Reader,

Part 2: Decide Fast, Apply Smart.

So you've read the posting.
You've done your self-assessment.

Now comes the part that most people get wrong:

They either spend three hours crafting the perfect application for a role they were never going to get without trying other channels, or they do nothing at all because it feels overwhelming and just submit the sample resume “as-is”.

Here's the rule I give every candidate I work with:

That's it.

Unless you’re starting from scratch, it should not take that long. And if a role isn't worth 15 focused minutes, it's not worth your time at all.

What to Do With Those 15 Minutes

Tailor your headline and summary to reflect the specific role.
We all wear many hats here, let’s make sure we are putting on the right cap.

Make sure your most relevant experience is visible above the fold.

Don't make anyone dig for why you're qualified. I should be able to toggle to your last role and clearly see:

• why you were hired
• what type of initiative you supported and...
• the impact that you made.

Ideally, it aligns with what I’m hiring for.

The Move That Actually Changes Things

Remember the candidate from Part 1? She applied to a director of engineering role which was really a technical lead position but she was missing part of the tech stack and all the domain knowledge (capital markets was the request and that’s usually niche).

That application alone was unlikely to move the needle. What moved the needle was that she found someone at the company who could refer her internally.

That is her best shot anyway.

Not because her resume isn't “good enough”, but simply due to the competition and general ask.

An internal referral changes the dynamic. It will at least promote the recruiter or hiring manager to look twice.

Before you apply to any role you genuinely want, spend a few minutes on LinkedIn.

• Find a recruiter at the company
• Find someone on the team
• Get a sense of the background of these people
• Feel free to reach out with a short, direct message

You don't need a connection to make a connection. There is nothing wrong with saying hello to someone else who uses LinkedIn’s platform.

That is how I scored a lot of my interviews.

The Bottom Line

Evaluate the posting. Look at when it was opened. Check the location.

Do an honest self-assessment and then make a decision.

Once you get into this habit, it takes less than 5 minutes to make that call. The other 10 is tweaking a few lines in your resume, adjusting your title, or tightening your objective and then pushing it forward and tracking the application and conversations you floated.

Know your competition. Spend your time where you actually have a shot. And when you find those roles, don't just submit and wait.

Make a move.

​
-Jaclyn