Strategically Applying

The new year is almost here! Folks will be headed back to work and the hiring process will amp up again. (I’m waiting on a contract for a freelance job I was offered December 20 so I’m with you in frustration at holiday-impacted delays).

This is all great, but what if you’re stuck even further back in the job seeking process like a one-on-one client I was working with last month?

She had experienced some major changes in her life and needed to find a job that was significantly different from what she’d done in the past. She had two challenges: knowing what job titles to search for and, when she found job opportunities, which ones to apply for.

We started with the job titles. I created a Google doc for her and gave her the assignment to list all the job titles she felt she could apply for. As she wrote them, she added notes about her feelings about some of the titles.

When we met, I focused on those comments. “I’ve done this in the past, so I know I have the skills to complete it”, she said about one position. I agreed that she absolutely had the skills, but that didn’t mean it was the right fit for this season of her life. This doesn’t negate all of the skills she had gathered in her skillset suitcase during her career. But just because you have an item in your suitcase, doesn’t mean you need to use it during this particular port of call. It’s critical to think about where you are now in life and find the right fit for your next step.

For example, you may need to find a remote job because:

• Your partner is in the military and you’re going to need to move.

• You’ve moved to a rural location and there aren’t in-person jobs that match your skillset.

• You lack reliable transportation.

• You’re a caregiver and need to support another person.

• You have a disability and working in-person isn’t physically possible.

The “No” Chart

This narrowing of my client’s focus led us to the solution to her next challenge: deciding exactly what jobs to apply to. We created a list of questions to quickly help her decide whether to complete an application.

I’ve written before about the importance of Quality over Quantity when it comes to job applications. Spend more time on fewer applications (which are more likely to be successful because of your effort). You do NOT need to apply for everything that seems like it could be even a slightly good fit for you, especially if you’re early in your job search.

I don’t say this to disregard the importance of an income, health insurance etc. During my job searches in the past, I’ve absolutely had to worry about those things. But you don’t want to get yourself in a position you absolutely hate or that can’t work for your current capacity.

Here’s how to start writing your own “No” Chart.

1. List out the MOST important things for your next job. Be realistic. These are your “needs”, not your “wants”. And they’re specific to right now.

2. Ask someone to check your assumptions and give them permission to gently challenge you.

3. Write them out as yes/no questions. For example, “Does this position provide health insurance?” “Does this position require travel?” “Will I be tied to a desk?”

4. For each job listing, walk through your questions. If there are any “no” answers, don’t waste any more of your time on that job and move on.

   If the answer is “maybe”, ask yourself if there is a way that you could get a definite answer. This may involve emailing or calling someone (yes, it’s still OK to make a phone call). If you can’t get an answer, consider how interested you are in the position and based on that, decide whether to apply. Be sure to note your unanswered questions somewhere so that you can bring them up in the job interview. You can even ask them when the company reaches out to schedule a job interview. Choosing to do this sooner rather than later respects both your time and the time of the person who would be interviewing you.

Your time has value, even when you’re unemployed, and you don’t get any bonus points for spending time applying for more jobs than the next person. What you’re looking for is just one “yes” for a position that will serve your current needs. One stop on your career journey.

If you’d like someone to work through this process with you, today is the last day to lock in my current one-on-one coaching rates. Sign up now and schedule your first session at a time that works best for you.

Other upcoming offerings include:

Using LinkedIn to be a Powerhouse Networker January 7 at 11am ET, recording sent out afterwards. Cost: $40

LinkedIn Sprint for Job Seekers January 10-17. Cost: $15 with scholarships for people who are currently unemployed. If you’re employed and don’t want others to know you’re searching, there’s an “in cognito” version. The sprint is free with registration for the workshop.

I’ll see you in 2025!

Recent LinkedIn Job Posts

All posts are from people I follow on LinkedIn and include multiple jobs.

• Ryan Perry (social media jobs)

Hi! I’m Sara Kobilka, owner of Renaissance Woman Consulting.

I am a Renaissance Woman (what’s THAT? Good question! Here’s my answer). My wide-ranging background includes time as a TV meteorologist/reporter, non-profit leader, higher education program coordinator, curriculum designer, and now, business owner. During each leg of this journey, I gained new skills that I was able take with me in my next step. Now, I work remotely with clients to help them confidently tell their story and navigate the transition to the next leg of their career journey.

Take the Next Step

• Follow me on LinkedIn where I actively cross-pollinate impactful ideas across industries and disciplines (and regularly share job opportunities I come across)

• Check out my one-on-one career coaching program or join a cohort of job seekers for small group coaching

• Sign up to be the first to know when I offer my workshops: Using LinkedIn to be a Powerhouse Networker and How TV News Pros Can Land a Remote Job.

• Participate in one of my LinkedIn Sprints

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