I talk to about 50 job seekers each week, and you know what most people have a challenge with? It’s not just one thing, to be honest; it’s the whole strategy. You can probably relate if you struggle with getting traction in your job search. Too many times, job seekers are using yesterday’s approaches, hoping they’ll work in today’s job market.
One such person had applied to 300 positions in two weeks’ time. He received three or four requests for interviews out of that, some of which weren’t even aligned with his experience. He’s playing a numbers game and thinking this is the way to win.
Juxtapose that with two other job seekers who received offers within two weeks of getting laid off. Both leveraged their networks before and during their search. He never had to apply, as by reaching out to his connections, he was tuned in to an opportunity; she applied and then connected with someone she knew at the company.
Your results in your job search are a reflection of your actions. Let’s get you some traction.
Activity Doesn’t Equal Traction
Back in the day, competition for jobs was minimal. You could apply to several jobs each day and get a number of callbacks, leading to a handful of interviews. And while that approach can still work in today’s highly competitive environment, the number of applications you need to send have scaled to a place that’s untenable.
Being busy does not mean that you are getting anywhere in your job search.
That’s because the goal on the other side of your application is to filter out applicants. If your resume doesn’t quickly tell the story of how and why you’re a great candidate or it doesn’t parse correctly into the ATS, you won’t get another look. The same holds true on LinkedIn.
When you apply cold, you’re entering a crowded pipeline where your resume is one of many. Even if you’re qualified, there’s no additional context, no relationship, and no reason for someone to pause and take a closer look. Without context or connection, it’s difficult to gain traction—no matter how many times you click “apply.”
What Traction in Your Job Search Looks Like
In today’s world, job seekers can’t rely on luck; they have to create momentum. Your intentional actions lead to better opportunities. And while I’ve only shared two stories here, I see this strategic approach play out with shorter lead-times across all my clients.
The constant trigger for success in a job search now is about connections. Networking generates way more outcomes than merely applying and waiting. You can be proactive, such as the job seeker who told his network his job was being eliminated and asked for ideas. Or you can be reactive and apply first and then look for people who might be able to help, as my other client did. Either way works, and both had the same outcome.
By creating familiarity and working through relationships, you show decision makers see that you’re a credible candidate. They’re more likely to have a conversation. And that’s where you get traction in your job search: conversations.
Where Job Searches Typically Stall
Most job searches don’t fail because of lack of effort. They stall because the effort isn’t aligned with how hiring actually works. At a high level, hiring is not just about qualifications; it’s about confidence.
When considering candidates for a role, recruiters and employers are asking:
- Do we understand what this person brings?
- Do we trust they can do the job?
- Do we feel comfortable moving them forward?
When your entire strategy is built around applications, you’re relying heavily on a document to answer those questions. Sure, your resume may have the right keywords to be found in an ATS, but does your experience back it up? Sometimes; sometimes not.
Without additional touchpoints—conversations, referrals, follow-up—you’re leaving too much to chance. That’s where traction breaks down.
How to Create Traction in Your Job Search
If the goal is to move forward more efficiently, the question becomes: What needs to change? Here, it’s not about doing more work; it’s about getting more strategic.
To be successful, you need to get aligned. In simple terms, this means:
- Tailoring your resume and LinkedIn to the positions you’re targeting.
- Only applying to the positions for which you’re qualified.
- Leveraging connections prior to and/or after applying.
- Following up after applying and staying engaged with your network.
Let’s break all these down and see how they play out in your job search:
Tailor Your Materials
It’s not humanly possible to customize 300 resumes in two weeks. A job seeker may choose to integrate AI into the process, but that lacks nuance and a human touch. It can help with choosing keywords, perhaps, but where do you show that you have that experience? You’ll need to be part of the process at some point, meaning you’d be applying dawn to dusk to meet those numbers.
Apply Where You’re Qualified
Most of the job seekers I work with struggle to find three to five appropriate roles a day—and some don’t find that in a week—so it’s a wonder how anyone could apply to hundreds of aligned positions each week. The sad truth is that some job seekers don’t limit their applications to roles that fit their backgrounds. Instead, they apply to anything. They feel good about the busywork, but when it doesn’t create any traction, they’re just wasting their time.
Leverage Connections
This step cannot be overstated if you want to get traction in your job search. The people-to-people connections are where you’ll differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. Huntr.co just released a blog about what recruiters really do when you apply, and they’re not spending a lot of time on your resume, nor are they looking at all of them. When you make a personal connection, either prior to or after you submit your application, your chances of being seen increase dramatically.
Follow Up
There’s no magic formula in the job search, which is why it’s imperative to stay top of mind. Sending a note to the hiring team to reinforce your interest in a role, emailing a thank you after a meeting or interview, and commenting and posting on LinkedIn will help people remember you. It might take more than one outreach to gain traction in your job search, so keep at it. In sales, you have to reach out up to eight times, so don’t get too frustrated when people don’t remember you immediately. They may just have to hear your name a few more times.
The Bigger Picture about Your Job Search
Your job search will not deliver results based on your level of effort, but it will find success based on the type of effort you exert. Relying on volume alone simply isn’t as effective as being thoughtful and strategic. A comprehensive, diverse approach is best, and it should include:
- Applying to positions that align with your career goals.
- Reaching out to your network before and after applying.
- Following up and staying engaged to stay top of mind.
If your job search feels busy but not productive, it may not be a question of doing more; it may be a question of doing things differently. When you get traction in your job search, you build momentum, and that gets you to the finish line faster.
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Need help navigating the job-search process? There’s a reason I named my company Your Career Advocate: I’m here to guide and support you from initial application through salary negotiation. Learn more about my services.