Karli Williamson 🎨’s Post

I have more companies interested in me after I stopped tailoring my resume for every job application. Roles I was qualified for were rotting in my tabs, right in front of me, and I didn't even apply to them. I was spending far too much time editing my resume for every role. So, I decided to change my approach and apply to jobs with a batch of resumes I keep on-hand for specific roles. I went from over an hour to apply to a single job to now taking a maximum of 30 minutes. I'm getting more interest now than ever for exciting roles. This little bit of validation is what keeps me going and keeps me positive. I still edit my resume here and there for positions I'm referred to, but I don't invest that time for every job. After 4 months, I'm still unemployed, but at least I'm gaining traction. That first interaction with a recruiter or hiring manager is far more valuable than spending time agonizing over rewrites. I hope everyone is surviving and thriving right now. If you're looking for jobs or were just hired, what job hunting strategy has worked for you?

𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙: 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙠𝙖𝙮. Recently, I applied for a role with a company and went through an exhaustive process: • 2 video interviews • Reference checks • Background checks • Endless forms to fill out • Dozens of back-and-forth emails Throughout the entire recruitment journey, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The recruiter made me feel like I was the perfect fit so much so that we even discussed location preferences, something typically reserved for promising candidates. But then, just a few days ago, I received an impersonal email saying I wouldn't be moving forward. 𝗡𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻. 𝗡𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸. Not even after I followed up with a kind, professional email asking where I fell short. This is more than disappointing; it’s discouraging. Candidates invest time, effort, and emotional energy into these processes. We deserve the respect of transparency. 𝘛𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬: 𝘐’𝘮 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙩. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. Have you faced something similar? Share your thoughts in the comments.

More *no’s* have trickled in over the last few weeks after relentless searching, applying, and interviewing. The job search process has its highs and lows, but lately, it’s felt more like a marathon where I’m running on empty. Over the past few months, I’ve put in the time, the effort, and definitely a bit of heart into finding the right next step in my career. Countless applications, tailored cover letters, video interviews, and follow-up emails—I’ve done it all. Yet, that “Congratulations, you’re hired!” moment remains elusive. It’s not easy to stay motivated in the face of uncertainty, but I know I’m not alone in this. So, to anyone else scrolling LinkedIn with the same goal, just know you’re seen, your persistence is powerful, and your next opportunity is closer than it feels. If anyone out there has advice, tips, or even just words of encouragement, I’d love to hear from you! And if there’s anyone in my network looking for a communications and branding professional who’s passionate about making meaningful connections, I’m all ears. Let’s connect and support each other.

Job-search perspectives that nobody talks about - 1. Instead of just highlighting your direct work experience, emphasize the transferable skills you've developed that are applicable to the role you're seeking. 2. Don't just ask your connections for job leads. See how you can provide value to them first. 3. Hiring managers want to see that you're genuinely excited about the work, not just collecting a paycheck. 4. Resist the temptation to submit generic, one-size-fits-all resumes and cover letters. Take the time to tailor it to each specific role and company. 5. Don't just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you're interested in, even if they don't have any open positions listed. The job search process can be daunting, but don't be afraid to take the unconventional route - that's often where the most rewarding opportunities lie. If you need any 1:1 assistance from me, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Good luck with your job search!

Do you do a good job? Well, keep it to yourself, you braggart! That was the gist of one comment last time I posted a recommendation here. The commenter was someone I'd noticed on a few posts, writing contrarian views and thorny barbs. Disagree with me all you like, but at least let me unpick and understand your perspective; maybe I'll change my view! But this guy was only interested in his view and my demise. Putting the me into social media. Well. I'm still here, you rapscallian. Another recommendation to share. Here is what Cian thought about working with me recently... -------------------- "During my recent job search, I had the pleasure of working with Simon, and I was thoroughly impressed by his professionalism, responsiveness, organisation, and transparency. From our first interaction, Simon was always courteous and respectful. He took the time to understand my goals and preferences and made me feel valued and confident that I was in good hands. Simon was also very responsive throughout the entire recruitment process. Whether I had a question, needed clarification, or sought feedback, he always replied quickly. His timely communication ensured that I was never left wondering about the status of my application, and it greatly reduced the stress of job searching. He was honest and upfront about all aspects of the job opportunity, including the challenges and expectations associated with the role. This openness allowed me to make a well-informed decision about my career. I would highly recommend any organisation seeking a recruiter or any developer seeking a new job to get in touch with Simon and I have personally recommended him to people I know."

Most of you know my story by now: after accepting a job offer, the company rescinded it a week later, leaving me unemployed after I had already resigned from my previous role. Now, I find myself navigating this incredibly brutal job market, and while it’s been just over a month, it feels like a lifetime for me. I know I’m not alone in this, and I know people will say it hasn’t been that long, but with no unemployment benefits to lean on, each day is tough. Every day, I see roles where I know I’d add value and be a great fit, but despite researching companies, reaching out, and trying to connect with real people—it's crickets. This process has upended my life, and the anxiety, stress, and disappointment are very real. It’s taking a toll on my mental health, and I know I’m not the only one feeling this way. 😐 To make things worse, I actually had someone tell me to "not be myself" because my personality is “too quirky” for this job market. WHAT? I am ME—these are my glasses, my clothes, and my personality. None of these things dictate the work I do, the professionalism, knowledge, and experience I bring. So, thanks for the unsolicited advice, but let’s stop telling people not to be themselves. I’m looking for a role within People Operations, HR Business Partner, People Partner, Leadership, Individual Contributor, or Chief of Staff. If you know of any opportunities or can help me make meaningful connections, please reach out. Your support means everything. ❣

It’s hard to see so many talented, hardworking individuals navigating the job market right now, struggling to find the right opportunity. These are quality candidates with valuable skills, experience, and passion—many of whom have made a real impact in their previous roles. To all those currently searching, know that your efforts are seen and appreciated. It’s not an easy journey, but stay resilient. Your next opportunity is out there, and you bring so much to the table. To my network: If you’re hiring or know of open roles, please share them. Even a small recommendation or lead could make a huge difference in someone’s job search. Let’s continue supporting one another as much as we can. We’re all in this together.

The Last Four-ish Months: A Brief Retrospective The last four months have been challenging emotionally. This was luckily my first time experiencing a layoff, but after the initial exhale I felt in the first week, new feelings began creeping in. Doubts about my own capabilities that had always been smoldering under the surface were reignited with the lit matches of auto-rejection emails, bombed recruiter calls, and just getting straight up ghosted like I was dating in my early 20s again. All of my worst fears that I had worked to convince myself were irrational seemed like they were being confirmed with each morning’s new “Sorry, we’re going in another direction’ messages. However, it always seems that when the self-doubt and truthfully, self-pity, begin to peak, I get a message from one of you. Job postings, an invite to eat, play games or hangout, or just a quick check-in. The timing is always *chef’s kiss*. And in those moments, I am reminded how lucky I am to be part of this network of generous, intelligent, and positive human beings. As an introvert with a social media aversion, I always experience overwhelming gratitude when you take the time to show me these kindnesses. I’m a believer that with time, luck, and preparation, things have a way of working out for the best. The path may not be easy, but, in my experience, most things worth having don’t come easily and take some effort. I am still actively looking for a new role, but I mainly wanted to put into words how appreciative I am for this network. Thank you for being yourselves, and allowing me to know you!

I hope this message finds you all doing well! For those who may have missed my posts, I wanted to share an update on my job search journey. Over the past month, I've had the pleasure of connecting with many talented professionals and exploring various opportunities. I'm super grateful for the interest and genuine support I've received from my network (thank you to those who've reached out for coffee or a zoom call). In my search, I've come very close to securing a few positions where I was (more than once) the runner-up. While I didn’t quite have the specific years of experience required, it was encouraging to know I was a strong contender. This feedback has only strengthened my resolve to find the right role where I can make a meaningful impact. One aspect I’ve therefore been reflecting on is versatility. With two undergraduate degrees and a master’s, and diverse experiences across multiple sectors (public and private), I bring a broad and adaptable skill set to the table. While this versatility is a significant asset, it can also present a challenge in finding the right fit when job searching, as I don't always neatly align with very specific role requirements. I've often been told I'm too overqualified for entry-level positions, but my varied background makes it challenging to acquire a somewhat senior role unless I were to be specialized for that role. For those who have been in similar positions during their career, what strategies did you employ? I’m excited about the possibility of finding a role that leverages my broad background and also allows for professional growth. If you know of any opportunities or have any suggestions, I’d love to hear from you as I am still available. I'm also open to connecting over coffee to discuss potential collaborations or share insights! 😊

Today (6 September) I submitted my 500th job application since I was laid off in May. While the journey has been filled with its share of "no's" and feedback like "overqualified," each application has taught me something valuable about resilience and persistence. Here's what I've learned: - Rejection isn't Reflection: It's not a reflection of my worth or abilities, but sometimes of the fit or timing. - Proactivity Over Pity: I choose to see this as being incredibly active in my pursuit of the right opportunity, not as a setback. - Growth Mindset: Every interview, every application, sharpens my skills and prepares me for the role that's meant for me. I'm still on the lookout for opportunities where I can bring my expertise and also continue to grow. If you know of any roles where a determined, adaptable, and eager professional would fit, I'd love to connect! Here's to finding the right door that opens with the 501st key or beyond!