Job Search Strategies for Professionals After a Recession

BREAKING: The job market is cooling with hiring down 5.8% in March, according to LinkedIn's latest data. Worth noting: 62% of CEOs are now predicting a recession within six months, up from 48% just last month. Smart job seekers aren't panicking; they're strategizing. So, what does this mean for you if you're currently job searching or considering a move: 1️⃣ Target growing industries: Healthcare added 53,600 jobs last month, with social assistance adding 24,200 and retail trade gaining 23,700. Meanwhile, Utilities (+0.4%) and Holding Companies (+5.9%) were the only industries showing month-over-month hiring increases. 2️⃣ Develop future-proof skills: LinkedIn's report highlights several in demand skills plus I've added several employers value in uncertain times: • AI literacy and technology adaptation • Conflict mitigation and communication • Adaptability and agility • Data analysis capabilities • Cost management expertise • Supply chain knowledge (especially as tariffs impact operations) • Automation-related skills (as manufacturers focus on "more automation rollouts") Companies implementing AI are seeing 10% revenue increases—they need talent who can leverage these tools while demonstrating agility, which Aerotek's April report calls "the X factor that will give companies an edge." 3️⃣ Consider geography: The Sunbelt continues to outperform with Miami-Fort Lauderdale showing a 4.8% hiring boost and Phoenix maintaining strong numbers. Meanwhile, St. Louis (+4.2%) and Denver (+1.9%) are bright spots in other regions. If you've been searching for a while: Revisit how you present your skills: Highlight how you can help companies navigate uncertainty and control costs—top priorities as businesses prepare for potential downturn. Expand your industry targets: If you've been focusing on manufacturing (-10.3% YoY) or government (-17.3% YoY), consider how your transferable skills apply to healthcare, retail, or utilities. Consider contract roles: With economic uncertainty, many employers are shifting to flexible hiring strategies—these can be excellent foot-in-the-door opportunities. In every economic shift, there are still thousands of jobs being filled daily. Position yourself where growth is happening and showcase the skills employers need most right now. What strategies are working in your job search? Share them with me below. #LIPostingDayApril #Careers #LinkedInTopVoices

It's easy freak out about the job market right now. But, there is a silver lining in all of this uncertainty. The smart move? Use this time to invest in yourself. I learned this the hard way, wasting too much time trying to make a move during the Great Recession and getting no results. At first, I panicked. Then I realized the job market was completely out of my control and decided to focus on something that wasn't: Expanding my skillset and getting a new certification. ⭐Within 10 months, I was promoted from recruiting to leading PR and external affairs. ⭐Within 4 years, I was recruited to a dream job Bottom line: This isn't the time to just sit back and relax. And panicking won't help. When the job market turns (and it will!) you want to be ready to go. Here's what to do now to set yourself up for success: 1️⃣ Create Your Own Opportunities ↳ Volunteer for high-visibility projects ↳ Solve problems nobody owns yet ↳ Document your wins meticulously 2️⃣ Build Strategic Relationships ↳ Network across departments and externally ↳ Find mentors who challenge your thinking ↳ Be the go-to person others count on for something specific 3️⃣ Learn In-Demand Skills ↳ Master data analysis and visualization ↳ Build AI savvy and experience ↳ Pick up tools to manage complex projects 4️⃣ Develop As A Thought Leader ↳ Share insights from your daily work ↳ Write internal newsletters or reports ↳ Present at team meetings consistently 5️⃣ Volunteer in Your Community ↳ Search for organizations aligned with your values ↳ Find out what help they need most ↳ Take on a leadership role to make connections or build skills 6️⃣ Teach Others ↳ Choose something you genuinely enjoy ↳ Take a deep dive into it so you can teach it to others ↳ Check out community centers, and local colleges for adjunct roles 7️⃣ Start a Side Gig ↳ What can you do that others can't or won't? ↳ Let friends, family and neighbors know what you're doing ↳ Ask people to refer you and share testimonials on social media 💡Career growth isn't just about changing jobs. It's about owning your own professional development. ♻️ Share to help others grow professionally. 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career insights. 📌 Need help with your growth strategy? DM me to chat.

After 15 years placing thousands of candidates, I'll tell you the surprising truth: Most people focus only on the visible parts of their job search: their LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and applications. While these matter, they're not the whole story. The real winning strategy? It's simpler than you think, and it complements your polished materials. Here are the 3 strategies that create real results: 1. Build three distinct networks ▷Recruiters (they have inside access) ▷Peers (they share real experiences) ▷Leaders (they make hiring decisions) Each serves a different purpose. Each opens different doors. 2. Focus on human connections. Instead of mass applying, tell 5 trusted contacts exactly: ▷What you want to do ▷What you're good at ▷Where you want to work They'll open doors you didn't know existed. 3. Create a repeatable process ▷Track your applications ▷Schedule weekly networking ▷Set clear follow-up dates The job search isn't about motivation. It's about methodology. Here's the truth: Finding your next role isn't about having the perfect resume or cover letter. It's about having a strategic process that focuses your energy where it matters most. I've watched it work from behind the recruiter's desk thousands of times. Candidates who use this approach: ▷Get 3x more interviews ▷Land offers in half the time ▷Build lasting career relationships ⭐Follow me for more insider recruiting tips that actually work. What's your biggest job search challenge?

If you're a Director, Principal, or senior-level professional, here's a hard truth about job search in a highly competitive market ↓ Waiting until you NEED a job to start networking, updating your resume, or clarifying your value... is too late. I’ve coached hundreds through pivots, layoffs, and transitions, and I’ve heard this statement too often: “I wish I had been more proactive when I wasn’t looking.” Want to make your next job search simpler? Here are 3 things I now encourage every professional to do, before they need to: 1. Build your “career insurance” network Start reconnecting with old managers, peers, and industry contacts now. Don’t wait until you need a favor. ↳Reconnect with 1–2 former colleagues per week with a simple check-in message ↳Comment on posts from people you'd want to work with again ↳Offer value or share relevant resources without asking for anything ↳Keep a short list of 15–20 people you want to stay top-of-mind with 2. Keep a running “career log” Every major win, metric, or team success should be documented as it happens. ↳Use a simple Google Doc or spreadsheet; one entry per project ↳Capture: problem, your actions, measurable outcomes, and key skills used ↳Include quotes or positive feedback from leadership or clients ↳Update this monthly; schedule a 30-minute slot to make it a habit 3. Refresh your LinkedIn every 3-6 months Even if you're not job searching, your profile should tell a clear, current story. ↳Update your headline to reflect target roles and keywords ↳Rewrite your “About” section to highlight your latest accomplishments and results ↳Make sure your most recent role includes quantifiable wins and data-driven impact ↳Get fresh recommendations every few months ↳Add new skills or certifications - - - No one wants to scramble under pressure. Give your future self a head start. What would you add to my list?

When the first thing you share is “I’m looking for fully remote roles,” I already know - you’re not fully keyed in to today’s job market conditions. Here’s the reality of job searching in the second half of 2025: Supply (talented applicants) is high. Employers are seeing 200–400 applicants per role, from entry to C-suite. This is a buyer (employer) market. 👉🏾 Standing out requires relationships and personal branding, and both require clarity of what you're targeting and how you're the best fit to do the job. Risk aversion is high. Uncertainty (tariffs, regulation, global shifts) makes companies cautious. 👉🏾 They want proven talent, “try before buy” arrangements, and extended interview cycles to feel certain. Time-to-hire is longer. More hoops, more work samples, more rounds. 👉🏾 Driving yourself crazy to be “perfect” won’t speed things up. Even great candidates are getting put on pause. None of these macro factors is your fault, but they need to shape how you play the game. So how do you play this game? 👉🏾 Shift your search narrative from self-focused asks (“here’s what I'm looking for”) to company-focused positioning (“here’s the problems I solve / impact I create”). 👉🏾 Get laser-focused on 1–2 roles and a shortlist of target companies. Breadth dilutes your story; focus builds momentum. 👉🏾 Lead with relationships. People hire people they trust. Build relationships that can refer you to an interview or vouch for you when you're in the process. 👉🏾 Anticipate a longer timeline. Do more than just job search - find ways to stay sharp with passion projects, volunteering, or consulting. Don’t start your next role with dusty skills. The market is harder right now, but not impossible. The candidates who win combine clarity, relationships, and resilience (because yea, it’s a sludge fest in these streets). If you landed a new role recently, reach back and share some wisdom. 🫱🏾🫲🏼 What’s a shift you made that helped you stand out?

The recession isn’t coming. It’s already here. Layoffs. Freezes. Budget cuts. And the scariest part is that.... Qualified people are applying to hundreds of roles and hearing nothing back. But here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear: In a recession, it’s not the best candidate who wins… It’s the best-positioned one. That means: The one with clarity on what they offer The one who knows how to get in front of the right people The one who controls their narrative, not just their resume Yes, this market is tougher. But it’s also clearer. The shortcuts are gone. But so is the fluff. If you're feeling stuck, anxious, or watching job boards obsessively… Here’s what to focus on now (instead of panicking): 1. Pick a lane, and own it If your LinkedIn headline, resume, or elevator pitch says “Data/Project/Product/Marketing Enthusiast”,… you’re getting filtered out. Clarity = confidence. Confidence = conversion. => Action: Pick the ONE role you want and build everything around that. 2. Audit your visibility Right now, thousands of talented people are invisible. Not because they lack value, but because no one knows they exist. => Action: • Update your LinkedIn headline with clear role + value • Post once a week about your skills, process, or lessons • Engage with hiring managers or team members at target companies • You’re not just applying, you’re building trust. 3. Focus on leverage, not volume Most people spend 80% of their energy on job boards. But the best roles often never get posted. => Action: • Build a “warm leads” list (past coworkers, mentors, hiring managers, alumni) • Reach out to 3 people minimum per day • Ask for insights, not favours → Conversations > Applications 4. Start spotting recession-proof signals Want to avoid landing at a company that’ll cut you in 3 months? => Action: • Look for orgs hiring for revenue-generating or cost-saving roles • Research recent funding, earnings calls, or layoffs • Ask questions like: “How is this team positioned to weather market shifts?” 5. Invest in your resilience You may not control the market, but you can control your skill stack, your network, and your strategy. => Action: • Improve skills that align with where your industry is heading • Practice interviews, even if you’re not actively applying • Don’t wait to be “laid off” to start showing up That said, In a recession, the people who thrive are the ones who stay calm, get strategic, and play a different game. Don’t wait for the storm to pass. Learn how to walk through it. If you want a custom roadmap to stand out even when the market’s crowded, dm me Jaret André and we will tailor one for your needs

It’s a tough job market. But it’s not impossible to get hired. I recently landed a PM role in a new industry.  Yes, in this “crazy” market. HOW? I applied to 137 jobs in 2 months, with 6 first rounds, 3 final rounds, and 100% of screening calls moving on to the next round. A connection I’ve worked with has had an impressive number of interviews. 15 screening interviews with only 95 applications.  That’s 1 interview for every 6 applications in 2 months! These were not random applications. Instead, this was a clear, focused effort. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 9 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡: 1. Be clear on what value you provide. 2. Know your target industry/companies/roles and focus on them.  3. Know what problems these companies are trying to solve and what you will do to address them. How to do the above? ✔️ Notice trends in Job Descriptions and find common terms. ✔️ Have metrics and numbers to show HOW you’ve done it. ✔️ Focus on the value you’ve provided in previous roles, not responsibilities. 4. Get your resume and cover letter concise and dialed on the above 3 points. 5. Have an application strategy. Though I applied 100% on LinkedIn, I’ve seen others have good luck with Hiring.Cafe to find recently posted roles in target areas. Check it out! 6. Apply early. Ideally in the first day, definitely in the first 2-3 days. Another area where Hiring.Cafe is really helpful. 7. Cover Letters. If you use them, they should be focused. The only customization should be: a) company name b) role name c) if one of the 3-4 bullet points doesn't apply to the role, delete or edit it. If you've done step 4 well, you won't have to do much customization for each role you apply to. 8. If you can find the managing TA/Recruiter, message them on LinkedIn. If you can find the manager, message them with your resume. Also, network with common company/school alumni for informational conversations and referrals. 9. Send a follow-up email to every interviewer that concisely reinforces how you've addressed the problems they're looking to solve and that you're excited to continue talking. As you can see, this is nothing magical. Just methodical execution. In summary: Demonstrate: ✅ You 𝒄𝒂𝒏 do the job ✅ You know 𝒉𝒐𝒘 to do the job ✅ You 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 to do the job Make it so a company doesn’t see you as the risky hire; 🔥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬. This market is tough. You may do all the right things.  You may be great, but for various (and sometimes intangible) reasons, you may not be who they're looking for. Accept it and move on. The right job is out there. You can do it. #ProjectManagement #TransitioningTeachers #CareerPivot #JobSeekers

If you’re close to a layoff, or just got laid off, here’s how to land your next role in 60 days (without applying to 100+ jobs). In the last few months, I’ve seen VPs and people at senior level at Microsoft, Amazon, and high-growth startups walk out with zero warning. If you are one of them, it's not a reflection of your value. But how you respond next changes everything. At the senior level, the traditional job search will fail you. You’re not trying to “get a job.” You’re trying to position yourself as the obvious choice before the role even gets posted. Here's the same strategy I’ve used with VPs, senior managers, and directors who didn’t have time to waste. 1. Build a micro case study deck Build a solid 2-slide deck. Slide 1 = A business problem you solved. Slide 2 = How you solved it, with metrics and decisions you drove. Why it works: → It shows how you think, not just what you’ve done → You can send it to a hiring manager before or after a call → It sets you apart instantly Tip: Use Canva or Google Slides. Keep it clean. Just focus on the outcomes. 2. Run a stealth interview pipeline Here’s how: → Pick 10 companies. Skip the job boards. → Find the economic buyer (the person who’d feel the pain of your absence: VP, GM, BU head) → Message them like this: “Hi [Name], I’ve helped [type of company] drive [metric]. I’m selectively exploring my next role and admire [Company]’s work in [area]. If there’s an opportunity to connect, I’d love to share more.” Why it works: → You’re positioning yourself as a peer, not a job-seeker. → These conversations often create roles, not just fill them. 3. Create a “readiness document” before any interview This is your edge. Before every interview, prepare a 1-pager with: - 3 key challenges the company is likely facing - How you have solved similar problems - Questions you’ll ask to show you’ve done your homework Bring it to the call. Refer to it. If appropriate, share it after. Why it works: → It signals strategic thinking. → You show up not as a candidate, but as a consultant. This is the level of prep that gets offers in 30–60 days, not 6 months. While everyone else just sends resumes. You can show up with evidence and prove why you're the right choice. Share this post to help someone navigating a layoff. P.S. Having a hard time finding your dream job? DM me "Career" to apply for The Fearless Hire, and show decision makers why you deserve a $200k+ role. (Link in comments)

Let’s face it—traditional job hunting can feel… soul-crushing. But there are creative ways to find opportunities that don’t involve endlessly applying to cold job posts. Here are a few approaches that actually work (and make you stand out): 🎯 Make a “reverse job post” – Instead of applying, post what you’re looking for and what you bring to the table. Let the right roles find you. 🎙️ Be loud about your skills – Share a short case study, a portfolio sample, or even a “day in the life” reel. Show > tell. 📬 Cold DM, warm approach – Reach out to people in roles you admire. Not to ask for a job—but to ask for insight. Jobs often follow. 🛠️ Build something – A tiny project, a landing page, a Notion doc, a demo. Creating is the new resume. 📢 Use niche communities – Reddit, Slack groups, industry Discords, newsletters—these are job goldmines most people overlook. 🎨 Brand yourself creatively – Resume as a website? LinkedIn as a story series? Use your platform to spark curiosity. 💬 Tell people you’re looking—but give them the right words – Make it easy for others to advocate for you. Be specific about role, industry, and value. 👀 Follow funding rounds – New funding = new hiring. Track who just raised and reach out before they post jobs. 🪄 Treat job hunting like marketing – You’re not “begging.” You’re offering value. So position yourself like a solution. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from showing up where others aren’t looking. Which of these have you tried—or want to try next? #JobSearchTips #CareerGrowth #HiddenJobs #PersonalBranding #CreativeCareers #NetworkingTips

Most job search advice is soft! ✨ “Believe in yourself!” ✨ “Keep applying!” ✨ “The right job will find you!” That’s cute. But here’s what actually works in 2025 — the unsexy, under-shared, and highly effective moves: 🔥 1. Be louder online than you are in interviews. Your LinkedIn is your audition tape. Comment. Post. DM. If your inbox is quiet, it’s because your profile is too. 🔥 2. Apply like a consultant, not a candidate. Don’t just say, “I’d love to work here.” Say: “Here’s how I’d solve this exact problem you’re facing.” Companies pay problem-solvers, not résumé-writers. 🔥 3. Show them you’re busy — even when you’re not. Consulting, volunteering, building something, mentoring. Nobody wants to hire someone waiting around. Create momentum. Signal relevance. 🔥 4. Stop job searching like it’s a secret. Closed mouths don’t get callbacks. Tell people you’re looking. Be specific. “I’m looking for a remote people ops leadership role in tech, preferably Series A–C.” That’s how doors open. 🔥 5. Don’t be afraid to make recruiters a little uncomfortable. Ask about comp early. Push back on vague timelines. Follow up unapologetically. You’re not being annoying — you’re being serious. The market is cold. Your strategy needs to be hot. What’s one “rule” you’ve broken that actually worked? #JobSearchUnfiltered #CareerStrategy #Hiring