Lately, I’ve been hearing more stories about layoffs—people suddenly back on the job hunt after years of stability. Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time, pivoting careers, or just figuring out what’s next, I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned from conversations. These are the most common gaps I see when talking to folks one-on-one. If you’re looking for more in-depth support, feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect.
Let’s get into it.
1. Your Resume Isn’t a Job Description
One of the most common mistakes I see is people turning their resume into a list of job duties. Here’s the thing—recruiters already know what a customer service rep or marketing analyst typically does. What they don’t know is you. What you brought to the table. What problems you solved. What results you delivered.
Inc. has a great article titled “Google Recruiters Say Using the X-Y-Z Formula on Your Resume Will Improve Your Odds of Getting Hired at Google” which provides examples of how to write bullet points.
It demonstrates how Google recommends the resume formula: “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].” It’s simple, but powerful. You can reference their article here and I also included one of their bullet point examples below.
Instead of saying:
“Grew revenue for small and medium business clients.”
Say:
“Grew revenue for 15 small and medium business clients by 10% QoQ by mapping new software features as solutions to their business goals.”
When creating bullet points, ask yourself:
- What were you assigned, and why?
- What happened as a result?
- What changed because you did it?
That’s what makes you stand out.
2. Networking ≠ Asking for a Job
I get it—networking can be hard and feel icky or transactional, especially if you’re not used to it. But when done right, it’s really just a conversation. If you’re trying to switch industries or pivot roles and don’t know where to start, here’s a tip: study other people’s paths.
Search LinkedIn for folks in the role you want. What skills do they highlight? What was their trajectory? What kind of work did they do before landing their current role? Use that as data.
Once you know where you’re aiming, connect with people. If you went to the same school, were in the same club, or made a similar transition—they’re way more likely to reply if your message is personalized and shows genuine interest. Not “Can you refer me?” but more like “Hey, I saw you made a pivot from tax to consulting —I’d love to hear more about your experience if you’re open to chatting.”
And PLEASE—track your convos.
Create a Google Sheet:
- Who did you talk to?
- What questions did you ask?
- What did they say that stood out?
You don’t need to sound like a robot. Just be curious. Be kind. Be real. That’s memorable.
3. Prepare Your Greatest Hits (Interview Tips)
Before you go into any interview, think of 3–5 moments in your career (or even projects from school or life) that you’re super proud of. These should be stories that show you in your best light—times you problem-solved, led something, adapted, or learned fast.
A good story is flexible. You can tweak the way you tell it depending on the question, and it keeps you from freezing when someone hits you with a “Tell me about a time…” moment.
Also—if you’ve had a call or networking convo with someone at the company, bring it up. Mention what they said that stuck with you, and weave it into your answer. It shows initiative and that you actually care about the company.
Pro tip: mirror their language.
If they say “We value intellectual curiosity” or use the term “escalate” a lot, reflect those back in your answers. You’re not being fake—you’re showing that you listen and that you understand how they talk about success internally.
Final Thoughts
The workforce is wild right now. And honestly, it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Just remember that most people are figuring it out as they go too. What sets you apart isn’t having all the answers—it’s being curious, intentional, and a little brave.
And hey—if you want to go deeper or talk about your own unique path, you know where to find me.
Until then, you got this.
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