Adrienne Tom

Co-Founder | Small Business and Productivity Coach for Career Pros

Career Impressions: Executive Resume Writing

Do you want a resume that gets you noticed for top jobs? ⚜ As a 10X certified career professional, 2X master-level resume writer, and 32X award-winner, I write resumes and LinkedIn profiles that help C-suite executives, VPs, and directors land top jobs at billion-dollar companies, start-ups, and everything in between.

⚜ Your story deserves to be told. Everyone has value to offer employers. But conveying this story in a modern, succinct executive resume isn’t easy. I can do this for you.

⚜ You matter to me. I engage directly with all clients and complete all of the work myself. Your work will never be handed off to another writer.

⚜ I offer more than just ‘a resume’. I'm often told that my process is as valuable as the final documents. People feel more empowered and confident after our work together.

⚜ 𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. I hear amazing success stories from my clients. For 15+ years, I have written hundreds of executive resumes and LinkedIn profiles that generated increased recognition and escalated earning power for my clients:

“Adrienne, I just wanted to reach out and say again how awesome you are. Following your revamp of my LinkedIn and resume, I am getting chased down by recruiters left, right, and center, all of them waving HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE offers for increasingly high-level roles. This despite having just accepted a new role 6 months ago! I have been setting high opening bars for salary discussions and nobody has batted an eye.

I feel valued at my true worth and am being seen as an asset by these experts who specialize in high-level placements. Your work had a huge part of that.”

--- Client 2023

If you want to move forward in your career and get noticed for top jobs = let’s talk. My services:
✔ Executive Resume Writing
✔ Cover Letters
✔ LinkedIn Profiles
✔ Executive Bios
✔ Board of Directors Resumes

Canadian Executive Resume Writer and US Executive Resume Writer for CxO, CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CTO, CRO, SVP, VP, and Director titles.

Executive Resume Writer | Board Director Resume Writer >> Canadian and US Resumes

⚜ Looking to get your LinkedIn profile to bubble to the top of search results? Want to build a robust executive online presence? 

⚜ I develop LinkedIn profile content, from top to bottom, for forward-thinking executives, directors, and managers across North America to help them get found and hired faster.

LinkedIn services include:

✔️ Complete LinkedIn profile audit

✔️ Creation of customized, SEO-rich LinkedIn content to increase your profile's visibility on the #1 site for recruiters and hiring managers (over 95% of hiring personnel use LinkedIn)

✔️ Content creation for the Headline, About, Education, and 3 Work Experiences

✔️ Content suggestions for your Volunteer, Accomplishments, Skills, Awards, and Interests sections. 

✔️ Recommendations for all other sections, photo tips, and more

✔️ LinkedIn user guides and engagement strategies (you must also get active on the site to get found!)

▶️ In 2020, I was named a LinkedIn Top Voice for elevating essential career and job search topics and driving important business conversations on the platform.

LinkedIn Profile Writer >> Executive LinkedIn Content and Strategies to Get You Found!

🥇Starting as Calgary’s FIRST Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), I grew this organization to meet the swelling demands of local Albertans before expanding services nationwide and then internationally to become a leading executive resume writing firm.

🍁 Resumes were created for professionals and executives across Canada in all industries, including - but not limited to - engineering, finance, sales, project management, accounting, operations, IT, business analysis, and oil and gas.

👨‍💼👩‍💼Clients included new graduates, early professionals, mid-career professionals, managers, directors, and executives.  In 2010, with a new focus and branding, I shifted to work exclusively with senior-level clients around the world.

Executive Resume Writer in Canada | Calgary Resume Writer | Canadian Executive Resume Writer  | US Executive Resume Writer

✔ Executive Resume Writing
✔ Professional Resume Writing
✔ Job Search Support
✔ Cover Letter Creation
✔ LinkedIn Profile Creation

Canadian Executive Resume Writer | Calgary Professional Resume Writer

Thrive Global

Created and published content on executive resume writing, job search strategies, and resume trends on this new platform founded by Arianna Huffington.

Contributing Writer on Executive Resumes and Job Search Strategies

Job Search Journey

𝐍𝐨𝐰, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬🎉 – the world’s very first! 

T𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒋𝒐𝒃 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 -- 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒌.

👉 ATS-friendly resume templates to scripts for networking, interviewing, salary negotiations -- it's all there!

💡 The coolest part? Resources have been created by a community of trusted award- and accolade-winning job search experts with past careers in HR, recruiting, journalism, and communications, among others. Many have been hiring managers and job seekers.

❤️ A common goal of helping job seekers to land more quickly.

Resources to help every step of the job search journey. 

Take the guesswork out of your job search to land a meaningful job faster – at Job Search Journey.

After leading the launch of this resource site, I am pleased to have sold it and passed the torch to another amazing team of professionals who will take it to the next level.

Co-Founder |  Job Search Resources: Resume Templates, Networking Scripts, Interview Guides and more!

CareerPreneur Partners

💡After recognizing the need for an 'on-demand’ support system and high-touch help for small business owners and independent career professionals, I helped start CareerPreneur Partners.

🤝 CareerPreneur Partners: Business & Productivity Coaching provided one-on-one, custom coaching to careerpreneurs, helping them navigate small business challenges to be more productive.

📈Defining careerpreneurs as "people who proactively manage their career like an entrepreneur to make things happen" ...these are savvy individuals, often working for themselves as solopreneurs, mompreneurs, freelancers, and independent career pros that could use a support system on a variety of business hot topics.

⭐️ Going from fledgling to flourishing in my independent career practice, I am often called upon to mentor and guide other careerpreneurs through establishing their own successful ventures. It was an honour to partner with business owners during my time in this role to help them flourish. After several successful years, I stepped away from this initiative to focus on my other ventures.

Forbes Coaches Council

▶️  Appointed to this invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches.

▶️ Developed and distributed thought leadership articles and tips for publication on Forbes.com.

▶️  Identified, researched, and produced executive leadership and job search posts for astute business leaders (managers, directors, VPs, and C-suite professionals). Topics included: executive resume writing, LinkedIn development, interview preparation, job search tactics, and career strategies.

Council Member  | Content Contributor on Executive Resumes and Executive Job Search 

LinkedIn

▶️  Recruited to join the exclusive content creator team, (one of only 2 Canadians), developing articles and posts to support the Job Seeker Premium Site on LinkedIn.

▶️  Identified hot topics and generated comprehensive job search articles on the subjects of LinkedIn, interview preparation, resume writing, and job search strategies.

Job Search Content Creator >> Resume Writing and Interview Tips

University of Calgary - Career Services

▶️ Aided post secondary students with a variety of job search techniques, including resume creation, interview preparation, job search advice and networking.

▶️ Reviewed hundreds of student resumes of all disciplines, hosted workshops and provided one-on-one career advising.

▶️ Communicated with recruiters, executives, and employers throughout North America. Shared and analyzed industry trends and compiled educational job search materials for students and employers alike. 

▶️ Spearheaded the organization of five annual Career Fairs. Transformed the events into the top- attended and highest revenue generating events for Career Services. 

▶️ Oversaw application preparation and processing for hundreds of Co-operative and Internship students in a variety of disciplines.

▶️ Managed high-level communications with leading employers, executives, and recruiters of all industries. Provided and gathered job search insights and best practices.

Career Advisor | Career Fair Coordinator | Co-operative Education & Internship Administrator

▶️ Supported several hundred engineering students of nine separate disciplines through the program’s application process; addressed queries from students, employers, campus members, and professors. 

▶️ Reviewed and approved student resumes and assisted in the organization of site visits, information sessions and annual events.

Engineering Internship Program Administrator

Let me tell your career story. For 15+ years, I've moved forward the careers of global C-suite executives, VPs, and directors through my captivating executive resume writing.

⚜ TIME for a CAREER MOVE? LOOKING TO LEVEL UP?

You've located the right resource. My expertise is writing compelling executive resumes for Fortune 500
executives, global business professionals, and forward-thinking senior-level leaders across all industries, helping them land top jobs at billion-dollar companies, start-ups, and everything in between.

⚜ WANT to LAND an EXECUTIVE JOB FASTER?

I do more than write resumes. I unearth the value of every top professional that I partner with and shape their career story, positioning them as the candidate of choice (read more about this in my current role below).

As Canada's first Certified Executive Resume Master (CERM), 32-time award winner, and 10-time certified professional, my executive resumes have differentiated top business leaders from the competition to secure them greater recognition, higher compensation, and faster job placement!

MY EXPERTISE:

☑ 10X certified career professional

☑ 32X award-winning Canadian / US executive resume writer and LinkedIn writer

☑ Published in 7 resume and cover letter books

☑ Hired by LinkedIn / LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search & Careers 

☑ Featured in the Globe and Mail, NBC News, Monster, Calgary Herald, and Forbes

☑ Produced hundreds of resumes for C-Suite (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CTO, etc.), SVP, VP, and Director roles

☑ Appointed to Forbes™ Coaches Council

☑ Named one of the Top 15 Career / Job Search Experts to Follow on LinkedIn

☑ Recently awarded The Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert Certification 

⚜ WHAT OTHERS SAY (don't just take my word for it; read more recommendations in this profile):

"Adrienne provides so much more than merely a resume writing/interview coaching service; she provides you with a complete communication strategy that will help you market your brand to prospective employers." - Sales Executive

"The documents Adrienne produced on my behalf could not have told my professional story more accurately and perfectly." - Finance Leader

⚜ Learn more about my executive resume writing services at: 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.𝐜𝐚 ⚜

Executive Resume Writer: 
🌐 www.CareerImpressions.ca 
📧  adrienne @ careerimpressions. ca

Every year, my most-read blog is the annual Executive Resume Trends report.
If you’re a job seeker wondering how resumes are shifting for 2026, this is the deep dive you need.

I invited leading resume writers, recruiters, and career strategists to share what’s actually happening in the market: what’s working, what’s fading, and what separates memorable resumes from forgettable ones. Their insights were candid and incredibly aligned.

A clear theme emerged.

Technology may support the writing process, but authenticity and clarity still win interviews. Hiring teams are asking for resumes that feel personal, specific, and results-focused.

Here’s a preview of what experts shared:

• Story-first resumes that blend narrative with data continue to outperform
• Skill stacking and hybrid fluency are becoming essential across industries
• Sustainable resume strategy now matters more than ever in longer searches
• One-page limits, ATS obsession, and AI-generated boilerplate are holding people back

If you want your resume to stand out in 2026, this expert-backed discussion will help you get there.

Before you update another bullet or chase another template, take ten minutes to read what industry leaders are advising for the year ahead. It could save you hours of guesswork and help you build a document that truly reflects your value.

The full breakdown is here in Executive Resume Trends for 2026: What Works and What to Retire https://lnkd.in/gv7VbcjX

Thank you again to every expert who contributed their insight. Your perspectives shape this report each year and help job seekers navigate the evolving landscape with confidence.

=====
♻️ Reshare to help more job seekers!

32X Award-Winning Executive Resume Writer → I Help C-Suite Execs, VPs, Directors, and Leaders in Canada and the U.S. Land Opportunities Faster ٭ LinkedIn Branding ٭ Career Storytelling ٭ Board Resumes

Open article: Executive Resume Trends for 2026: What Works and What to Retire - Career Impressions by careerimpressions.ca

Executive Resume Trends for 2026: What Works and What to Retire - Career Impressions

I want to let you in on a little secret—actually, seven. 🤫 
I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of resume advice on the internet. “Do this…” “Don’t do that.” It can get confusing. Here’s the thing...

I’ve been writing resumes for nearly 20 years. Yes, that long. Over the years, a few fundamentals, best practices, and resume trends have held steady, making the difference between a good resume and a GREAT resume.
 
I’m sure you only want a great resume when the time comes to hand it over for a dream job.

You want the resume – and yourself – to be noticed, right?!
 
Here are my seven secrets to resume success.
 
What else would you add to the list?
 
#resume #resumewriting

7 Resume Secrets

Your resume may be all about you, but it isn’t meant for you. It is written for the person deciding whether to move you forward. Before adding any detail, pause and ask yourself 4 quick questions.👇 

1. Does every detail align with the job?

It is easy to list every course, certification, and project you have completed. The real test is whether the detail supports the role you want today.

Example: If you have several finance-focused courses but are pursuing a role outside of finance, those courses may not help the reader understand your fit.


2. Are all examples relevant to the role -- and are they results-rich?

You likely have many proud moments throughout your career. But if an example does not move the needle for the job you are targeting, it is better to remove it or replace it with something more aligned. Relevance keeps the reader focused on what matters most.

Additionally, tasks alone do not elevate a resume. Resume readers want measurable proof of your abilities, so focus on the results that show what you can do.


3. Are you spotlighting related work history or providing a career chronology?

A resume is not meant to be a full archive of your professional past. Older roles do not always need as much detail, or any mention at all. Positions outside your target industry also do not require heavy explanation.

Some exceptions exist, but the goal is the same: be strategic and selective.


3. Are language and keywords appropriate?

Industry language should support, not confuse. If you spent years in healthcare and are now targeting high-tech, soften the healthcare-heavy terms and shift toward keywords that reflect the new space. You want the reader to see you fitting into their world.


At the end of the day, write your resume for the reader. If a detail will not matter to the decision-maker, it risks distracting them and weakening your message.

Strong resumes are focused, relevant, and aligned to a clear target.

A senior leader told me recently, "I’m posting on LinkedIn every week, but nothing’s happening. No recruiters, no engagement, no leads."

If that sounds familiar, it’s usually one of two things:

1. Your content isn’t connecting with your audience.
You’re sharing updates, but they don't reflect your perspective, leadership, or results. People don’t just want to read what you do.  People here on the site want to know what and how you think. What makes you unique??

2. Your network isn’t working for you.
You need to foster connection and engagement. The algorithm rewards genuine conversation, not silent scrolling or passive likes. Don't just share. Comment and  engage! 

If visibility isn’t growing, it’s almost always one or both.
If I were to help you dig deeper, here’s what I’d ask:

* Who are you writing for: peers, recruiters, or potential employers?
* Are you commenting meaningfully on others’ posts each week?
* Do your posts show your industry knowledge?
* When someone visits your profile, do they see clear leadership positioning?
* Are you using your “About” section to tell your story or list your job history?
* Do you follow and engage with companies you’d actually like to work for?
* Have you reached out directly to new contacts after connecting

A few small tweaks in focus and tone (and profile content) can turn engagement into opportunity. I’ve seen executives go from invisible to in-demand by showing up with purpose and a personalized point of view (and ensuring their leadership story is clear on the profile). 

If someone said, “LinkedIn doesn’t work for me,” what would you tell them to do differently next week?

If you are trying to create great content for your resume -- tell a story. Address: Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why. 
Let’s walk through a simple example.

Imagine a past role where you were asked to improve employee engagement.
Most people would list a basic line like:
“Improved employee engagement.”

That statement is accurate, but it does not communicate the scope, context, or results. When you expand the details, your value becomes far clearer.

WHO was involved?
A team of 4 cross-functional internal staff.

WHAT was involved?
You directed the team to create and implement a national employee incentive and training program.

WHEN did this occur?
In 2021, while working as Operational Manager for Big Corp in Seattle, Washington.

WHERE did this happen?
Within a national organization supporting 32,000 employees.

HOW did it end?
The new program was built and launched in 5 months. Engagement increased 65% as a result.

WHY does this matter?
Because the details help a hiring leader quickly understand the scale of the work and the impact delivered. Focus on what your target reader needs to know...not everything must be shared. 

Once you gather these pieces, combine them into a single, high-impact resume statement. An example:

✔️ Increased employee engagement 65% by directing a team of 4 to create and launch a new national training and incentive program, which rolled out to 32,000 staff in just 5 months.

How to Tell a Story in Your Resume

A decade ago, if you’d told a board or executive recruiter you were considering a six-month C-suite contract, they might have raised an eyebrow. Executives were expected to stay the course: steady hands, deep roots, and long tenures.

But the landscape has changed.

Today, fractional and interim leadership is no longer a stopgap. It has become a strategy for both companies and executives.

Organizations can’t afford to sit still while searching for a permanent leader. Many CEO and C-suite searches still stretch multiple months. Investors do not wait that long. Markets do not pause.

Enter the fractional executive, a leader who steps in quickly, stabilizes operations, and delivers measurable results while the board conducts a longer search.

And here is what might surprise you most:
For many executives, this is not a temporary pivot. It is a career by design, one that offers variety, flexibility, and impact across multiple industries.

Fractional leaders thrive on speed and precision. They do not just “fill gaps.” They solve problems.

They bring an outsider’s lens, fresh thinking, and a results-driven approach that many organizations need right now.

Demand is rising, too. It is not hard to see why. In a climate defined by rapid change, experience-on-demand is invaluable.

Fractional work gives executives the chance to:
• Expand influence across multiple sectors
• Demonstrate agility in fast-moving environments
• Maintain momentum between roles
• Keep networks active and skills sharp

But it also brings new challenges: compressed timelines, evolving authority, and highly variable compensation models.

That is why positioning, branding, and clarity are everything.

If you have ever wondered whether fractional or interim leadership could be a strategic move rather than a stopgap, this is the time to explore it.

Read the full feature here:

Open article: Fractional and Interim Executives: Why These Leadership Roles Are the Future of Executive Careers - Career Impressions by careerimpressions.ca

Fractional and Interim Executives: Why These Leadership Roles Are the Future of Executive Careers - Career Impressions

“How public should my job search be?”
A common question I get from executives is whether to quietly explore opportunities, or go public and announce they’re open to new roles.

From my experience, I see two sides: executives who stay too quiet can miss warm leads and recruiter visibility. And those who go public in the wrong way risk awkwardness or mixed perceptions. 

Yet, the reality is that visibility fuels opportunity... if managed with intention.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but there should be strategy involved.

I’d love to hear your take: if you were exploring a new executive role, how open would you be about it publicly on LinkedIn?

1️⃣ Very open — I’d announce it and post about my goals
2️⃣ Somewhat open — I’d quietly signal and share
3️⃣ Private — I’d only tell trusted contacts
4️⃣ Depends — on my company, market, or timing (tell us more in the comments!).

I’ll share next week what tends to work best for executives at the Director-to-C-suite level and why visibility strategy is often a bigger factor than the resume itself.

If you were exploring a new executive role, how open would you be about it on LinkedIn?

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

Are your resume bullets pulling their weight?
Take a closer look. Are your statements:


==> Sharing basic details that anyone could claim?

==> Describing job duties instead of measurable results?

==> Missing quantifiable details that prove impact?

If you said yes to any of these, it’s time to elevate your content. Weak bullets report. Strong bullets reveal value.

Read each line of your resume and ask yourself:

“So what?”

==> Is this detail meaningful to the reader?

==> Does it show results or outcomes?

==> Is it specific enough to stand out?

==> Why is this worth including?

If you can add even a small, relevant detail that clarifies your impact, do it. Those subtle expansions—metrics, scope, or context—can transform a basic statement into one that commands attention.

The goal: value-enhanced bullets that sell your results, not just summarize your responsibilities. And if content isn't strong or related: remove it or improve it.

Check the comments for a free resource to help you refine your resume bullets and make every line count.

#resume

Hannah Morgan

Career Sherpa.net

I help those new to job search develop successful strategies to help empower job seekers and help you secure a new job faster! 

My focus is helping job seekers with:

► Proactive job search strategies
► Social media strategies for better online visibility
► Interviewing best practices
► Building and nurturing a valuable network

I dish out all kinds of advice on job search, social media trends, personal branding, developing and improving your online presence- you name it. You will find everything you need for a successful job search!

Please follow me here to see regular updates to help you job search smarter! 
And if you want to stay up-to-date, subscribe to my weekly newsletter, Summary Sunday, here http://bit.ly/3lLVdq2

Job Search Strategist

U.S. News & World Report

A regular contributor at US News & World Report which appears on  Money > On Careers  section each Wednesday. You'll find savvy job advice from the brains behind top careers blogs, including mine! The tagline reads: "Find a job, keep it and get ahead!"

You can find it here: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers

Contributing Blogger / On Careers

RochesterWorks

Oversaw logistics related to launch and management for a new program to help professional level job seekers. Career Navigator was offered weekly at multiple locations with classes up to 25 participants. Each class was 5 days and covered topics including self-assessment, networking, resume writing, job search strategies and interviewing. Over 2,500 participants graduated from the program in the years it was delivered.

Program Coordinator, Career Navigator

Coordinated over 30 monthly workshops for job seekers.  Facilitated job search workshops, on and off-site, to clients from all levels and backgrounds.  Identified, coordinated, and promoted guest speakers to address the needs of customers.  

•  Implemented a guest speaker series of workshops to address the needs of job seekers.  These workshops are consistently the best attended workshops offered.

•  Analyzed registration and attendance data used to efficiently schedule monthly workshops.

•  Initiated new workshops for small businesses resulting in increased revenues.

•  Redesigned workshops by updating content and reformatting for consistency which led to ease of facilitation and improved quality to customers.

•  Facilitated workshops at company career center which increased awareness of RochesterWorks! services among the employees.

•  Delivered change management workshops to dislocated Wegmans’ employees that helped enable them to transition on to new job opportunities.

•  Created summary reports used to capture feedback from over 120 employees.  This report supplied client and career center with information used to deliver future workshops.

•  Dynamically presented daily workshops to professional participants resulting in an average satisfaction rating of 4.75 on 5 point scale.

Workshop Facilitator

Lee Hecht Harrison

Career Consultant
Administered quality career management services to displaced employees, at all levels, in the form of notification meetings, delivering seminars and workshops, facilitation of networking groups and one on one consulting.  

•  Initiated “technical mentoring” program for clients to assist one another in technical aspects of job search to foster communication and ease burden on staff. 

•  Facilitated Job Search Work teams to increase morale and minimize time in job search through encouraging networking and sharing of information.

•  Conducted group and one on one meetings with hundreds of dislocated workers to advise them of outplacement services which prepared them for the job search and emotional transition.

Career Consultant

The Sutherland Group

Human Resource Generalist	1997-1999
Selected to manage organizational change through employee relations program within telemarketing company with over 2,000 employees.

•  Developed and implemented process and guidelines for new corporate program which increased employee satisfaction by 6%, increased timely performance reviews by 35% and provided exit interview data for 65% of separated employees.

•  Managed recruitment efforts for staffing of new program resulting in hiring over 15 people within an extremely short time frame to meet customer expectations for launch of program.

Additional Roles Included:

Sales Support Supervisor				

Client Services Manager				

Lead Generation Supervisor				

Market Research Supervisor

Human Resources Generalist

Showing job seekers ways to proactively uncover new opportunities and get discovered! Job Search Strategist, Speaker & Trainer 🏆 LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers.

Do you have a plan you are following to find a new job? Without the right to-do list it can take a long time to secure a new job. 

I help job seekers understand how to look for work more effectively and land a job faster. 

What I do is equip people who are serious about managing their careers with the strategies and tools to market themselves during job search (and forever). It's about creating a reputation of excellence and connecting with people you need to know in person or virtually! 

In today’s world, it’s too easy to get overlooked when you just apply for jobs online. I want you to get the attention you deserve. But it isn’t easy. It requires consistent effort and stepping outside of your comfort zone. 

Develop a plan to find your next job faster!

RESOURCES I OFFER:

Do you get my Sunday Career Essentials newsletter? It's curated content by experts in the job search, recruiting and careers fields you need to know! Subscribe here https://career-essentials.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Do you know about my Motivation Monday Job Search Accountability Group? It's a small group of job seekers that meet for 6 weeks to push through the process, find support, collaboration and accountability. Learn more here: https://careersherpa.net/need-help/motivation-monday-job-search-accountability-group/

Interested in learning more about my services? See this page: https://careersherpa.net/products-services/

Career Sherpa.net serves as the umbrella for all the things I love doing: training (virtually and in person), speaking, and writing. Visit my website to get the latest on job search trends and tips to improve your online visibility ⇨ 
https://careersherpa.net

 ► Speaker/Trainer ◄ 
Delivering presentations and workshops is my passion.  I love educating and the personal satisfaction that comes from seeing the "a-ha" moments of participants. 


 ► Author/Blogger ◄ 
I’ve been recognized at one of LinkedIn's Top Voices in Job Search and Career in 2019. I've also been featured in USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, Aol Jobs, LifeHacker, The Muse,  Business Insider and many other media outlets. 

I've written two books: "The Infographic Resume" and co-authored “Social Networking for Business Success: How To Turn Your Ideas Into Income”.

Are you doing everything possible to get a job? 
 
Let’s talk about how to get referred! 

🚀 PROACTIVE APPROACH
Before a job is posted, contact people who work inside companies you are interested in working for. (Create a target list of companies.)

Start reaching out to people you already know who work inside these target companies. (They are more likely to have a conversation with you because they already know you.)

Even if the person you know isn’t in the right department, they still have opinions about what it’s like to work for the company. Once you’ve had a conversation, you can ask if they will introduce you to someone who works in the department you are interested in.

Remember, your objective is to speak with people inside companies to learn what it is like to work there. (You are not asking them to find you a job!)

So what do you do if you don’t know anyone inside the company?

You can reach out via email or through LinkedIn and ask someone who works in the role or department you are interested in if they have time for a 15-minute call with you so you can learn about their experience with the company.

Since the person does not know you, the odds are a bit slimmer that they would take time to speak with you. Look for and mention things you have in common such as:
•	Cities 
•	Organizations 
•	Schools 
•	Companies 
 
⚙️ REACTIVE OPTION
The second way to get referred happens after you’ve found a job opportunity.

Before you apply, find employees you know. Use your in-person network, LinkedIn, or social media. (Former employees are also a good source of information!)

Always tap into your existing network first when you find a job. Ask the people you know the best steps to take to get referred (and who you can speak with to learn more about the role).

It’s easier and faster to reach out to the people you know and ask them to refer you for the job than to try to build new relationships with employees you do not already know. 

I call this the two-step! Try it!

I share tips like this in my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here 
https://lnkd.in/eDy_NTim

Job Search Strategist, Speaker & Trainer | LinkedIn profile checkup | Mock interviewing | Modern job search strategies and organization best practices 🏆 LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search

Ever wonder why you don’t hear back after applying for a job?
 
It might have less to do with your resume and more to do with who you’re communicating with.

Talent acquisition, recruiters, and hiring managers each play very different roles in the hiring process.

Understanding their priorities can help you tailor your approach and improve your results.

👩‍💼 TALENT ACQUISITION / HR
Their job is to follow hiring policies, maintain compliance, and manage the process.
They’re focused on rules, consistency, and fairness, not necessarily on evaluating deep technical skills.

✅ How to work with them:
Use a clear, keyword-optimized resume. Follow directions exactly.
They’re screening for fit, not potential.

🕵️ RECRUITERS
Recruiters (external) get paid when they help fill roles.
They’re matchmakers between talent and companies and they move fast.

✅ How to work with them:
Be responsive, honest, and clear about what you want.
Make it easy for them to champion you.

⚠️ Remember: Not all recruiters are created equal. The best ones build long-term relationships so nurture those connections.

👔 HIRING MANAGERS
These are the decision-makers. They’re juggling business goals, team needs, and hiring priorities all at once.

✅ How to work with them:
Show how you’ll solve problems and make their life easier.
Focus on impact/results, not responsibilities.

🎯 Bottom line:
Each contact in the hiring process has a different mission.
When you understand what motivates them, you can communicate more effectively and increase your chances of getting hired.

💡 Pro Tip: Start building relationships with hiring managers and recruiters before you’re actively looking. It’s easier to connect when there’s no pressure.

I'm sure some will disagree with what I've said, because there are always exceptions. But what would you add?

If it's been a while since your last job search, then you'll want to refresh your strategies. (It's a much tighter labor market and many companies have revised their hiring plans)

Here's your roundup of important job search tips and actions you need for a faster job search. 

🔔 When to follow up after you submit you application - Jan Tegze
🔔 How to revise your resume from exec to individual contributor - David Fano
🔔 What successful job seekers do differently - The Job Hopper
🔔 Changes to Open To Work on LinkedIn - Kevin D. Turner
🔔 You get fewer personalized notes on LinkedIn - John Espirian
🔔 Mastering your career transition - Herminia Ibarra

And more! 

Link to articles in the comments below!

If you want Career Essentials delivered to your inbox every Sunday, all you have to do is subscribe!

For years, I have facilitated accountability groups and seen how truly helpful they are in driving positive, forward momentum and leading to a faster, more successful outcom — a new job!

Sometimes humans need structure and accountability to help get things done. This is why there are weight-loss accountability groups, workout accountability groups, mastermind groups, etc. They work for those who put in the work! Plus, one-on-one coaching can be expensive. 

You can find accountability groups for job seekers at your local One Stop center, your local library, church, or just search online. 

A good group will have structure (not just presentations or “networking”). It should be a meeting where you share your goals and discuss solutions to problems. If you can’t find one, you could always create your own. 

The group doesn’t need to be industry or occupation- specific. (We can learn a lot from others, no matter the industry or occupation.) 

Top 7 reasons to join (or form) an accountability group
1️⃣ Energize and maintain positive momentum in your job search.
2️⃣ Learn from the experiences of others, share advice and expand your network.
3️⃣ Take away new perspectives and fresh ideas.
4️⃣ Become accountable to the group, so you will stop procrastinating.
5️⃣ Get objective feedback and input on what you are doing in your job search.
6️⃣ Reprogram your attitude from negative to positive.
7️⃣ Get the help you need at a price you can afford.

Here’s why they work:

Motivation: You’ll become inspired when you are surrounded by like-minded professionals who are facing similar challenges.

Support: Gain new perspectives and ideas from other goal-oriented professionals in the group who are facing similar challenges, opening your mind to new job search tactics and strategies.

Accountability: Set weekly goals and have your team hold you accountable, which makes it easier to stay on track and do the hard work.

Momentum: You’ll feel productive and start seeing more conversations, jobs and interviews.

It would be great to hear your experience with an accountability group. Please share!

When LinkedIn makes these recommendations, we should probably listen! 

Having a great LinkedIn profile isn't enough if people don't know about you! 

1️⃣ Post at least once a week 

2️⃣ Comment on posts at least once a week

3️⃣ Add an image to your post

*These recommendations come directly from LinkedIn (November 2025)

It's easy to say 'I'll apply to more jobs,' but that's not a strategy. Let’s level up your job search starting next week with clear, specific actions. 

Your big mission is landing the right job, but you get there with lots of little steps.

What actions are you actually going to take next week? Be specific!

This is where SMART goals save the day. Make your goals:
SPECIFIC
MEASURABLE
ACHIEVABLE
RELEVANT
TIME-SENSITIVE

📝 Use this template to set a goal: 

"By [time], I will [specific action/achievement]."

Example: "By Friday of next week, I will email 5 former co-workers I haven't talked to in 6+ months to tell them exactly what kind of job I'm after."

🚫 Don't be vague with goals like:

"I'll apply to more jobs."
"I'll be more active on LinkedIn."
"I'll network more."
"I'll update my resume."

Broad goals just lead to wasting time or giving up. Get specific!

Need some inspiration? Here are a few examples of good SMART goals:

🔍Spend 45 minutes by the end of the day researching XYZ company (on LinkedIn, Google, website, and earnings call) to make a one-page summary.

🤝 By the end of the day, find 2 people on XYZ's LinkedIn page (1st or 2nd connections, or similar job) and get their email and one thing you have in common.

📖 Read that bookmarked article about LinkedIn headlines by the end of the week and draft 3 versions to send to your accountability partner for feedback.

👍 Every day this week, go to your LinkedIn homefeed and comment on 5 relevant posts by people you used to work with.

💪 Challenge time! Set just ONE SMART goal for next week and crush it!

Most of us start a job search thinking, “I won’t be out of work long.”

And that’s completely normal. Expectations come from hope, experience, and how we think things should unfold.

But when expectations don’t match reality, we feel frustrated, disappointed, or even rejected. Here’s what’s really happening:

We form expectations by:
🔹 Anticipating a specific outcome
🔹 Visualizing exactly how things “should” play out
🔹 A fixed idea of what we want or need

And when reality doesn’t align, it stings.

This is your reminder to check your expectations, not to lower your standards, but to protect your energy and stay focused on what you can control.

Common job search expectations that often miss the mark:
➡️ I’ll get feedback after the interview
➡️ Employers will communicate clearly and consistently
➡️ I’ll receive timely follow-up
➡️ I’ll be contacted regardless of the outcome
➡️ I’ll get a call because I’m qualified
➡️ The hiring process should be fast
➡️ Job boards will deliver the right opportunities
➡️ Job searching shouldn’t be this hard
➡️ AI can do most of the work
➡️ Recruiters will give me all the details up front

In a perfect world, these would all be true. But hiring is messy, inconsistent, and often slow. Many parts of the process are outside your control.

So here’s the reframe:
Ask yourself, 

“Is this expectation realistic based on my past experience or is it something I wish would happen?”

When expectations align with reality, the emotional rollercoaster gets easier to manage.

And where you do have control, take it.
🎯 If you haven’t heard back, follow up.
🎯 If you feel ghosted, reach out to someone else at the company.
🎯 If you’re waiting for clarity, ask direct questions.
 
Do everything within your power to get the information you need, even if it’s not the answer you hoped for.

And if you’ve done all you can?

LET IT GO!

Not because it doesn’t matter, but because your energy is better spent on new opportunities, new conversations, and new possibilities.

The truth:
 Job search is hard.
 But you are resilient.
 You are resourceful.
 And you will move forward.

Keep going. Your next opportunity needs the version of you that doesn’t get stuck. 

Just keep moving.

Do you ever turn down an invitation to go somewhere or meet someone?

I often turn down opportunities, because... (I always think of an excuse).

🔹Too busy
🔹Have other things to do

But if I'm being honest, I usually say no because I feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or afraid. 

Here's what I know: In every instance where I've said "Yes" I've always been pleasantly surprised!

So the next time you are presented with an opportunity to do something or meet someone say "YES!"


Get my newsletter and be pleasantly surprised by the helpful job search information that will remove the doubt and uncertainty. 
https://lnkd.in/eDy_NTim

Did you miss yesterday's Career Essentials?

Every Sunday I share relevant articles and resources that give job seekers current, trustworthy information. I curate content from experts (resume writers, recruiters, career experts) so you don't have to sift through the noise and distractions (you have enough to do promoting your brand here, not reading discouraging, click-baity posts!) 

Here's what you find in this week's issue: 

✨ Executive Resumes: What works, what needs to go, and what will give you the edge - Adrienne Tom

✨ 6 things you can do to make your resume Experience section “sticky” - Donna Svei

✨ The reasons you're application is rejected (and AI usually isn't one) - Jan Tegze

✨ A list of things you can do to stand out in this brutal job market - Angela Cheng-Cimini 鄭婷婷

✨ Answering the question behind the interview question - Sarah Baker Andrus


The link to all these articles (and more) is in the comments. 
(I know that's annoying, but I want my post to reach the largest audience possible. You can help by reposting it or saving it 👐 )

I've always recommended that you personalize your invitation to connect on LinkedIn. It seems that's getting harder to do as a "free user" of LinkedIn.

To me, it just makes sense to let the person know why you want to connect. My motto is: Do the right thing for the right reason. 
Building relationships requires establishing some connection. It seems this is not LinkedIn's opinion.

Honestly, some of the notes explaining the reason they wanted to connect were better than others. 

One person's invite to connect said:
"I want access to your network. Let's connect." 😮

Another wrote:
"We both attended OWU and I'd love to learn more about..."

These are two very different types of requests. (One I am personally more likely to accept over the other).

So, when LinkedIn limits the number of personalized invitations to connect to 3 per month, we can expect to see fewer notes. 

⚠️ This is important for infrequent LinkedIn users to know. 
It isn't that the person inviting you to connect is "lazy" or "doesn't care enough to write a note." It's most likely because the person exceeded their allotment. 

Thank you for sharing this John Espirian

Relentlessly helpful® LinkedIn® nerd. Independent LinkedIn trainer & LinkedIn speaker. Creator of Espresso+ community & UpLift Live conference. Host of Informed podcast. Not a douche canoe 🛶

Me: Things can't get worse for free users here.
LinkedIn: Hold my beer.

Posted: 11 Nov 2025 at 11.22pm (GMT)

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The Battle

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