I saw some career advice recently about how to run your LinkedIn job search in one hour per day.
It went something like:
— Leave 10–15 thoughtful comments on posts from big creators and leaders in your industry.
— Spend another five minutes engaging in the conversations under those posts.
— Send 3–5 short messages to people active on LinkedIn.
— No pitching. Just a genuine reason to connect.
— Message 1–2 old colleagues you haven't talked to in a while.
— Create content.
Okay.
WHY.
This is one of my biggest problems with a lot of modern career advice.
It teaches people to perform fluff instead of stuff.
You did your 15 comments.
You sent your five connection requests.
You messaged Steve from your old company and asked how he's doing.
Congratulations.
What exactly did you make happen? The answer is — usually absolutely nada.
This is something I'm obsessive about at HireUA.
People, if you let them, LOVE to live in what I call WaffleLand.
Maybe.
Let me check.
I'll get back to you.
What does your schedule look like?
When are you free?
No.
Our recruiters are trained not to ask a candidate:
"When would be a good time for an interview?"
You say:
"I have Tuesday at 10am or Wednesday at 1pm. What works better?"
Tiny difference.
But look at what happens.
They choose Tuesday. They choose Wednesday. Or neither works, and they tell you when they ARE available. Either way, the process moves forward. You forced a decision.
And, my little Seekers, I think you need to think the same way.
Take this generic slop trash:
"Hey Sarah, came across your profile and thought it would be great to connect. Hope you're doing well!"
Again:
Why?
What the hell is Sarah supposed to do with that?
She's probably busy.
If she's a recruiter or hiring manager, she's definitely busy.
And now you've given her another vague message that requires HER to figure out why you're talking to her.
Compare that with:
"Hey Sarah — I saw you're hiring a Customer Success Manager. I've spent the last four years doing X, including Y result. I applied this morning. Here's my CV again. I'd like to pursue this opportunity, let me know when we can talk."
Now there's a reason for the message.
There is something she can actually respond to.
And importantly, I don't think every message needs to be:
"GIVE ME AN INTERVIEW."
That's not the point either.
The point is:
What are you trying to make happen?
Maybe you're trying to get your application looked at. Maybe you're trying to get a referral. Maybe you're trying to find the actual decision-maker. Maybe you're trying to clarify an objection. Maybe you're following up on an interview. Maybe you're trying to get a yes or no.
Fine.
But have a purpose.
Don't "network" because someone on LinkedIn told you networking is important.
Don't comment because comments create "visibility."
Don't create content because apparently every accountant and operations manager in America now needs a personal brand.
Get to the damn point.
A job search already takes enough time without spending an hour every day doing things that make you FEEL productive while leaving you in exactly the same place.
This is a big part of how I think about Unfair Careers.
Every part of the search should be moving you somewhere.
Application → response.
Response → interview.
Interview → next round.
Next round → offer.
And when something isn't moving?
Figure out why.
Don't sit in WaffleLand doing more activity for the sake of activity.
If your job search feels extremely busy but somehow isn't going anywhere, hit the link below: