People lazier than you are nailing roles with this referral approach

Most people think applying for a role is about making the case for why they could do it.

The better approach? Show them you’re already doing the work—just not getting paid for it yet.

Let’s get into fixing our approach 👇

Asking for feedback knocks you down a notch

We say we want resume feedback.
But what we actually want is validation:

“Do I come across as the one for this role?”

So we share our resume with smart friends, past managers, even referrals—hoping for the one insight that makes it click.

Instead, we get edits about formatting, stronger verbs, and adding metrics. Helpful? Sometimes. Directional? Rarely.

Because here’s the real problem:

You’re asking the wrong people, in the wrong way.

And worse—you're unintentionally weakening how you're perceived.

Here’s what happens behind the scenes:

You ask someone who’s referring you,
“Mind taking a quick look at my resume?”

What they hear is:
“They’re not quite ready.”

Suddenly, they’re less confident putting their name on the line.
Not because they don’t like you—because doubt crept in.

And when you’re positioning yourself for a referral, that perception shift is everything.

Referrals are made with conviction.
The moment someone senses hesitation from you, they pull back—consciously or not.

So here’s the shift:

Never ask for feedback in the same breath as a referral.
Separate the two completely.

You want your referrer thinking:
“This person is already doing the work.”
“This resume reads like someone I’d hire today.”
Not: “Let me help them figure out how to position themselves.”

And when you do ask for feedback?

Ask someone who’s made this exact hire before.
Frame the question like this:

→ “If this landed on your desk, would you talk to me?”
→ “Where would you hesitate?”
→ “What’s missing that would make this a yes?”

That’s when you stop getting tips—and start getting signal.

The big shift:
Don’t treat your resume like a work in progress.
Treat it like a proof of readiness.

Because if you don’t believe you’re the one,
No one else will.

#PrescribedByDx - My dad retired.

You never think you’ll see the day when your parents stop working. Or, at least I figured it was so far off - my dad ran the post office, and my mom was a nurse all my life.

What did I take away from it? There’s a different level of commitment when you’re not showing up only for yourself.

A couple of pieces from his exit email I loved:

Questions to figure out if I’m approaching the role correctly…

• Would a hiring manager in this role feel relief or risk when reading my experience?

• Does my resume read like someone doing the job already—or someone hoping to get picked?

• If I had 15 seconds to pitch myself for this role, could I explain why I’m the obvious choice without overexplaining?

Before you leave…

Need support believing you’re the one?

This is a pillar in my coaching work:
Helping you build a search around real conversations, not endless applications.

You don’t need a trick.
You need a clearer message and better connections.

If you're ready to approach your search with more intention and less noise, you're in the right place.

Join me. 

Dominic

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