How to Land a Job You Love

A friend of mine was recently laid off, and he reached out to ask for some advice on how to approach his job hunt. One thing I told him was that this is actually the perfect moment to pause and reassess. A layoff is painful, but it also forces you to confront an important question. What do you really want to do next? Not what is available today. Not what a recruiter happens to send you. What you actually want to do. The type of company you want to be part of. The kind of work that energises you. The teams you enjoy working with. The parts of your previous roles you loved, and the parts you never want to repeat again. Once you have that clarity, the next steps become an exercise in intentional searching instead of just taking the first job that comes along. One thing I have noticed is that many people approach their job hunt in a very passive way. They wait for opportunities that appear on job portals or from recruiters, and they choose from whatever happens to show up in front of them, instead of what they actually want. There is a better and far more intentional way to approach your career. Instead of browsing endlessly on job sites, start with clarity. Here is the approach I would challenge you to try. 1 / 🎯 List five companies you genuinely want to work for Not fantasy dream companies, but realistic ones that excite you. Companies that would hire someone with your skills today. Companies you would be proud to join. 2 / 🧩 Identify the roles that suit you best Look at your skill set, strengths, and experience, and write down the roles in each of these companies that you would be qualified for. Focus on roles you can realistically get now, not ten years from now. 3 / 🤖 Use AI to expand your list of roles Use ChatGPT or any AI tool to help uncover roles in these companies that you may not know exist. Sometimes the best fitting roles are the ones you never thought to search for. 4 / 🔍 Search LinkedIn to check availability Look for these roles on LinkedIn. If they are not open, look for people who currently hold these positions or for hiring managers who oversee these teams. These contacts can give you clarity on timing and requirements. 5 / ☕ Reach out and make your own luck Send a message, ask for a coffee, or ask if their team might be hiring soon. Many opportunities never make it to the job boards, and many people are willing people are to share information or offer guidance. Far too many people jump straight into panic mode and take the first role that appears in front of them. But your next job shapes the next few years of your life. It deserves more thought than that. If you are in a similar situation or considering a change, give yourself the space to be deliberate. Think about the companies that excite you. Think about the roles that fit your strengths. Take ownership of the process and reach out to people. Make your own luck. Build a career you actually want, rather than one that happens by accident.

"Follow your passion" is incomplete advice. Here's what's missing: Passion without strategy leaves you broke. Strategy without passion leaves you empty. After helping 1,000+ professionals find fulfilling, well-paid careers, here's what actually works: The problem with "follow your passion" thinking: Most people think it's either/or: meaningful work OR good money. That's a false choice. Here's the complete framework: Find the intersection of four things: 1. What brings you happiness and joy 2. What brings you excitement and fulfillment 3. What you're naturally good at 4. What the market pays well for That sweet spot? That's where both wealth and satisfaction are built. The strategic approach: Don't choose passion over money or money over passion. Choose the role that delivers both. Why this matters: Financial stress kills passion faster than anything else. But money without meaning creates a different kind of misery. The real truth: The most successful professionals aren't just following passion or just chasing money. They're strategically pursuing work that: • Aligns with their values • Utilizes their strengths • Solves meaningful problems • Provides excellent compensation Here's what works: Step 1: Identify what truly energizes you (not just what you think should) Step 2: Find where that intersects with market demand Step 3: Develop the skills to command premium compensation in that space Step 4: Position yourself strategically to land that role Bottom line: Don't follow your passion blindly. Don't chase money soullessly. Find work that pays well AND fulfills you deeply. Life's too short to accept the false choice between meaning and money. You can have both. Are you settling for half of what you deserve?

You're not 100% qualified. Here's how to still get the job. Most executives don’t meet every requirement in a job description. But the best jobs aren’t filled through online applications. They’re filled through relationships and strategy. Here’s how to stand out and land the role: 1. Know what you want - Don't settle for whatever is available - Don't apply to everything and hope someone picks you - Instead, reflect on your strengths, skills, and values - Focus on where you can show up as your best self. 2. Tap into the hidden job market - Reconnect with former colleagues and mentors. - Reach out to people at companies where you want to work - Attend industry events and speak on panels. - Get warm introductions to decision-makers. - The best jobs aren't even posted online. 3. Position yourself as a thought leader - Post insights and leadership lessons on LinkedIn. - Comment on industry leaders’ posts to get noticed. - Publish articles or speak at conferences. 4. Sell your value, not just qualifications - Reframe your experience to highlight leadership and impact. - Share stories of solving real business problems. - Focus on results, influence, and strategic vision. - Paint the picture of what you will do for them. 5. Build a personal brand beyond your resume - Use LinkedIn to showcase your thoughts, reflections, wins, and lessons learned. - Let people see who you are beyond the job title. - Become known outside of your company - Be known for your expertise before you apply. The best opportunities go to those who show up differently. Which of these will you focus on first? 👇 If you need help with your executive job search, DM me to set up a free strategy call.

Here’s a different way to land your dream job. Stop sending resumes and cover letters. Why? You’re a vanilla scoop in a sea of vanilla scoops. Instead, be the pistachio scoop. How? Pretend you’re hired. Show the work. Pick the company you want to work for. Not because they’re hiring. Because you like what they sell. Find the person who owns the outcome. VP of Sales. Director of Business Development. Then show them you can do the job. Not with words. With evidence. An outreach plan. Who you’d target. How you’d reach them. What you’d say. Why it would work. Then this email: “John I can help you book more meetings with Benefits Directors. To show you how I think, I put together an outreach plan. It covers who I’d contact, the messages I’d use, and the channels I’d test. There’s also a short intro video in the doc for context. Either way, I hope it’s useful.” No begging. No convincing. No attachment. You’re not asking for a job. You’re doing the job. Do the work quietly. Let the right people notice.

I’ve coached thousands of job seekers who felt lost and overwhelmed. Here are the 10 steps we start with to find the right path: 1. Your #1 Priority Clarity should be the first thing you invest in. It makes career success SO much easier (at every stage). When you have clarity, you can invest 100% of your energy into that goal. So before you start applying to jobs or grad school? Find your path. 2. The Myth Of “Passion” People think passion is a lightning bolt that suddenly hits you. One day you wake up knowing what you're supposed to do. That's BS. Passion stems from action. It's the result of trying new things. If you want to find your path? You need to act. 3. Map Out Your Ideal Lifestyle Career happiness doesn't come from a job title. It stems from the ability to meet your lifestyle needs: – Target salary – Ideal living situation – Surrounded by people you love – Work that fills your cup Start by defining all of these things. 4. Label Your Energy Next, grab a piece of paper. Make two columns: 1. Energy Creators 2. Energy Drainers Now list out every single activity, task, and project you've worked on. Label each as a creator or drainer. Your career path should be filled with energy creators. 5. Clarify Your Strengths Success is easier when your path plays to natural strengths. I recommend the High 5 Test. It's a 15 minute quiz that will define your top strengths. It'll tell you what each means and how to harness it. Talent: A natural way of thinking, feeling, behaving × Investment: Time spent practicing, developing your skills, or building a knowledge base = Strength: The ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance 6. Find People Doing "Cool" Stuff Now you've created clarity around your strengths, energy, and ideal lifestyle. Next, I want you to find people already living that life. Who has a job you admire? What jobs have seemed “cool” to you in the past? Make a list of 30+ contacts. 7. Reach Out & Learn Make a daily habit of reaching out to one person. Be honest about your situation and desire for clarity. Then make sure to build up their achievements and mention why you admire them. Here's the email template I used when I was on this journey: The Winning Template: Subject: Quick Question  Hi [Name], My name is [Your Name] and I came across your information on LinkedIn while I was looking for people who transitioned into [Industry/Field] from a non-traditional background. Your background is really impressive! I saw you do different fields and [Industry/Field] really piqued my interest. If you have a few minutes, I’d love to hear more about your journey and how you landed in your role today. I know that’s a big ask so no worries if it’s too much. I totally understand. Either way, hope you have a great rest of the week!  

Want to know how to land your dream job? Here's a proven job search framework that has worked for over 100 people I've helped: 1. Set a crystal-clear goal - Write down your ideal role - Define your non-negotiables - List your target salary range 2. Research like your career depends on it - Study market trends - Track industry developments - Follow key thought leaders 3. Pick your top 5 dream employers - Check their growth trajectory - Review their culture - Analyze their hiring patterns 4. Polish your profiles (all of them.) - Update LinkedIn daily - Craft a compelling resume - Clean up social media presence 5. Network strategically - Connect with industry peers - Reach out to past colleagues - Join relevant professional groups Here's what most people miss: consistency beats intensity. Spending 30 minutes daily on these steps for 60 days straight. Result? 3 job offers, all above market rate. The framework works, but only if you work it. Quick reality check: Are you actually following these steps, or just reading about them? P.S. Which step do you find most challenging? Drop a comment below. #jobsearch #jobseekers #careertips

The truth about landing your dream job in 2024 Here’s how I did it (and you can too). 1/ Simplify your personal pitch. ↳ Hiring managers don’t have time for fluff—get to the point quickly. ↳ Use clear, direct language to communicate your skills and value. ↳ Focus on solving a specific problem for the company, not just listing your experience. Takeaway: Make your message easy to understand and relevant to the role. 2/ Master the art of storytelling. ↳ Trigger emotions like curiosity or inspiration in your interviews. ↳ Share stories that reflect your achievements and how you’ve overcome challenges. ↳ Use powerful hooks in your resume and cover letter to grab attention. Takeaway: Great stories help you stand out and leave a lasting impression. 3/ Build your identity capital. ↳ Embrace what makes you unique—whether it’s your skills, experiences, or passions. ↳ Highlight your journey and what you stand for; this attracts the right employers. ↳ Remember, being interesting will make you memorable and desirable to hiring teams. Takeaway: Your uniqueness is your strongest asset—let it shine in your job search. 4/ Focus on building connections, not just sending applications. ↳ Networking is key—reach out to people in your industry and build relationships. ↳ Create a sense of connection by sharing your values and interests with potential employers. ↳ Turn informational interviews into opportunities by showing genuine interest and aligning with the company’s mission. Takeaway: Connections create opportunities—nurture them, and your dream job will follow. 5/ Understand market timing. ↳ Pay attention to trends and shifts in hiring practices and industry needs. ↳ Adapt your job search strategy to what’s in demand right now without losing sight of your career goals. ↳ Stay ahead by being aware of what skills and experiences employers are currently seeking. Takeaway: Timing is crucial—align your job search with market needs to stay competitive. TL;DR: 1/ Simplify your pitch for clarity. 2/ Tell engaging stories that resonate in interviews. 3/ Embrace your unique identity to stand out. 4/ Build connections that lead to opportunities. 5/ Stay tuned to hiring trends to land the right role. What’s one unique skill or experience you can share today? Comment below and let’s start refining your job search strategy together. P.S. Think of your career like investing—your best asset is always your personal brand.

In today’s job market, blending in is the same as being invisible. Want to stand out and land that dream role? Start here.    Here's 12 tips to stand out in a crowded job market    1. Know the Company Inside Out  Don’t just glance at their website, dig deep. Understand their goals, values, and latest projects.  ✅ Action Tip: Spend 15 minutes researching their latest news and mention it during your interview.    2. Customize Every Application  One-size-fits-all resumes get tossed. Tailor your resume and cover letter for every role.  ✅ Action Tip: Highlight three skills or experiences from the job post in your application.    3. Use the Right Keywords  Match your resume language to the job description to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).  ✅ Action Tip: Add key phrases like “team leadership” directly from the job listing to your resume.    4. Follow Up  A thank-you email shows you’re thoughtful and eager.  ✅ Action Tip: Send a thank-you within 24 hours. Reference something specific from the interview.    5. Quantify Your Successes  Numbers stand out. Instead of “managed sales,” write “increased sales by 20% in six months.”  ✅ Action Tip: Add measurable results to each role on your resume.    6. Ask Real Questions  Show genuine interest with meaningful questions about the role or company’s future.  ✅ Action Tip: Prepare two thoughtful questions, like “What’s the team’s biggest goal this year?”    7. Build a Clean Online Presence  Employers check LinkedIn and social media—keep it professional.  ✅ Action Tip: Update your LinkedIn profile and share an industry-related post.    8. Reach Out and Network  Don’t rely on job boards alone. Connect with employees or recruiters.  ✅ Action Tip: Message two people at each company where you apply, explaining your interest.    9. Prepare for Basic Interview Questions  Practice answering common questions like “Tell me about yourself” confidently.  ✅ Action Tip: Write down and rehearse answers for the top five interview questions.    10. Be quick to respond  Recruiters like quick responses. Don’t make them wait days for a response.  ✅ Action Tip: Set notification alerts for incoming messages    11. Show Off Soft Skills  Employers value adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving. Share examples.  ✅ Action Tip: Prepare a story about a time you solved a problem or overcame a challenge.    12. Proofread for Perfection  A typo can ruin your chances. Double-check everything.  ✅ Action Tip: Print your resume and review it on paper to catch errors.    Follow these steps, and you’ll stand out. Each action shows you’re thoughtful, prepared, and serious about the job.    Which of these is the most helpful for job seekers? Share below! ⬇️    ♻️ Repost to help your network.  ➕Follow Ricardo Cuellar for more content like this.   

Job applications right now are outpacing openings by 31%. How do you navigate that if you're job hunting? Be pickier. 🎯 I'm not joking. Why? Because knowing what you want will Wildly increase your ability to land a great job. Follow me here: Imagine you are a hiring manager interviewing 2 equally qualified candidates. You ask a common interview question: "What interests you in this role and our company?" ↳ One candidate articulates what excites them about the role and the company. ↳ The other answers in generalities. Who are you going to hire? ❌ Knowing what you want going in doesn't narrow your options. ✅ It focuses your efforts and makes you a stronger candidate. ✅ It also makes the best use of your time and energy in your job search. That's why I developed The Ideal Job formula. Of course there is no single “ideal” job out there (at least it is very unlikely!) The key is to understand: ↳ What we want ↳ What we can compromise ↳ Where we need to stand firm. These 5 areas comprise the aspects of work that matter to most of us. Use them to make a model of what "Ideal" looks like for you. 1. Skills  ↳ What are the skills you enjoy and want to use regularly?  ↳ This is not what you can do. It's what you want to do. 2. Pay & Benefits  ↳ Define a range for your salary including any bonuses and commission  ↳ Note benefits like vacation time, flexible schedules, tuition benefits, insurance, etc. 3. Culture ↳ What are you looking for in a work environment? ↳ What norms will support you in terms of hours, atmosphere, and engagement? 4. Location ↳ Where are you working? Are you looking for in-office, hybrid, or remote? ↳ How about the office? Cubicles? Windows? What do you need to be comfortable? 5. People ↳ Who are you working with most of the time? ↳ Do you prefer a lot of interaction or less? Here's the secret: ✅ Knowing what you want in a job will dramatically increase your chances of getting it. ✅ Knowing helps you better respond to tough questions. ✅ Knowing boosts your confidence. And that comes across. Tell us what's most important to you in a job in the comments 👇 For more job hunting advice, subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eEdhDCb3 ➕ Follow Sarah Baker Andrus to make sure you see my daily posts!