Skip to content

Beyond the Profile: Mastering LinkedIn’s 360Brew Algorithm for Job Seekers

You hit “Post” on LinkedIn, sharing a hard-won insight. You check back an hour later and find little activity. A few supportive “congrats” on your recent transition, perhaps a like from a loyal peer, but then, crickets. After all that work creating the perfect post, you leave discouraged. The reach has stalled before it ever left your immediate circle. For a leader in the middle of a career pivot, this reach plateau is more than frustrating; it feels like you are invisible. Most assume their… Read More »Beyond the Profile: Mastering LinkedIn’s 360Brew Algorithm for Job Seekers

What Every Job Seeker Needs to Know About LinkedIn’s New 2026 AI Algorithm

Last week, a frustrated executive client told me, “I’m posting three times a week on LinkedIn, but I’m getting half the views I used to. What am I doing wrong?” My answer was “You might be playing by last year’s LinkedIn algorithm.” If you’ve noticed your LinkedIn engagement dropping dramatically, you’re not imagining it. According to the Algorithm Insights 2025 report by LinkedIn expert Richard van der Blom: The 2026 LinkedIn algorithm has fundamentally changed, and as a job seeker and professional, you need to… Read More »What Every Job Seeker Needs to Know About LinkedIn’s New 2026 AI Algorithm

Will ChatGPT Get You Hired? The Risks of AI-Generated Resumes in 2026

AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the way we write resumes and cover letters, and for the most part, that’s a good thing. They help us organize our thoughts, improve grammar, and overcome writer’s block. But there’s a line between using AI and leaning on it too much, and many job seekers are crossing it. “Every sentence is grammatically correct, evenly spaced, and emotionally vacant. Real résumés have scuff marks.” – Steve Levy, Business Insider Recruiters and hiring managers are noticing distinct patterns in AI-generated… Read More »Will ChatGPT Get You Hired? The Risks of AI-Generated Resumes in 2026

What To Do When You’re “Overqualified”, and Still Want the Job

A client recently asked whether she should adjust her application materials when applying for a job she was clearly overqualified for. She’s a seasoned IT Manager applying for an IT Support Technician position, confident she could handle all the job duties, yet aware that her experience was above what the role required. My answer was a firm “YES.” Here’s why, and how to do it strategically so you present as a strong fit instead of a hiring risk. Why Being “Overqualified” Can Be a Hiring… Read More »What To Do When You’re “Overqualified”, and Still Want the Job

Find the Right People Faster: How to Use Boolean Searches on LinkedIn

Last week, a client spent three hours on LinkedIn and sent me a list of 50 ‘potential connections.’ When we looked together, only three were actually relevant to her target role. She was exhausted, discouraged, and wondering if networking was even worth it. Here’s the good news: There is a far more precise way to find your target individuals who can move your job search forward. Use Boolean searches together with LinkedIn’s filters. Just as I help clients move from unconscious career drift to intentional… Read More »Find the Right People Faster: How to Use Boolean Searches on LinkedIn

Navigating the ATS Gatekeeper: Your Guide to ATS-Friendly Formatting

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) platforms have become nearly universal among large enterprises and increasingly common among small businesses. The ATS is the gatekeeper: get your formatting wrong, and your resume might never be seen. With nearly every Fortune 500 company and more than 45% of small businesses relying on ATS software, mastering the rules of crossing this digital bridge has never been more critical. According to JobScan’s 2025 Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Usage Report: Key Shifts and Strategies for Job Seekers, 97.8% of Fortune 500… Read More »Navigating the ATS Gatekeeper: Your Guide to ATS-Friendly Formatting

Humanize Your Professional Brand: How Your Personal Story Becomes Your Competitive Edge

In today’s competitive job market, where AI tools can help anyone create a polished résumé, 75% of qualified candidates never make it past the initial screening stage. Why? Because job seekers have been conditioned to present themselves as collections of skills and accomplishments rather than as whole human beings. “In a world of infinite choices, the most valuable commodity is no longer attention, but trust. And trust doesn’t come from credentials—it comes from connection.” Harvard Business Review, “The New Currency of Leadership,” March 2023 While… Read More »Humanize Your Professional Brand: How Your Personal Story Becomes Your Competitive Edge

The Strategic Job Seeker: Why Professional Associations Should Be Your First Stop

The Job Search Paradox When unemployment strikes, your instinct is likely to dive headfirst into job boards, frantically applying to every opening you can find. It seems logical: need job → apply for jobs. But here’s the surprising truth: statistically, applying to job postings is one of the least effective ways to secure employment. Research consistently shows that 70-80% of positions are filled through networking and personal connections rather than applications. This is where professional associations become your most powerful tool. Why Professional Associations Matter… Read More »The Strategic Job Seeker: Why Professional Associations Should Be Your First Stop

For blog post on giving LinkedIn recommendations

Transform Your Profile: The Role of LinkedIn Recommendations

LinkedIn recommendations serve as powerful testimonials that enhance your personal brand by providing authentic, third-party validation of your professional capabilities. Unlike self-promotion, these endorsements from managers, team members and clients create a compelling narrative about your work impact and character through the eyes of those who have directly experienced your expertise. When thoughtfully cultivated, recommendations weave together to form a credible, multi-dimensional portrait of your professional identity, helping you stand out in a competitive landscape while building trust with potential employers, clients, and collaborators who… Read More »Transform Your Profile: The Role of LinkedIn Recommendations

How to Overcome Age Bias in Your Job Search

I was struck by an unexpected response from a recent LinkedIn post I made about common barriers in the interview process. Dozens of people commented, expressing frustration and feeling that age, not qualifications, was blocking their advancement in their job search. This overwhelming feedback underscored a critical issue: ageism is very real and continues to challenge experienced professionals in their job search. If you’re over 45 and worried about competing with younger professionals, you’re not alone. Many seasoned candidates are frustrated by misconceptions that they… Read More »How to Overcome Age Bias in Your Job Search

How to Overcome The Feeling of Bragging to Showcase Your Achievements

It’s natural to feel a bit uncomfortable when talking about your achievements, as you might worry about coming across as bragging or arrogant. Your upbringing or culture might discourage you from talking about your own merits. However, effectively communicating your accomplishments is crucial during the job search process. It is important that you share how you went beyond the foundational duties of your job to have a positive impact on the company, team, or clients you served. Here are some tips to help you overcome… Read More »How to Overcome The Feeling of Bragging to Showcase Your Achievements

Let Your Brand Shine Bright

As a job seeker, building and maintaining your personal brand is crucial to stand out and stay in front of potential employers. Your personal brand should communicate what you bring to the table and what differentiates you from the competition. However, it is not enough to build your personal brand and expect your audience to find you. You need to find different avenues to let your brand “shine bright” so that you attract your target audience. Here are some strategies to keep your brand visible… Read More »Let Your Brand Shine Bright

How to Apply for a Job When You Don’t Meet Minimum Requirements

When was the last time you read a job posting and didn’t meet the minimum requirements of the position, but you said to yourself, ” I know I can do this job!”? Probably pretty recently. This happens regularly, but most job seekers will either not apply or apply without mentioning which requirement(s) they lack and what they offer in its place. This makes it difficult for employers to connect the dots on how you could be a good fit for the job. There are several… Read More »How to Apply for a Job When You Don’t Meet Minimum Requirements

How to Pull Recruiters and Employers to Your LinkedIn Profile

Are you tired of spending countless hours on LinkedIn searching for the right job and applying for open positions with no response? Does it feel like you are spinning your wheels? Well, if you are reading this post, I suspect the answer to both questions is “yes”. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find a way to just sit back and let recruiters find you? Well, guess what? You can! It is called “pull job searching”. When you are implementing pull job search strategies… Read More »How to Pull Recruiters and Employers to Your LinkedIn Profile

Overcoming Salary Anxiety

For most people, requesting a salary raise activates anxiety immediately. When preparing for the conversation, we are often flooded with feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. Many of us tend to question our worth or get distracted by catastrophizing: “what if I don’t get the job offer”, “I’m sure I’ll be blacklisted for asking”; “Who am I to ask for more money”; “I should just be grateful. Feeling the need to ask for more money is a tight rope that most of us have traveled on… Read More »Overcoming Salary Anxiety

Top Ten Activities to Kick-Start Your Job Search After a Layoff

Do you find yourself suddenly a casualty of a layoff or hiring freeze? If yes, you are not alone. What started as a downward spiral in March 2020, the U.S. has been facing a new wave of cutbacks and layoffs. We have been flooded with news of layoffs across the country and sweetheart businesses like Netflix, Microsoft, PayPal, and Uber which we believed were recession-proof are reeling from rising labor costs and slow business growth. The good news is that despite a slight decline in… Read More »Top Ten Activities to Kick-Start Your Job Search After a Layoff

Top Five Ways Volunteering Can Benefit Your Job Search

Volunteering may be the last thing you want or feel like doing while you are looking for a job. You might feel like volunteering would take away from the time you should be placed in your job search activities. There you go shoulding on yourself again. Make it a choice and you will likely find that it is the best addition to your job search strategy. Volunteering should complement not replace your job search activities. Commit to an activity 2-4 hours a week with one… Read More »Top Five Ways Volunteering Can Benefit Your Job Search

5 Simple Steps to Develop a Relevant Resume

Your resume is the holy grail of relevance. It is often the first step in showing that you are the right fit for a job. I found it fascinating to learn that the Latin root of relevant is relevare which means “to lessen, lighten” or “to help, assist, comfort, console”. Your resume then becomes an important tool in presenting to the employer or recruiter that you are their best shot at relieving their discomfort. It may feel daunting to have to achieve all that in no… Read More »5 Simple Steps to Develop a Relevant Resume

Designing Your Future of Work

“We have ability to exploit opposing ideas and opposing constraints to create new solutions. When your pathway seems most narrow, you can invent a new way forward, even when making individual decisions.” Jim Brown, Executive Chair and Former CEO, TEDGlobal talk, “Designers — Think Big!” For more information on how to Design Think Your Career, check out my blog post or connect with me on LinkedIn or email me.

Designing a Cover Letter that Differentiates You

The value of the cover letter has been altogether over-analyzed to the point of sheer confusion. When the cover letter is required in the application process, you may be left wondering what you should include in it to set yourself apart. If it is not required, you might question whether to include one anyway. The madness of it all! It the employer does not explicitly say not to include a cover letter, I suggest including it. Of course, there is no guarantee they will actually… Read More »Designing a Cover Letter that Differentiates You

Transitioning Back to a Career You Loved

Marketing Yourself to a Position you Held Many Years Ago One thing that COVID has done is compel people to re-examine their lives and their priorities. Perhaps this personal introspection is a hidden benefit of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within that space, many have decided to explore new career paths to better align with their values and goals. As Albert Einstein said, “In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity”. As my clients explore a new, and hopefully last, career chapter in their lives, I am… Read More »Transitioning Back to a Career You Loved