment on industry content to stay top of mind • Share results-driven wins from past roles (metrics matter!) Be the signal, not the noise. ⸻ 2. Treat Your Resume Like a Sales Page You’re not writing a biography, you’re marketing a product: you. Each line should highlight value delivered, problems solved, and growth driven. Quick fix: Instead of: “Managed social media accounts” Write: “Increased LinkedIn engagement by 230% in 6 months through targeted content strategy.” Results get interviews. Period. ⸻ 3. Target Roles Like a Marketer Targets ICPs Don’t spray and pray. Get specific. Build a “dream list” of companies that align with your mission, values, and skills. Then: • Follow their content • Connect with employees • Reach out with relevance, not just a resume It’s ABM (Account-Based Marketing) for your career. ⸻ 4. Master the “Value Drop” Outreach Message Forget the generic “I’m interested in opportunities” note. Use this framework: “Hi [Name], I’ve followed [Company]’s work in [X] and love your approach to [Y]. I specialize in [Z] and recently [insert high-impact result]. I’d love to explore how I can bring this kind of value to your team.” It’s clear. Confident. And most importantly—memorable. ⸻ 5. Interview Like a Consultant, Not a Candidate Top candidates don’t just answer questions, they ask the right ones, and offer insights. Bring ideas to the table. Ask about challenges. Talk strategy. Pro Tip: Come prepared with a 30-60-90 day plan or “value blueprint.” It shows leadership before you’re hired. ⸻ Final Thought: Job hunting is no longer about being the most qualified—it’s about being the most strategic. So stop waiting. Start marketing. And treat your job search like the high-stakes campaign it is. Because the best roles don’t just go to the most experienced. They go to the most intentional. Please follow for more strategy insights. #JobSearchStrategy #NextLevelCareer #CMOInsights #CareerGrowth #PersonalBranding #LinkedInTips #JobHunting #InterviewTips #ExecutiveSearch #MarketingYourself #LeadershipHiring #CareerMoves #JobSearch2025

Nothing is the same as it used to be 5 years ago. The way we consume content. The way we communicate. The way we learn things. The way we do work. The way we talk. Everything changed. So, why are we still using the old methods to get a job? Sending out resumes and cover letters, waiting for responses, and going through multiple rounds of interviews—no longer aligns with the fast-paced, digital world we live in. Here’s how you can modernize your job search: 1️⃣ Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like LinkedIn to build your professional brand. Share your work, engage with industry leaders, and connect with potential employers. 2️⃣ Create a Digital Portfolio: Showcase your skills and projects online. Use websites like Behance, GitHub, or a personal blog to highlight your achievements. 3️⃣ Network Virtually: Attend virtual conferences, webinars, and meetups. Networking is no longer confined to physical events. 4️⃣ Utilize AI Tools: Use AI-powered platforms to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job application. Tools like Jobscan and Resume Worded can help optimize your documents for applicant tracking systems (ATS). 5️⃣ Apply Strategically: Instead of applying to every job opening, focus on positions that align with your skills and career goals. Use job search engines like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn Jobs to find the best matches. 6️⃣ Prepare for Remote Interviews: With remote work becoming more common, be ready for virtual interviews. Ensure you have a good internet connection, a quiet space, and practice using video conferencing tools. 7️⃣ Showcase Soft Skills: Employers value soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Highlight these skills in your resume, cover letter, and during interviews. 8️⃣ Stay Updated: Keep up with industry trends and continuously upskill yourself. Online courses, certifications, and webinars are great ways to stay relevant. The job market has evolved, and so should your job search strategy. What new strategies have you tried? Share your experiences and tips below!