Job Search Strategy in Current Climate

Since sharing my journey in this blog post on navigating career transitions, I’ve had the chance to connect with several fantastic job search coaches and companies. After thoughtful consideration, I’m excited to move forward with The Ambitious Exec, led by James Whittaker.

Special thanks to all the other companies and coaches I engaged with along the way: Executive Career Upgrades, Bonnie Career Services, Browning Associates, Pathrise, Relentless, Leap Academy, Candidate Ops, The Human Reach and Chris Tornow. Each offered valuable insights, making this decision both challenging and rewarding.

The job market in the USA has been challenging over the past couple of years, with increased competition due to numerous layoffs. A recruiter mentioned that it’s second only to the post-dot-com bubble in terms of unemployment rates. Despite this, there are still many job openings—it’s just that the candidate-to-job ratio is low, making the competition fierce. Additionally, the landscape for finding jobs has changed significantly since the post-COVID era. With that in mind, let’s dive into the strategy I’ve been using over the last few months to navigate this environment.

Since starting with The Ambitious Exec program and diving into James Whittaker’s book, The Reverse Job Search Method, I’ve gained new strategies for career growth that align with the key elements of an effective job search strategy in today’s market:

1. Professional Branding: This step involved updating my resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect my professional achievements and Unique Value Proposition (UVP). Being active on LinkedIn has become essential for reverse recruiting, where potential employers and recruiters can discover my profile. Crafting a strong professional brand helps set the foundation for a successful job search.
2. Close Circle Outreach: I reached out to my immediate network, including ex-colleagues, family, and friends, to reconnect and explore potential job leads. Leveraging close connections is a valuable way to discover opportunities that might not be visible through traditional job boards, creating a support network throughout this process.
3. Applying Online: While online applications alone might not yield the highest success rates, applying directly to relevant roles helps me stay informed about current openings. It’s crucial to apply with the right mindset—focusing on alignment with my Ideal Role Type (IRT) rather than relying solely on online submissions to find the perfect fit.
4. Networking: A significant focus has been on finding and engaging with hiring managers, recruiters, and decision-makers. Building genuine relationships in my industry has enhanced my reach and visibility. Networking isn’t just about asking for jobs but about creating value and staying top-of-mind within my field.
5. Iterating and Refining: Throughout this journey, I’ve been refining my UVP, professional networking approach, and branding strategy. Job searching is an iterative process, and each step reveals new insights, helping me to pivot and improve continuously. This adaptability is crucial in today’s dynamic job market.

As a result of these efforts, I’ve been receiving a good number of relevant interview opportunities, especially over the last few weeks as it’s prime interview season before the year ends. Approximately half of the recruiter calls I’m receiving are a result of my online applications. About a quarter come from my networking strategy—specifically, reaching out to hiring managers and recruiters directly on LinkedIn. The remaining quarter is through reverse recruiting, where recruiters are actively searching for profiles like mine and reaching out via LinkedIn InMail. I expect the pace to slow down from mid-November, but I’m optimistic about the current momentum carrying me into the new year.

Each of these steps has contributed to reshaping my path, refining my skills, and embracing new opportunities. It’s all part of a bigger journey toward growth, resilience, and fulfillment in the next chapter of my career.

Here’s to the exciting road ahead!