8 Pieces of Advice My Clients Needed This Week (And You Might, Too)

Every week, I work with job seekers who are smart, capable, and still feel discouraged.

The hiring landscape has shifted dramatically, and for many people, it’s the toughest job market they’ve ever navigated.

If that’s you, I want you to know this: the market is tough and the competition is high. You’re operating in a new environment, and you deserve support, clarity, and a little encouragement along the way.

Here are the eight pieces of guidance I shared with clients this week that might help you, too 💛

1. It’s Not You—It’s the Market

   The job market is in the middle of a massive reset. Layoffs continue across industries, and on average it’s taking candidates 6-9 months to land a new role.
   
   If your search is moving slowly, don’t internalize that as a reflection of your worth or ability. You’re not alone, and you’re not the problem. The market is simply more competitive than usual requiring for job seekers to adapt with more effective strategies in order to be seen.

2. Your resume Is About You… and Also Not About You

   Your resume should highlight your value, your impact, and the problems you can solve, not tell your life story. Think less about what you want to say and more about what a hiring manager needs to hear.
   
   What are they struggling with? What outcomes matter most to them? Companies hire to solve specific problems. Show that you’ve solved those problems before, and your resume will work much harder for you.

3. Expand Your “Top of Funnel”

   If online applications are your only strategy, you’re missing a huge part of the opportunity landscape. Set aside a few hours each week for higher-impact activities like:

   • Networking conversations

   • Asking for referrals

   • Reaching out to hiring managers

   Small steps here dramatically increase your visibility and your chances of moving forward.

4. Count the Yeses, Not the Nos

   Rejections and silence hit hard, especially when you’re putting so much energy into the search. But many parts of the process are outside your control.
   
   Shift your focus to the wins you can measure: interviews secured, stages advanced, positive feedback received. Those yeses, no matter how small, are evidence of progress and momentum.

5. Rewrite Your Layoff Narrative

   The stories we tell ourselves shape how confidently we show up. If your internal narrative about being laid off is wrapped in shame or frustration, that energy will quietly follow you into conversations.
   
   Try grounding your story in the facts: layoffs are business decisions, not personal judgments. Reclaim the narrative, and you reclaim your power.
   
   Learn frameworks to answer tough questions like addressing a layoff here.

6. Go Beyond LinkedIn

   LinkedIn is a fantastic tool—but it’s not the only tool. Because it’s increasingly “pay-to-play,” not every role available online is surfaced or promoted equally. Broaden your search across industry-specific job boards, professional associations, niche sites, and direct company career pages. Thousands of roles never make it onto your LinkedIn feed.
   
   Check out this list of 9 LinkedIn Alternatives to get started.

7. Interviews Are Your Moment to Sell

   Most candidates can explain what they’ve done; far fewer can articulate the value of what they’ve done.
   When you shift from recounting tasks to demonstrating impact, you help hiring teams clearly see how you can solve their most important problems. That’s when interviews start to convert to offers.

8. Take Breaks, Often

   Job searching is emotionally and mentally taxing. You need rest to stay resilient. Build intentional breaks into your week, and protect at least one completely work-free, job-search-free day. No LinkedIn, no email, no tweaking bullet points. Your mind and motivation will thank you.
   
   Dive into more ways to Care of Your Mental Health During a Tough Search.

A tough job market doesn’t diminish your talent, it simply requires a different strategy, a steadier mindset, and a little extra grace. Keep showing up and keep taking care of yourself along the way. And if you’re looking for help, feel free to reach out and work with a professional.