Looking for a job? Your instincts are betraying you.
Hi there career enthusiasts,
If I could tell every person starting a job search one thing, it would be this: stop. Don't follow your instinct to start applying. Give yourself time to think about what you want next.
It's tempting, but don't click Easy Apply yet
When you decide it's time for something new, or a layoff decides for you, the instinct is to log on to LinkedIn and hit Easy Apply on everything that mirrors work you've already done. I get it. It feels productive. You know you're qualified.
But your goal shouldn't be to just land somewhere else and do the same 9-to-5, butt-in-seat routine. Looking for a new job is your opportunity to find work that keeps you engaged, that you actually enjoy, and that doesn't give you the Sunday blues every single week. This may sound unrealistic, but I've lived the Sunday blues, and I'll tell you: finding a role that keeps you engaged and uses your key skills is worth it.
So let's start here. What skills have you built in your career that you truly enjoy using day to day?
Is it solving problems?
Digging through data and spreadsheets?
Selling products?
Those are the things to take a deep dive into. When you read a job description, check whether your skills are highlighted in the role. And not just a little bit. They need to be a significant part of it.
What the job description missed
Once you've identified your favorite skills, ask yourself: what would I bring to this role that the job description doesn't mention?
Say it's a sales role and you love networking. Maybe what that organization is missing is community. Are you part of a networking group in your area of expertise that could bring in clients in a way nobody else can? That's an unusual pitch, and it's built on something you love doing: connecting with people.
Or say you live in spreadsheets. The job description says "analyze data." Fine. But how have you analyzed data in the past? Did it save your company money? Did it uncover gaps in a process? Those are the details other applicants won't think to call out, and they're what make you stand out.
So after you've named the skills you want to use going forward, remember how you've used them before, and document it.
Bills + Savings + Fun = Your salary floor
Compensation is typically the part nobody likes talking about. What's the lowest salary you'd accept in your next role?
If you were making $120,000 at your last job and still living paycheck to paycheck, is that how you want to keep living? The answer is NO!
A new job search doesn't mean doing exactly what you did before at around the same pay. It's a chance to explain your skills in a way that makes an organization see they need your higher level of expertise. And that means your salary expectations should rise as well.
Where I come in
When we work together, I give you the honest picture of what a job search looks like right now:
What your salary expectations should realistically be
How to elevate the way you describe your skills
How to communicate that to employers
A realistic timeline for landing your new job
When to tell your current employer you're moving on
I'm not here to be a people-pleaser. I'm here to help you land the right thing, with honesty. Your friends, peer group, and family can certainly help, but getting an outside view from someone who has worked on the HR side? That's the expertise I offer.
The Reset Framework, in three steps
Recovery: Get clear on the skills you enjoy, your salary expectations, and what you need to land a job you don't dread every Monday.
Reflection: Turn those skills into a resume that makes you stand out from other candidates, with an honest, critical eye from someone with HR expertise.
Redesign: Walk into interviews with no surprises. You're the same person in the room that you are on paper. You know the roles you're applying to, you know the company's culture, and you have a network that validates your skill set. From there, you move into your new role.
Recovery is where it all starts, and it's the step I wish every new job seeker would slow down for.
If you're starting a job search now, leave me a comment and tell me: what's the one skill you'd love to use every single day in your next role? I read every one.
And if you want an honest, critical eye on your search, book a free discovery call here.
FAQ
What should I do first when I start a job search? Stop and get clear on the skills you enjoy using day to day, then only apply to roles where those skills are a significant part of the job. This is the Recovery step of The Reset Framework.
Should I use LinkedIn Easy Apply? Absolutely, but only after you're clear on what you want. Read each job description first and make sure it includes the skills you're good at and enjoy. Applying to everything wastes your energy on roles you don't want.
How do I stand out from other applicants? Document how you've used your skills in the past, like money you saved or process gaps you found, and call out what you'd bring that the job description doesn't mention. This is exactly what we work on together.
How do I figure out my salary expectations? Look at all your expenses, what you'd like to save, and some cushion for fun. You'll want to celebrate that new job! That's the salary you'd accept based on what you actually need, not just what you made before. Then describe your skills in a way that supports a higher number.
How long does a job search take? It varies by role and industry, which is why setting a realistic timeline upfront matters. It keeps you from applying desperately when you haven't heard back in a few days.
What is The Reset Framework? A three-step job search process: Recovery (get clear on your skills, salary expectations, and target roles), Reflection (turn your experience into a resume that stands out), and Redesign (show up to interviews prepared, consistent, and backed by your network).
