Job Search Mindset Tips

Our client was unemployed and struggling with job search overwhelm and a lack of clarity. We teamed up and they landed a senior IC role with a clear path to leadership in ~100 days. Here are 6 strategies they used to make it happen: Context: When we first met this client, they were unemployed and feeling stuck. The job search was completely overwhelming, they didn’t have a clear path forward, and they were worried about flexiblity. After we partnered up, those worries disappeared. Here’s what we did: 1. Defined Their Dream Role We helped them clarify: – Their ideal team structure – Values like remote flexibility and work-life balance – A meaningful mission or product This clarity helped them spot red flags and recognize a great fit when it showed up. 2. Created A Prioritized Company List Instead of applying blindly, they: – Identified 15 companies – Focused on 10–12 that were actively hiring – Prioritized ones that matched their top values This allowed them to focus time where it mattered most. 3. Made Strategic Recruiter Connections Despite initial hesitations, they: – Stayed open when a recruiter reached out – Did their own diligence on the company – Used interviews as info-gathering tools The openness led directly to the offer. 4. Prepped With Deep Industry Insight Before applying, they: – Spoke with two professionals who worked with the hiring manager – Asked targeted questions about leadership style and culture – Used insights to tailor their application They mentioned these conversations in their cover letter and follow-ups to stand out. 5. Advocated For Their Needs When they got the offer, they realized the PTO package didn’t align. Rather than walk away or settle, they: – Consulted our salary negotiation toolkit – Planned a negotiation strategy – Aimed to protect their non-negotiables It’s not just about the offer. It’s about one worth accepting. 6. Kept Their Values Front and Center The company was: – Remote-friendly (including their snowbird executives!) – Sustainability-focused – Willing to hire to support a better work-life balance They knew it was a fit when leadership said they wanted someone who could “take apart our financial statements and put them back together with a new perspective.” That system led to an awesome outcome that got them back into a role with a clear track to leadership! —— ➕ Follow Austin Belcak for more 🔵 Ready to land your dream job? Click here to learn more about how we help people land amazing jobs in ~15.5 weeks with a $44k raise: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

To all the job seekers diligently searching for a new job right now, I see you. I want to share my family's story, which includes a relevant strategy for today's job search that could help. My husband lost his job during the pandemic. At the time, layoffs and job searches were at a peak, similar to today's market. With a concentrated effort, my husband landed a new role in just 2 months. He did it without applying for hundreds of jobs or relying solely on job boards. In fact, he applied for just 3 jobs. He also convinced an organization in another province to hire him remotely (when the role was not originally a remote position). Here's how he did it: ✔️ Nailed down a clear and defined job target. He resisted the temptation to cast a wide net and focused on what he was good at and what he wanted to do. ✔️ Built a tailored and results-rich resume for his job target (yes, of course, I helped, but I also taught him how to own the customization process). ✔️ Created a job search plan with a daily schedule – and executed it. This included time for job search activities, plus personal and family time. The schedule kept him focused and moving forward, but not burning out. ✔️ Conducted lots of research and searched out decision-makers, mainly here on LinkedIn (we also ensured his profile was fully optimized). ✔️ Identified a well-suited opportunity that was not in our city, so he dug into the organization, found a person in his network who worked there, and reached out to that person. ✔️ Developed an internal champion for himself inside the target company. This person vouched for him, gave him inside intel, and helped him shine during the hiring process. ✔️ Ensured that his resume was given directly to the hiring manager (care of the internal contact) in addition to applying for the role online. ✔️ Prepared diligently for multiple interviews, including a well-thought-out pitch on how he could manage the role remotely (remember, this was at the start of the pandemic and not as popular as it is today). ✔️ Secured the offer! Job seekers today can benefit from a similar strategy, remembering to lean on your network. Relationships matter a lot during a job search! Tell everyone you know what you need and what you are good at. Seek out decision-makers. Foster your network. People hire people. #jobsearch #layoffs #laidoff

💻 The Biggest Myth in AI Careers: "Learn to Code or Be Left Behind" For years, I believed the same mantra: learn to code or get left behind. And honestly? It scared me into late nights with Python tutorials I never loved. But the deeper I get into this AI wave, the clearer it becomes: → Coding isn’t the bottleneck anymore. Models are writing code faster than juniors. → What’s scarce isn’t syntax knowledge—it’s judgment. Knowing which problems matter. Knowing when not to automate. → I’ve seen projects fail not because the code was broken—but because no one asked the right business question to begin with. That’s the overlooked truth: the half-life of technical skills is collapsing, but the half-life of wisdom is expanding. ✅ So what does “hybrid” really mean? Not some vague buzzword. In real terms, it looks like this: A clinician who understands patient care and can use AI diagnostics responsibly. A financial analyst who reads markets and codes models to spot patterns faster. A supply chain manager who knows logistics pain points and automates with AI tools. A marketer who knows human behavior and leverages AI to test and scale campaigns. These are the people who don’t just use AI—they shape it with context. That’s why in my own career, I’ve shifted focus: From frameworks → to translation. From chasing every new tool → to industry depth. From static skills → to a 12-month reinvention cycle. In my opinion, telling everyone to “just code” is like preparing for a marathon on a treadmill—you’ll get stronger, but you won’t actually go anywhere. The real advantage? Becoming the hybrid: the one who sees the patterns, frames the questions, and teaches AI what matters. #AIcareers #HybridTalent #FutureOfWork #AIstrategy #AIEducation

A job seeker came to me after 3.5 months of job searching with the following data: 180 applications submitted 12 screenings 1 referral 5 interviews 1 final round 0 offers After reviewing the data, I found that their job search was actually performing well in some areas but had key bottlenecks: - Strong application-to-screening rate Their resume and portfolio were doing well, getting them past the initial stage. - Good screening-to-interview rate Their performance in behavioral and situational questions was above average. - Weak interview-to-final round conversion  This indicated a struggle with: Technical rounds – Not demonstrating enough depth in core skills. Alignment with job descriptions – Answers weren’t tailored to the company’s needs. Surface-level responses – Not showcasing impact or real-world application of skills. The plan to improve: If I were coaching them, I’d focus on three key strategies: 𝟭) 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 Develop an interview strategy to explain technical and soft skills in-depth. Relate answers directly to the job description and company goals for higher impact. Use structured responses like the STAR method, but emphasize impact and problem-solving. 𝟮) 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Daily practice of technical questions tailored to their target roles. Mock interviews to simulate real-world scenarios. Feedback loops to refine and improve responses. 𝟯) 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 Increase outreach to professionals in their industry. Leverage networking and informational interviews to gain more referrals. Prioritize companies where referrals hold more weight. Key Points: ✔️ Data-driven job search analysis helps pinpoint areas that need improvement. ✔️ Fixing interview bottlenecks is often the key to securing more final rounds and offers. ✔️ Referrals still matter even in markets where they aren’t as strong as in the US or Canada. ✔️ Daily practice and structured preparation make a big difference in interview performance. By focusing on these areas, They could significantly increase their final round conversions and land a job faster. Have questions about your job search or how to break into data roles? Drop them in the comments, or send me a message. Let's get you to your next role! ------------------------ ➕Follow Jaret André  for more daily data job search tips.

Tech skills are not enough in Cybersecurity The higher up you go .. the more you need to speak the language of the business Learn how to communicate with non-technical stakeholders i.e. the people who care about business outcomes more than technical details. Key Areas To Focus On: ↳ Learn key concepts like risk management, ROI, and regulatory compliance. This helps connect cybersecurity efforts to business outcomes, making it easier to gain executive buy-in. ↳ Practice writing concise reports and delivering presentations that break down technical topics into actionable insights for non-technical leaders. ↳ Understand budgeting and financial planning: As a cybersecurity professional, you’ll need to justify security spending and understand how to allocate resources efficiently. Learning budgeting skills will help you make the case for necessary investments. ↳ Grasp project management basics: Many cybersecurity initiatives are cross-functional and require strong project management skills to align teams and ensure deadlines are met. ↳ Learn vendor management: You’ll often need to work with third-party vendors for security tools or services. Understanding how to manage these relationships and negotiate contracts is key. Simple fact is .. if you can’t explain complex security issues in simple, actionable terms, you'll hit a massive career roadblock. Focusing on these skills will set you up for long term success Good luck on your career

Too often, cybersecurity is seen as something to fix after a breach happens. But this reactive mindset is no longer sustainable. In a digital economy where every process depends on connectivity, cyber risk becomes business risk. This means we need to stop treating cybersecurity as a purely technical task and start recognizing its strategic nature. A cyber-resilient organization does not just deploy protections—it understands how risk impacts operations, finances, and reputation. It aligns cybersecurity with business priorities and embeds it in governance structures. What I find essential is the integration of security thinking into organizational design. When boards include cybersecurity expertise, when teams collaborate across departments, and when leaders understand the economic drivers of cyber threats, resilience becomes part of how the company functions every day, not just during a crisis. Cyber resilience is not about being perfectly secure. It is about being ready, adaptable, and aligned. That shift must begin at the top. #CyberResilience #Leadership #CyberRisk #BusinessContinuity #CyberGovernance

Every single tech professional thinks: "My coding skills will speak for themselves." But here's the brutal reality I've seen coaching tech careers: Technical skills are your entry ticket. Soft skills are your upgrade path. I've watched brilliant engineers get passed over for promotions. I've seen top coders struggle in team dynamics. I've coached developers who couldn't articulate their project's value. Why? Because technical expertise isn't enough anymore. Modern workplaces demand: - Clear communication of complex technical concepts. - Collaborative problem-solving skills. - Emotional intelligence in high-pressure environments. - Ability to influence and persuade non-technical stakeholders. Your technical skills solve problems. Your soft skills create opportunities. Consider what top tech companies really want: - Engineers who can explain technical solutions. - Team members who build positive workplace cultures. - Professionals who can navigate complex interpersonal landscapes. But here's what drives me crazy: Most tech education ignores interpersonal development. Most engineers undervalue communication training. Most companies still prioritize technical skills over holistic capabilities. Stop treating soft skills as secondary. They're your career's real differentiator. Want to truly accelerate your tech career? Develop both technical and interpersonal capabilities. Because in today's workplace, your human skills are your most powerful algorithm. #TechCareer #Softskills #Employees #Careertips

Two engineers with identical skills. One gets promoted, one stays stuck. Here's why. The difference isn't technical ability. It's rarely about who writes better code. Engineer A stays stuck because they: Focus solely on assigned tickets. Keep knowledge to themselves. Wait for direction on what to build. Communicate through code alone. Solve immediate problems. Engineer B advances because they: Identify system-level improvements. Document and share their insights. Propose solutions to unaddressed needs. Translate technical decisions to business value. Create patterns that prevent future issues. I've watched this play out repeatedly across tech companies. Technical skills get you in the door. But visibility, leadership, and communication get you promoted. The most overlooked truth in engineering careers? Your impact beyond your code matters more than your code itself.

Earlier this week, I shared an AI-powered role play I developed with LinkedIn to help job seekers prepare for one of the trickiest interview questions: “What salary are you looking for?” Today, I’m excited to introduce another scenario that many people find just as intimidating: reaching out for—and leading—an informational interview. I'm a huge proponent of informational interviews, done well. These conversations can open doors, give you 'insider scoop,' and expand your network in powerful ways. But asking someone for their time? Knowing what to say? That’s not always easy. That’s why I created this new LinkedIn Learning AI role play: 🎯 Conduct an Impactful Informational Interview In this interactive exercise, you’ll practice how to: • Craft a concise, compelling outreach message • Guide the conversation with smart, curious questions • Keep the focus on learning—not asking for a job • Follow up in a way that builds real connection and momentum 🆓 Try it out (free!): https://lnkd.in/gGAgJDZX You can use text or voice—and get instant feedback to improve your delivery. 👍 Why I recommend it: If you’ve ever felt nervous about initiating a networking chat or unsure how to lead one with confidence, this tool offers a safe, practical way to build those skills—before it really counts. I’d love to hear what you think after trying it! #LinkedInLearning #AIRolePlay #LinkedInLearningInstructor #informationalinterviews

For years, I thought the key to career success was just working harder than everyone else. Late nights, weekend work, all of it. But there's one thing that moved the needle way more than all that grinding. Sharing: - What I’m working on - Why it’s important - The challenges I’m coming up against Because the secret to being seen as a high performer isn’t just performing well, it’s getting others to expect you to perform well. Harvard’s Robert Rosenthal discovered that when teachers expected certain students to excel, those students actually DID perform better, even when they were chosen completely randomly. High expectations literally create better performance. Here’s why: when people expect great things from you, they give you more challenging work, more encouragement, and more opportunities to succeed. And you rise to meet those expectations. So how do you use this? - Share your goals publicly - Talk about the skills you’re developing - Be open about the challenges you’re working through When people expect great things from you, they’ll give you opportunities to deliver them. Every Tuesday, I break down research to help you build your human skills. Follow for the next one 🧡 #CareerAdvice #HumanSkills