Frustrated With Your Job Search? Here Are 5 Easy Fixes to Yield Results.
If you’re searching for a new role right now and feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Today’s job market presents obstacles that can make for an elongated process for even strong candidates: competition, slower hiring, phantom job postings, and AI screening.
But while the challenges are real, they are not insurmountable. Here are 5 easy tweaks for your job search strategy:
1. Be targeted, not exhaustive. Applying to dozens of roles each week can feel productive, but it often leads to burnout and lower-quality applications.
Develop an intentional pipeline where less is more: Focus on roles where your experience clearly aligns because applying roles that you’re not qualified for can be demoralizing.
Tailor your resume to the role and the company. Eliminate industry jargon and acronyms if you’re pivoting.
2. Be accurate and honest! Make sure your resume is free of typos and is consistent with LinkedIn and other public profiles.
Follow industry norms on length. Shorter is generally better unless you’re an academic because very few people have the time or attention span to review a 5 page resume.
3. Shift from “applying” to “connecting”. Reach out to former colleagues and managers, people working at companies you’re interested in, and recruiters who specialize in your field
4. Follow up at an appropriate cadence: We suggest 3-5 days after initial application, then 10 days later, then 2 weeks, then monthly.
5. Stay Positive! Regardless of your frustration (desperation), do your best to project positivity. Expressing that frustration will never help your cause.
But while the challenges are real, they are not insurmountable. Here are 5 easy tweaks for your job search strategy:
1. Be targeted, not exhaustive. Applying to dozens of roles each week can feel productive, but it often leads to burnout and lower-quality applications.
Develop an intentional pipeline where less is more: Focus on roles where your experience clearly aligns because applying roles that you’re not qualified for can be demoralizing.
Tailor your resume to the role and the company. Eliminate industry jargon and acronyms if you’re pivoting.
2. Be accurate and honest! Make sure your resume is free of typos and is consistent with LinkedIn and other public profiles.
Follow industry norms on length. Shorter is generally better unless you’re an academic because very few people have the time or attention span to review a 5 page resume.
3. Shift from “applying” to “connecting”. Reach out to former colleagues and managers, people working at companies you’re interested in, and recruiters who specialize in your field
4. Follow up at an appropriate cadence: We suggest 3-5 days after initial application, then 10 days later, then 2 weeks, then monthly.
5. Stay Positive! Regardless of your frustration (desperation), do your best to project positivity. Expressing that frustration will never help your cause.
Nicole DelToro has been helping organizations (big and small) hire and retain top talent for over 26 years, while helping individuals realize their personal and professional goals by ensuring they’re working in the environment that’s ideal for their current situation. Contact her at [email protected]
Brooke Fisher brings more than 20 years of financial recruiting expertise to your search. She has worked with both candidates who have just a few years' experience and Chief Financial Officers to match the best candidates to the perfect companies. Brooke's expertise is in mid to large-sized companies in the telecommunications, manufacturing, financial services, and real estate industries. Email her at [email protected]
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
Brooke Fisher brings more than 20 years of financial recruiting expertise to your search. She has worked with both candidates who have just a few years' experience and Chief Financial Officers to match the best candidates to the perfect companies. Brooke's expertise is in mid to large-sized companies in the telecommunications, manufacturing, financial services, and real estate industries. Email her at [email protected]
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
