Key Contacts to Target During Job Search

Want to know the number one question I'm asked by job seekers? "What am I doing wrong?" They've applied to 70, 150, or 300+ roles and have yet to hear back. In this competitive job market, job seekers' biggest struggle is standing out from the crowd. Traditional "spray and pray" methods just don't cut it anymore. Here's how to break through: 1/ Leverage LinkedIn Like a Pro → Optimize your profile with keywords relevant to your desired role. → Engage with industry content daily to stay top of mind. → Post original content to showcase your expertise and insights. 2/ Create a Well-Crafted Targeted Resume → Tailor your resume for each job application. → Use action verbs and quantify achievements to stand out. → Ensure it's "review proof" by including keywords from the job description. 3/ Reach Out Directly to Recruiters/HR/Hiring Managers → Identify key contacts for the roles you’re interested in. → Send a concise message expressing your interest in the role. → Include 1-2 short bullets about how you could make an immediate impact. 4/ Ask for Introductions → Connect with industry peers and ask for referrals. → Leverage your network to get introductions to companies. → Highlight mutual connections when reaching out to hiring managers. 5/ Get Yourself Out of the Stack of “Easy Apply” Candidates → Apply through the company’s website to show extra effort. → Follow up with a personalized email or LinkedIn message after applying. → Attend industry events and career fairs to make in-person connections. Today's job market is about doing what others aren't willing to do. Find a way to separate from the stack of applicants. Don’t wait for opportunities to find you—create them through strategic online presence and direct outreach. What strategies have you found most effective in standing out during your job search?

Here's how I kept a healthy network of recruiters and hiring managers I used to struggle to keep in touch with recruiters throughout job searches. Especially after rejections. But I had a recruiter that used to reach out to me every time it was my birthday or a holiday. She was awesome. She still is. We're friends over a decade later.  I kept her contact information in a text file. That's when it hit me: what if I kept track of everyone that contacted me throughout my job search? What if I reached out to them the way that recruiter reached out to me? I made a spreadsheet with recruiters from agencies and recruiters at companies. I added hiring managers too. I had a call list I can use any time I needed work. Because of that I could always talk to a human before submitting a single application—it led to interviews too. Plus, I could get insights to prepare for each interview—like commonly asked questions. Lesson: If you're starting or continuing your job search, keep a record of all the recruiters and hiring managers you talk to. Application: Here are some details you can keep track of: name, company, title, email, phone, LinkedIn, position applied to, and so on. A tool like Careerflow lets you create a database of contacts and attach 'em to job reqs you save. Their chrome extension makes life easy. -- #techjobs #jobseekers

If you're tirelessly sending out job applications and wondering why you're not getting interview calls, it's time to rethink your strategy. Here's a reality check: I applied for a role that was posted just yesterday, and the hiring manager revealed they had already received over 500 applications. Sounds daunting, right? But here's a twist: I didn't wait to be discovered in that massive pile. Instead, I took a proactive step that made all the difference. The game-changer? Connecting directly with the hiring manager and the most senior person in talent acquisition. Here's how you can do it too: Research and Connect: Use platforms like LinkedIn to find the hiring manager and senior talent acquisition personnel for the roles you're interested in. Don't just send a connection request; personalize it: Share briefly why you're reaching out and express genuine interest in the company and the role. Follow Up with Value: Once connected, send a follow-up message that makes it easy for them to see your potential fit. Example: "I have 15+ years of corporate social media experience for global brands and am ready to immediately help drive meaningful growth." Make Their Job Easy: In your communications, be clear, concise, and compelling. Help them see why you're worth a closer look. If this proactive approach helps even one job seeker break through the digital black hole of applications and land an interview, then it's a win. Remember, job hunting is not just about waiting to be found; it's about making yourself impossible to overlook. #OpenToWork #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice #HiringNow

99% of job seekers NEVER even open this filter. But one of my clients used it to land a conversation with the hiring manager and ended up skipping the entire recruiting loop. Here’s how it works: She was targeting Chief Marketing Officer roles. Instead of searching job boards, she typed: Chief Marketing Officer AND hiring Then (here’s the key) she hit “All Filters” and used the “Mentioning Company” field. This trims your results down to only posts where someone actually typed the company name in the post. Not just reshared job links. Actual human posts like: "Our team at Company X is hiring a CMO, message me if you’re interested!” This gave her a short list of companies and people to reach out to. She messaged the hiring manager directly, tailored a short note, and landed a call that same week. Lesson: The real job market is hidden in plain sight. Most of your job seeking competitors will never go this deep! :) Hope it helps you find Recruiters & Hiring Managers to land your next job! #HiddenJobMarket #JobSearch #Executives #CSG #LinkedInHack

Why Do Personal Connections with Recruiters Matter? One of the most common questions I get from job seekers is: "What can I do to improve my job search?" Today, I want to share a key strategy that many overlook—building the right relationships with the right recruiters. Most job seekers understand the Law of Reciprocity—when you build a strong relationship with a recruiter, they’re more likely to go the extra mile for you. But there’s another critical factor that often goes unnoticed: Recruiter Specialization. Even within the same firm, recruiters can be highly specialized. For example, a recruitment agency focused on Technology and Engineering might have: 🔹 A recruiter dedicated to Mechanical & Electrical Engineering roles for candidates with 0-10 years of experience. 🔹 Another recruiter focused exclusively on CTO/CIO roles in the Medical Device industry. This means that simply connecting with "a recruiter" at a firm isn’t enough—you need to connect with the right recruiter who specializes in your industry, role, and level of experience. My Tip for Job Seekers: Next time you connect with a recruiter, ask: 👉 "Do you have a Practice Lead or colleague who specializes in my industry, title, or location?" Even if they don’t, they might be able to refer you to the right person—dramatically increasing your chances of landing the perfect role. I hope this insight helps! Would love to hear your thoughts—drop your questions or experiences in the comments. #Recruitment #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #Networking