The Plan That Returned Nothing

Breaking up the normal newsletter to drop a preview each week as we get closer to my 2-day virtual event, Conversations > Applications!

We’ll be shedding time-suck activities and helping you position yourself as a top-tier candidate 👇🏼

Below you’ll find…

1. Foundation for a Successful Job Search

2. Questions to Gut-Check Your Strategy

3. #PrescribedByDx - Raw Thoughts

My job search left me drained, demotivated, and empty-handed. Here’s how I finally turned it around.

I once approached a job search thinking my strategy was bulletproof.

“I’ll create a resume that highlights every skill I’ve ever mastered. Then, I’ll tailor each cover letter to perfection.”

I smiled confidently as my plan unfolded in my mind.

“Next, I’ll apply to 5 relevant roles I find each day. I’ll keep tweaking my applications until I get the job.”

“Surely,” I assured myself... “This will make employers eager to hire me.”

But months later, my inbox was still empty.

And it was worse than you think.

I was relying on this job search to jumpstart my career.

Yet, it barely generated any interest, and the process drained me.

And because I had invested so much of my identity in this approach, it left me lost when it didn’t work out.

My confidence took a hit.

My motivation dwindled, and getting back on track took months.

Man, I’ve made some mistakes.

This is what happens when we focus more on perfecting our applications than on building meaningful connections.

Did you catch that?

1. We over-focus on polishing

2. We underdeliver on strategy

We get so caught up in making our resume "impressive" without validating what truly matters to employers.

When unchecked advice meets a well-intentioned job seeker...applications still go unnoticed.

Candidates who land offers focus on relationships first. Applications second.

Candidates who struggle focus on applications first. Relationships second.

This is why I’m launching my new event:

“Conversations > Applications: Become The Person Everyone Wants To Hire”

You’ll walk away from Conversations > Applications with a clear strategy that draws advocates and positions you as a top-tier candidate.

Happening September 17-18.

Reply with "conversations" if you want to join the waitlist.

Questions I'd ask to understand if I’m focusing on the right activities

• When was the last time I spoke to someone in the role I wanted?

• Have I had a conversation where I left feeling energized?

• What was the last event or in-person networking session I joined?

• Which activities do I simply not enjoy and want to shed?

• What activities gave me the most recent positive feedback?

These questions help you gut-check your strategy. Rinse and repeat these!

#PrescribedByDx

Get outside.

I’m a fan of the long hours, headphones in, and no distraction work.

I’m also a fan of understanding your limits.

Knowing when I’m about to hit the edge or feel the burnout coming is important, I also believe it’s a lot easier to push the limits when you’re working on something that you enjoy. Which is rare for most.

So if you’ve found that, test the limits. And if you haven’t found that, still test the limits.

And when the limits have been defined, find time to go outside 🤝

TL;DR

• Be the one to call yourself on your own sh*t.

• Movement never fails you, get outside.

• Spend time with people.

Before you go…

Could you “reply” and share what you’re currently working on?

I’d love to hear from you.

Dominic