Ace Your Job Search: Resume and Career Essentials for 2025

Career Satisfaction Survey

Finding the right career path can be a daunting task, filled with uncertainties and questions about what truly matters to you. To navigate this journey effectively, it's crucial to identify your career must-haves—the non-negotiable elements you seek in your next role.

In our comprehensive Career Satisfaction Survey exercise, we'll guide you through the process of defining your must-haves and unlocking insights that will shape your career decisions. Let's explore how this exercise can help you find professional fulfillment.

1. Defining Your Must-Haves: In this exercise, you will create a list of 10 must-haves for your next role. These must-haves are specific qualities, benefits, or aspects you desire in a job. While we provide examples to get you started (see the attachment below), the power lies in customizing the list with your own unique preferences and priorities. Consider factors such as work-life balance, growth opportunities, company culture, location, salary, benefits, and the nature of the work itself.
   

2. Comparing and Prioritizing: Once you have your list of must-haves, it's time to compare them against each other. Assign a rank to each item to reflect its importance in your career decision-making process. This step allows you to gain clarity on which factors are truly indispensable to your professional happiness and which ones may be more flexible.
   

3. Guiding Your Job Search: By completing the career satisfaction survey exercise, you will gain valuable insights into the types of roles you should target and the work environments that align with your priorities. This exercise serves as a compass, guiding you toward opportunities that are better suited to meet your specific needs and desires. You'll be able to make more informed decisions when evaluating job openings and assessing potential employers.
   

4. Aligning Your Career Path: Understanding your must-haves empowers you to align your career path with your personal values, aspirations, and long-term goals. It helps you avoid settling for jobs that may not fulfill your needs or lead to long-term satisfaction. Instead, you can focus your energy on pursuing opportunities that align with your unique criteria, increasing the likelihood of finding a role that brings you joy, growth, and fulfillment.

By identifying and comparing your must-haves, you gain a deeper understanding of your career priorities and can make more strategic decisions when it comes to job searching and evaluating potential roles. This exercise empowers you to seek opportunities that align with your values, aspirations, and desired work environment. Embrace this exercise as a means of self-discovery and as a roadmap to navigate your path toward a truly fulfilling career. Remember, your career should be a source of growth, happiness, and personal satisfaction.

ATS Mistakes to Avoid

Alright, folks, it's time to delve into the intricate world of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). There are a few missteps that you definitely want to avoid, so buckle up as we navigate this maze.

Imagine yourself as the head honcho of your own company. Quite an empowering image, isn't it? Yet, to potential employers, it could raise flags - concerns about your manageability or fit within their corporate culture. So, instead of showcasing yourself as the big boss, it's often more effective to go for a functional job title that truly captures your role. Titles like Operations Manager or Business Director can offer a clearer and more approachable image to employers.

Let's face it, ageism is an unsavory reality in the job market. Some ATSs are actually set to pre-screen resumes/CVS featuring over 15-20 years of experience. Our counter-strategy here is simple - shift the spotlight onto your recent roles, leaving the distant past in the shadows. That doesn't mean we can't talk about earlier experience. We just have to be careful about how we do it.

Now, what if you've had a series of short-term gigs? Fear not, we've got a workaround. The idea here is to present these positions in a way that doesn't brand you as a serial job-hopper. We might merge roles, focus on years rather than specific dates, and craft a narrative that shows a streamlined, strategically planned career path.

Finally, job-juggling and side hustles can be a double-edged sword. Overlapping dates might raise questions about your loyalty, focus, and let's not mince words, the possibility of corporate espionage. To mitigate this, we present your experience in a way that minimizes or even eliminates overlapping dates, keeping hiring managers focused on the main plot of your career story - the unique value you bring to their team.

The file titled "ATS View.png" is an example of what a recruiter sees when using an ATS.

Writing for the Hiring Manager

You may think of your resume/CV as a snapshot of your career, but let's adjust that lens a little. Picture your resume not as a simple "headshot" but as a dynamic, action-packed "movie trailer" that captivates the audience and leaves them wanting more. This shift from static to dynamic is what focusing on achievements over responsibilities accomplishes, and trust me, it makes a huge difference.

Achievements are the cinematic highlights of your career, the awe-inspiring feats that make hiring managers sit up in their seats and say, "Whoa, we've got a game-changer on our hands here." Hiring managers and recruiters are not just interested in what you've done, but how well you've done it. How you've shaken things up, driven change, and made a tangible impact. That's what sets you apart in the sea of candidates they wade through every day.

Now, I don't just pull these assertions out of thin air. Over the past nine years, I've been on a mission to unlock the secret formula of successful resumes/CVs, and this is it. I've polled my extensive network of recruiters, headhunters, and hiring managers worldwide, conducted extensive research, and it's always the same result: achievements, not duties, are the golden ticket.

And the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. With a success rate of 99% and a portfolio of over 2,000 satisfied clients (and counting), I've built my reputation on this achievement-centered approach. The funny part? I haven't had to market my services once.

My work speaks for itself, loud and clear. And that's exactly what your resume can do when it focuses on achievements. It shouts to the hiring managers, "This is not just another candidate. This is the one you've been looking for." So, let's roll the highlights, shall we?

Resume Guidelines

Resume formatting basics - a topic so often brushed over yet so integral to your success. Ever notice how an effortlessly chic individual stands out in a crowded room? That's because they know the secret - simplicity never fails. The same principle applies to your resume.

Contact Information: This section should include your name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile, and your city and state. Remember, omit your full mailing address - it's not necessary and takes up valuable space.

Professional Summary: Consider this your elevator pitch. 2-4 brief paragraphs showcasing who you are as a professional and your core competencies. Be succinct yet impactful.

Areas of Expertise: This is a section to spotlight your professional skills and knowledge areas that are particularly relevant to the job you're applying for. These could include technical skills, languages, project management methodologies, or any industry-specific knowledge.

Notable Achievements: Here, you will highlight 3-5 key accomplishments that demonstrate your abilities and value. They can be from any point in your career, so long as they're impressive and relevant. Always aim to quantify these where possible.

Experience/Achievements: This is the meat and potatoes of your resume. List your job title, company, dates of employment, and bullet-point achievements and responsibilities under each role. This should not be a simple list of duties but a showcase of your accomplishments .

Education/Qualifications/Certifications: In this section, you list your degree(s), the institution(s) you attended, and graduation date(s) if recent. If you have relevant certifications, those should be included here as well.

Volunteerism: An often-overlooked section that can make a significant impact, especially if you're newer to the workforce or if the volunteer work is particularly relevant to the job you're applying for. Detail your role, the dates of involvement, and your accomplishments or contributions there.

Remember, the order of these sections can change based on what stage you're at in your career. For instance, a recent graduate might place the "Education/Qualifications/Certifications" section before their "Experience/Achievements". Always tailor your resume to highlight your most impressive and relevant features first.

You can skip this section if you already have a good idea of how long your resume should be and how much content you'd like to include.

However, we strongly recommend completing this section if...

1. You're building your document from scratch2. You currently have a 3+ page document
3. You are new to modern resume standards
4. You're having trouble figuring out how much information to include

Exercise 1: Role Relevance Ranker

The "Role Relevance Ranker," is a tool that will help you efficiently allot the space on your resume by considering the relevance of each role you've held.

The Role Relevance Ranker works by assigning a relevance score to each of your past roles. This score, ranging from 1 to 5, is based on how closely related each job is to the position you're applying for. A score of 5 denotes a job that's directly relevant; a score of 2-4 is for roles somewhat related; and a score of 1 is for roles that are indirectly related or unrelated.

After scoring, you multiply the relevance score by the number of years you spent in that role. The result helps you determine how much space or how many bullet points to dedicate to each job on your resume. A job with a higher resulting number should receive more space and vice versa.

This approach is incredibly useful for a few reasons. First, it encourages you to focus your resume on your most relevant experience, increasing the chances that hiring managers will see you as a strong fit for the position. Second, it aids in eliminating or reducing less relevant information, which can distract from your core qualifications or make your resume too long.

Exercise 2: Resume Length Calibrator

The "Resume Length Calibrator" is a purpose-built exercise designed to guide job seekers in determining the ideal length of their resume. The exercise involves a practical, step-by-step approach that considers factors such as your total years of work experience, the number of jobs you've held, the relevance of each job to your target role, and the volume of significant achievements and skills you want to include.

The calibrator works by first helping you categorize your past roles based on relevance to your target job. Then it guides you in allocating word counts to each role based on the significance they hold for your prospective employer. The exercise ensures that the most weight is given to the most important roles and achievements, and it helps you avoid overfilling your resume with less pertinent details.

This approach is beneficial as it ensures that your resume is optimized for both human reviewers and applicant tracking systems. By streamlining your resume to an appropriate length, you increase your chances of maintaining the reader's interest, making your document easier to read and more focused on your most noteworthy accomplishments. In the end, the "Resume Length Calibrator" is all about striking the perfect balance between brevity and thoroughness, enabling you to tell a compelling and concise career story.

Achievement-based Document

My documents break down into four key areas based on the amount of content you should aim for.

Achievements = 40%
Professional Summary = 25%
Responsibilities = 15%
Everything Else = 10% (Name, Contact Info, Job Titles, Company Names, Dates, Education, Training)

Pro Tip - Achievements are the most crucial part of your resume/CV, but that’s not to say education and training aren’t important. You’ll often see job descriptions with a requirement for an MBA or PMP certification, but very rarely will anyone care about what your dissertation was about or require a list of each module from your bachelor’s degree.

Just tell me what degree/certification you have and where you got it. We don’t have to include dates either. This can help with avoiding age discrimination.

I’ve tested and calibrated all these resume and CV formats to ensure that virtually every applicant tracking system (ATS) on the market can accurately read the information. This optimization increases the likelihood that your resume will get in front of the hiring manager, instead of being filtered out due to formatting errors. Beyond that, it also makes filling out online applications faster and easier because the systems will be able to correctly parse your resume’s content into the application fields. The time saved and the accuracy of your data ensure you stay focused on crafting a compelling application, not battling with technical glitches.

After years of experience, I’ve learned that job hunters need confidence in every aspect of their application materials—resume, CV, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and beyond. That confidence extends to the visual presentation of their resume. It’s not just about what the document says but how it looks and whether it reflects the candidate's professionalism and potential. That’s why selecting the right resume template is critical. A visually appealing design that aligns with your level of experience sets the tone for your application and ensures your content stands out for the right reasons. We've provided detailed guidelines to help you pick the format that best fits your situation, but remember, each template is fully customizable to suit your style or preferences.

Take your time to explore the descriptions of each format and trust your instincts when choosing. If you later decide that another format suits your goals better, all the content we develop can easily be swapped into a new design. This flexibility ensures you can present your best self to potential employers without being tied to a single option.

This section sets the tone for your entire document. The first few words, the summary’s length, and tone can significantly influence how a reader perceives you, the level of value you may bring to a new company, and how much he or she will continue to read.

We understand how challenging it can be to write about yourself. That's why we've put together a list of examples that you can use for inspiration to develop your own professional summary.

In most situations, we want the professional summary to include three paragraphs that each include 25-35 words. The pattern for each paragraph includes descriptors, actions you perform on the job, and how you’ll apply it. The overall aim is to describe yourself in ways that provide ample insight using the least amount of words.

First Paragraph

The aim of the first paragraph is to....The following example is from a marketing professional who’s worked at one of the biggest video game studios on the planet (Blizzard Entertainment).

Entrepreneurial and audience obsessed leader offering 6+ years of experience elevating marquee brands, leading large-scale creative projects, and driving operational excellence at intersection of marketing, creative services, and production.

{Descriptor} and {Descriptor} offering (xx) years of {experience/success} doing {task A}, {task B}, and {task C} at {industry, location, environment}.

Words like 'entrepreneurial' demonstrate you have a business mind-set and take ownership over tasks while phrases like 'operational excellence' show you as someone who’s always trying to get better while delivering best-in-class customer experiences.

Second Paragraph

The second paragraph focuses on communication skills and how you apply them.

Engaging storyteller and influential communicator with keen ability to engage with diverse audiences, strategic partners, and creative teams using interpersonal skills, process-oriented approach, and ability to connect with people on human level.

'Engaging' points to confidence and enthusiasm while being an 'influential communicator' means you’re someone who can get others to buy into your ideas as opposed to just telling them what to do. Here’s a different example of paragraph two.

Clear and concise communicator with high degree of emotional intelligence, relationship management skills, and proven ability to architect project plans that mobilise stakeholders, realise innovative solutions, and deliver projects on time and within budget.

'Emotional intelligence' is another high value phrase. Essentially, it’s the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathise with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict.

We can condense an idea with 25 words down to two using high-value phrases like emotional intelligence, influential communication, or entrepreneurial spirit.

Third Paragraph

While the first paragraph describes what you have done and the second paragraph talks about what kind of communicator you are, the third paragraph states what you will do. This client works for the nuclear regulatory body of a country in the Middle East.

Collaborative and strategic business partner focused on solving complex global challenges, driving data-driven decision making, and bridging gaps between junior technical staff and senior leaders to deliver clean, sustainable, and carbon-free power.

Again, we start with two descriptors, mention what we will do, and then define what will come from those actions.

This person is a 'collaborative' (easy to work with, likes teamwork) and 'strategic' (thinks long-term, judicious) 'business partner' (demonstrates a certain level of authority) who solves tough problems on a global scale, uses data to inform decisions, and creates an environment where the young and old get along so they can provide nuclear power to the country.

An insight I gathered from this client and my network of recruiters is that the nuclear sector is finding itself with an aging workforce that struggles to connect with the younger talent coming in. By describing the client as someone who can be the conduit between legacy staff and fresh recruits, we’re defining him as a person who knows how to get everyone on the same page.

According to a case study by Nesta, one of the leading agencies and think tanks focused on innovation,

'Collaboration enhances the implementation of innovative ideas and solutions by creating joint ownership, and spreading the risks to a larger group of actors.'

Flexibility is key with any winning resume. We have to tailor and target the document, depending on the job, and the 'Areas of Expertise' section offers a prime opportunity to do so.

Each format we’ve provided has an 'Areas of Expertise' section either to the side or directly below the Professional Summary. We generally want to keep the list between 8-12 examples or we risk making you look like the Jack/Jill of all trades and master of none.

Let’s use a project manager in the software industry for our first example.

• Project Management

• Software Development

• Project Scoping

• Budget Management

• Agile Methodologies

• Solutions Architecture

• Stakeholder Management

• Cross-Team Collaboration

Each of these keywords frequently come up in a job description for software project managers and are fairly universal across the industry.

Now, let’s assume the job description we’re targeting uses the phrase 'Stakeholder Relations' instead of 'Stakeholder Management.' These phrases are interchangeable, so don’t be afraid to adjust your resume to say 'Relations' instead of 'Management'.

Similar examples include Customer Relations | Customer Service, Operations Management | Operational Leadership, or Sales Growth | Revenue Growth.

As long as you can talk about something in an interview then you’re well within your rights to include it on a resume. If you’re not comfortable calling the section your 'Areas of Expertise' then adjust it to 'Areas of Proficiency', as proficiency offers a broader spectrum of knowledge than expertise.

Our database of resume/CVs current sits at around 2,300+. We ran a search for the most common keywords and compiled them into the document below.

Importance of Achievements

Let's think about your resume like a highlight reel. You wouldn't want to show every single move you made during the game, right? You'd want to focus on the home runs, the game-changing plays, those key achievements that really made an impact. That's the same approach you should take with your resume.

Sure, the day-to-day tasks are important, but what really grabs attention are the moments you stood out - when you boosted sales by 20%, managed a project that saved costs, or developed a system that increased efficiency. Those are the stories that make potential employers sit up and think, "Wow, this person can really deliver results."

So, let's keep it focused, let's keep it impactful. Remember, your resume/CV isn't just a list of jobs - it's your professional story, told through the lens of what you've achieved. And in the world of job hunting, that's a story that's guaranteed to be a page-turner.

Imagine for a moment you're at an art gallery. Now, there are two kinds of paintings that really catch your eye. There's the bold, standalone masterpiece that instantly draws you in. Then, there's the series of related pieces, each highlighting a different aspect of the same story, which together create a captivating narrative. Your resume is quite similar to this gallery.

Having a 'Notable Achievements' section is like that standalone masterpiece. It's the first thing that stands out, grabbing the reader's attention. It's your chance to shine a spotlight on your proudest accomplishments, those high-impact moments that define your career. It's an at-a-glance summary of your greatest hits, giving potential employers an immediate understanding of what you bring to the table.

On the other hand, including job-specific achievements within the 'Professional Experience' section is like that series of related paintings. Here, you're weaving a story of consistent success, painting a picture of your career progression. Each achievement shows how you've made an impact in specific roles, demonstrating your ability to deliver results time and again. This gives employers a deeper insight into how you operate within a role and how you could be a game-changer for their organization.

By having both, you're ensuring that your 'art gallery' - your resume - offers a compelling overview and an engaging deep dive into your career. It's a one-two punch of immediacy and detail that can truly set you apart in the job market.

Navigating the education and training section of your resume might feel like a balancing act, but fear not. Here's a helpful rule of thumb: less is more. Whether your degree is in business, engineering, or quantum physics, the key facts are your degree and the institution, not whether it's an Ivy League or a state-run college.

You see, although the prestige of an institution can add some clout and aid in networking, you typically won't need to dive deep into the nitty-gritty details like class lists or dissertation titles—unless, of course, you've recently graduated or are aiming for an academic position.

As you progress in your career, you'll notice that your peers and potential competition will have qualifications similar to or surpassing yours. That's where your unique achievements come in to steal the show, and why we put such a strong emphasis on them.

Now, let's consider technical skills. This is particularly significant in tech careers or roles that demand specific software proficiency. Picture this: there's a job opening that lists Python as a desirable skill, but your Python experience is minimal at best. What do you do?

Here's an actionable step: Enroll in an online Python course—Teachable, Coursera, and Udemy offer some great ones. Watch tutorials, read up on Python, familiarize yourself with it. Even a basic understanding could give you the edge when it's down to you and another candidate who doesn't know Python at all.

Keep in mind, companies consider the time and resources it takes to train a new hire. If the competition is neck and neck, the one who'll reach full productivity sooner is likely to come out on top. That's why even a little extra skill knowledge can give you the winning edge.

Through each step of this course, remember, you're not just building a resume. You're showcasing your unique skills and experiences that make you the best candidate for the job.

Remember, a typo or two might slip through the cracks, but maintaining professionalism is paramount. Tools like Grammarly are a lifesaver for avoiding cringe-worthy mix-ups - you wouldn't want to claim an entrepreneurial "sprit" or recount how you successfully "prostituted" a defendant. And let's not forget the hero who managed the store's busy afternoon "shits" by recruiting extra staff.

But, bear in mind that spell check won't pick up on everything. Mistaking a porch for a torch might give the wrong impression entirely! It's always a good idea to read your document out loud word by word before you hit submit.

When it comes to drafting your content, I tend to skip the articles and pronouns to keep the narrative punchy and focused.

For instance, instead of saying "I increased sales during the second quarter of 2022 by creating a new marketing plan," simply say, "Increased sales during Q2 of 2022 by creating new marketing plan."

The point remains the same, but the shortened sentence allows the reader to absorb the same information in less time. This gives them a greater chance to read the full document. Even fractions of a second are critical in a review process that usually only lasts about 10 seconds.

Also, remember to frame your sentences in the active voice, where you - the subject - are performing the action.

Here's a way to look at it. Instead of "I was eaten by Zombies," say "The Zombies ate me." Rather than "The sales were increased by me," go for "I increased the sales."

Which sentence do you think makes a stronger impact using fewer words?

If you think that a long, exhaustive list of job duties is what makes a resume/CV shine, well, I hate to break it to you, but that's as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. Okay, I hear you saying, "But surely, I need to mention the tasks I performed at each job?"

Of course, you do. But the key is striking the right balance. If your resume feels like an encyclopedia of duties and tasks, with just a pinch of achievements, it's time for a drastic shift.

Let's move away from listing responsibilities like they're grocery items. Instead, let's talk about impact. How did you make a difference in your role? Did you save the company money, increase efficiency, or drive growth? Those are the elements that make you stand out. Action-oriented language is like a neon sign flashing "impact-maker" to hiring managers.

Let's take this for a spin. Look at this statement: "Responsible for managing projects and long-term plan."

Now, let's inject some action and consequence into it: "Held full accountability for overseeing complex projects while creating and executing strategic plan."

Did you feel the difference? The second version underscores your active role and the consequences attached to it. It also breathes life into the phrase "complex projects" by hinting at what they focused on (software development, construction, etc.).

And let's not underestimate the power of language in connecting ideas. Adverbs such as "as well as," "along with," or "in addition to" can link two ideas smoothly, without the mechanical repetition of "and".

The phrase "strategic plan" can be a common keyword for several jobs. Coupling it with "creating" and "executing" shows action and initiative. It indicates that you're someone who can draft a plan and bring it to fruition.

Line spacing refers to the vertical distance between lines of text in your document. In MS Word, this is automatically set to 1.15 lines in newer versions, which gives a bit of breathing room between lines. But depending on what you're working on, you may want to adjust this.

When crafting your resume, the goal is to make it as easy to read and as concise as possible, usually sticking to 1-2 pages. Adjusting line spacing can be a big help with this.

Say you've written your resume and you've got some great stuff in there, but it's just a tad over two pages. That's where adjusting your line spacing can come in handy. By slightly reducing the space between your lines - perhaps to 1.0 - you can free up some space and get your resume down to that sweet spot of two pages without removing any of your valuable content.

On the other hand, if your resume feels a little cramped or too dense with information, increasing the line spacing can be a good idea. This can make your resume feel more open and easier to skim, which recruiters will certainly appreciate.

And how do you adjust line spacing? Well, it's a piece of cake. You just need to highlight the text you want to adjust, go to the 'Paragraph' dialogue box (again, this is under the 'Home' tab), and there you'll see an option for 'Line Spacing'. You can choose to increase or decrease this as you see fit. Just be sure to preview your changes to make sure your document still looks neat and professional!

So, line spacing: it's not just about aesthetics, it's a key tool for shaping the layout and readability of your resume. Happy adjusting!

So, kerning is a typography term that refers to the space between characters in a piece of text. By default, when you type something on MS Word, the program will automatically space the letters out for you. But sometimes, the spacing isn't perfect, especially between certain combinations of letters. For example, if you have the letter 'V' next to an 'A', there can be a bit too much space left between them, and that's where kerning comes in.

When you adjust the kerning, you're manually changing the space between two letters to make the word look more visually balanced and easy on the eye. This can be incredibly helpful in a resume/CV, where first impressions matter a lot.

Imagine this scenario: you're applying for a job and you have exactly the same qualifications and experience as another candidate. Your resume content is basically identical. But the difference is, you've taken the time to adjust the kerning in your document's headings and key areas, which gives your resume/CV a more polished, professional appearance. That could very well be the edge that gets you the interview.

So how do you do it? Well, it's pretty easy. You just highlight the text where you want to adjust the kerning, then go to the 'Font' dialogue box (you'll find this under the 'Home' tab), and click the 'Advanced' tab. You'll see an option for 'Character Spacing'. This is where you can tweak the kerning. You can choose to expand or condense the space between characters as needed. It might take a bit of experimentation, but you'll know when it looks right.

So that's kerning in a nutshell. It's a small detail, but when you're trying to make your resume/CV stand out, every little bit helps!

In this section of the course, we’ll explore two powerful tools for finding job opportunities: Google Job Search and LinkedIn Job Search. These platforms are essential for discovering a wide range of roles and connecting directly with employers. You’ll learn how to optimize your searches, set up alerts, and leverage key features that save time and increase your chances of landing interviews. By the end of this module, you’ll feel confident using these tools to streamline your job search and uncover hidden opportunities.

Google Job Search

Google Job Search makes it easy to find roles across multiple platforms in one place. Use specific keywords like “Project Manager Python” and include details like location or “remote” for refined results. Experiment with synonyms for job titles, as companies may use different terms.

Take advantage of filters to narrow results by date posted, job type, company, and salary range. After searching, toggle “Create alert” to get email notifications when new roles match your criteria. Use the "Save" feature to bookmark jobs and return later to apply.

Google often links directly to company websites or job boards, streamlining the application process. If salary details aren’t provided, Google may show estimates based on industry data. It’s also mobile-friendly, so you can search on the go.

LinkedIn Job Search

Before searching for jobs on LinkedIn, make sure your profile is optimized with relevant keywords in your headline, summary, and experience sections. Activate the “Open to Work” setting to signal your availability to recruiters.

Use LinkedIn’s advanced filters to refine searches by location, experience level, and job type. Set up job alerts for specific roles or companies to ensure you see opportunities early. Many jobs offer “Easy Apply,” but for positions requiring tailored applications, use the company’s website link.

Engage with job posters or recruiters when they’re visible on a listing. Send a polite, customized message to express your interest and stand out. Applying within the first 48 hours of a post significantly boosts your chances of success.

LinkedIn also provides insights like the number of applicants and desired skills for each role. Use this data to refine your application and consider reaching out to connections at the company for referrals. If you’re using LinkedIn Premium, monitor how your application compares to others to stay competitive.

Other Job Platforms to Explore

While Google and LinkedIn are invaluable, you may also find success on specialized platforms like Otta and Experteer. Here’s a quick overview:

Otta

• Designed for tech and startup roles, with smart algorithms that tailor job recommendations to your preferences.

• Includes detailed company insights, like diversity statistics, perks, and growth opportunities.

Experteer

• Focused on senior-level and executive roles, with a strong emphasis on high-paying opportunities.

• Offers access to executive recruiters and exclusive job postings, making it a top choice for experienced professionals.

These platforms, alongside Google and LinkedIn, can diversify your job search strategy and help you target roles that align with your goals.

There are bad words, dirty words, and then there are words like networking. Networking scares people for the same reason dating does.

You may have to introduce yourself to a stranger, and that stranger may ignore you. Even worse, that stranger might flat out reject you.

Just remember; it's all a part of the game.

Asking for information should be the core of your networking strategy. You’re not asking for a job or interview. Information is free. You’re also demonstrating a lack of desperation. Getting a job is like dating. One side can’t go all in. There has to be a back and forth.

Below is an exercise that will help you build out your network and identify individuals who can help start a conversation with a hiring manager.

Here’s a secret that’s going to really piss some people off. Some recruiters and HR staff are lazy. They want an easy life and smooth sailing when it comes to finding talent and getting them on the job.

To be fair, most people want the path of least resistance. Who wants to have 50 phone screeners with a half interested recruiter or go through a boring interrogation with the HR manager about God knows what?

So let’s cut out the muddled middle and talk to the people who are actually making decisions; the hiring manager. You’re going to run into situations where what I’m about to share won’t work. You may have to go through a recruiter or HR person to apply regardless of anything you do. However, when we bypass the gatekeepers and get your resume in the hands of your future boss then we’re accomplishing several things.

Here's an example of an intro email/LinkedIn message you could send to a potential hiring manger:

Dear [Person's Name]

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and although we haven't had the opportunity to connect before, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and express my keen interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company].

With over 15 years of experience in [industry or field], I have developed a deep understanding of [specific skills or expertise relevant to the job]. Throughout my career, I have successfully [mention notable achievements or contributions].

I would be delighted to address any inquiries you may have regarding my professional background and would appreciate the opportunity to ask some questions about the role.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message, and I look forward to connecting.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Let's recap.

Have a plan - understand what is really important to you in a job or career and use that knowledge to target your search process.

Leverage stories - consider the cause, your action, and the result when framing your achievements.

Build relationships - utilise your personal and professional network to identify opportunities and make connections.

Don’t give up - try not to take rejection personally; ask for constructive feedback, act on it, and look for that next opportunity.