Card 5: Be forceful on your own behalf

Many of us have been raised to think that advocating for yourself is bragging. We've been trained to share the credit, to talk about team successes over individual ones. For jobseekers, that perspective won't fly.

As uncomfortable as it might be, you must be forceful on your own behalf. Here are some ways:

𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 Use active verbs. Ditch "responsible for" and "worked on" in favor of "streamlined," "reimagined," or "spearheaded." Even better, match the terms you choose to keywords in the job description. Highlight your results and the actions you took to get there.

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Join a networking group, but don't just sit in the background. Speak up, introduce yourself, and be specific about how others can help you-- with intros to contacts in specific industries or companies. Follow up by meeting 1 on 1, aiming for 2–3 per week. People are much more likely to help when they feel a connection.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 People can see if you show up depressed or beaten down. Yes, it's been a slog, but interviews are not therapy sessions. You need to project strength and confidence. Prepare for interviews by revving up with a favorite motivational tune, striking a power pose, or just looking in the mirror and saying out loud (or even yelling) "I've got this!"

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 Consider what would make this job a FANTASTIC match for you. Responsibilities and opportunities for growth? The chance to lead a 0–1 project? Or a great work-life balance? Whatever that means to you, formulate questions to get the insights you need. Ask everyone the same questions and triangulate the responses.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝘁 Listen to your inner voice. If something feels "off" or you're asked for something you're uncomfortable with, take note (literally, write it down). I get it—desperate times—but take it from someone who accepted a job with a billion red flags and regretted it on my first day—avoid glossing over your misgivings.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 Whether it's well-intentioned friends or family members, if they haven't lived through this job market, they have zero clue. Nicely but firmly tell them that a compassionate ear, not outdated suggestions, is what you need. And if YOU are the one doubting, forcefully remind yourself how skilled, talented, and WONDERFUL you are.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 Since ZenSearch ONLY shows jobs that match your preferences, EVERY JOB is what you're looking for, making them all great ones to apply to! Be as selective or flexible as you choose, it's your job seeking experience.

Check us out at ZenSearch.jobs and share our platform with anyone looking for something new. Together, we can make job searching a little more zen.

Years ago I was introduced to Oblique Strategies cards. They're a deck of cards created by Brian Eno, each with a simple change in perspective meant to help one break out of a creative rut.

To use them, you pull 3 random cards from the deck and use the statements on the cards to prompt a different way to solve a problem or make a decision.

Throughout the year, I'll share a version of these cards, one per week. By the end of the year, you'll have a full set of well... strategies.