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The 24 hour job application rule: Why you need to follow up fast

How’s your networking game?

More specifically, how’s your follow-up game?

Did you know that you should be following up on all of your job applications?

In fact, I tell all my coaching students they need to follow up on every single one of their applications within 24 hours or less.

Yes, that fast.

“But why? Because even when I do follow up, I almost never hear anything back.”

“What should my approach be when I do that kind of follow-up?”

“Who am I supposed to follow up with?”

These are some of the things I cover with the people in my coaching program. But keep reading for some insight.

Why You Should Follow Up That Fast

Every hiring process moves at its own pace. Once a job is posted, you never know how fast the hiring party is going to move.

By the time you see it, you won’t necessarily know where they are in the hiring process. For example, the recruiter may have already identified the 10 candidates they want to pass on to the hiring manager for interviews. And recruiters don’t always go back to the candidate pool once this happens (unless they need to).

So if you’ve submitted your application after they’ve found 10ish applicants that meet the hiring manager’s criteria, there’s a good chance your app is not going to be seen in part because the recruiter might not know you even applied.

That is, of course, unless you tell them right away. See what I’m sayin?

What Should My Approach Be When I Follow Up?

Your follow-up needs to be concise and done in a way that very quickly and clearly communicates that you’re an amazing candidate for this role. You gotta convince them that they need to add another person to their small circle of really qualified candidates. In other words, you have to be incredibly well-branded. Especially if you’re pivoting from one industry to another.

Read those last few sentences again!

Who Should You Be Following Up With?

The people with hiring say-so should be your targets. That generally means recruiters and hiring managers. If you’ve networked well, you can get right into the interview room via the hiring manager.

You might have to do some digging to find these people, but there are ways and it’s well worth it. Keep in mind that this is a–if not THE–crucial part of your job search.

Coaching Slots Open

We’re getting close to the end of the summer, and that can mean we’re heading into a time of year where hiring sees an uptick for a bit.

Getting hired is hard. If you’d like help making that happen, let me know quickly! I have a few more slots open in my coaching program.

You can get into my most popular tier for $1099 if you contact me before Wednesday, September 4th. After that, it will go back to its normal price of $1295 before going up in the fall!

It’s an offer that’s only going out to those of you seeing this post, so take advantage! Message/email me if you have questions, or click here to set up your free consultation now.

See ya next time!

~B

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Career confidence is down: Here’s 5 tips to help

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Aw snap.

I recently saw in LinkedIn’s latest Workforce Confidence survey that people on average are feeling less confident in their careers. 

The survey looks at how confident folks are about moving up in their careers, getting and keeping jobs, and improving their financial situations, all scored on a scale from -100 to +100. The average confidence score has dropped to +24, down from +32 at the start of the year.

I work daily with both unemployed and employed people, and I see this lack of confidence all the time. It’s understandable. The job market is super competitive these days and everything is getting more expensive (a bag of chips and a 20oz drink at the gas station is like $7 now?!).

If you’re unemployed, the job search can be frustrating and even depressing. You might be qualified, but landing a job is still ridiculously hard. If you’re employed but looking for a change, finding a new job or getting a promotion can seem nearly impossible. So everyone’s confidence is in the gutter.

So then, how can you build confidence in your ability to navigate, advance, and manage your career? One great way is to stay curious. Here’s 5 quick tips for inquiring minds on how to use your curiosity to up your confidence:

Embrace Curiosity to Boost Career Confidence
  1. Look Beyond Your Current Field or Department:
    • Check out roles outside your industry, company, or department. You might find exciting possibilities you hadn’t thought of.
  2. Explore Opportunities Within Your Current Sphere:
    • Look for new roles or responsibilities in your current field, company, or department. Sometimes, the best opportunities are right under your nose.
  3. Learn from Others in Interesting Jobs:
    • Talk to people in roles you find intriguing. Their career paths and daily routines can offer valuable insights.
  4. Expand Your Network:
    • Connect with both people you know and new contacts. Expanding your network can lead to unexpected opportunities and fresh perspectives.
  5. Reflect on Personal Barriers:
    • Think about what might be holding you back. Understanding your own obstacles is the first step to overcoming them.

Approaching your career with curiosity helps you gather information. This leads to greater clarity, helping you spot gaps in your skills or knowledge. By addressing these gaps, you unlock new opportunities and gain a sense of control over your career path, boosting your confidence.

In a tough job market, staying curious and proactive can make a huge difference. Embrace curiosity, seek out new information, and take steps to bridge your gaps. This proactive approach can help you navigate your career with more confidence and optimism.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR Y’ALL!

I’m opening up more spots for free 30 minute coaching consultations for August and September! 

If you’re job searching, know (or suspect) you’re qualified, and not getting the results you’re looking for, that can impact your confidence in a not so good way.

Come chat and let’s see what’s up. Click here to get your spot. They’re already starting to go since I announced this on LinkedIn yesterday!

The fall is approaching, so employers are coming back from vacations with hopes of getting jobs filled to close out the year. Let’s use this part of the summer wisely!

  • Get some support
  • Get some insight
  • Learn your options

For free 🙂

Claim my spot
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Are transferable skills useless these days?

Raise your hand if you have transferable skills!

Now keep your hand up if you feel like you’re having 0 luck landing a job despite having transferable skills.

Awkward.

In theory, transferable skills are super valuable. In fact, you can google transferable skills and find all kinds of blogs and articles talking about how in-demand they are.

In reality, though, what tends to happen is transferable skills don’t land you a job.

Transferable skills on their own will not land you a job.

On their own, they are kinda useless.

There’s hope, but first, let’s look at why I’m telling you they’re useless on their own.

AN EXAMPLE

Let’s say I’m a hiring manager, and I’m hiring for a Project Manager role. There are 100 candidates in the pool for this position.

Keep in mind that my hiring team and I have limited time and resources.

Why would I hire a teacher with transferable skills, when there’s 30 perfectly good project managers in the pool?

What are the chances of that?

What are the chances of me using my limited resources to even interview that teacher with transferable skills when I could just interview the 30 perfectly good project managers?

The odds are probably not very good.

Now if I had UNLIMITED resources (i.e. time, money, energy, hands, etc.), then sure I might take the time to really dive into exploring how actually useful and relevant your transferable skills are (they are). I might actually come to understand how effective you are at delivering the results I need via your transferable skills, especially once you’ve been trained.

But I don’t have unlimited resources, sooo I’m probably just gonna make it easy on myself and hire someone who’s already a project manager. Sorry.

This is why you’re not getting interviews or jobs off the strength of your transferable skills.

But again! There’s hope!

In order for your transferable skills to be useful, you have to do something with them.

You have to translate them.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?
  1. First of all, you have to identify what your relevant transferable skills are. What is it that you can do that would be useful in a different context? What functions have you performed that require abilities you could use in a new field or role type?

You have to be intentional and specific about this step first and foremost.

  1. Once you’ve identified them, it’s time to learn how to tell stories about them. In particular, it’s time to stop talking about your “teacher” experience like teacher experience, and instead start talking about it like “project manager” experience.

An employer is not going to connect the dots between your transferable skills and the role for you. You have to do it for them.

This second step is the part that trips people up. In order to talk about your teacher experiences and skills like project manager experiences and skills, you need to learn how project managers talk about their stuff.

What do you know about what project managers actually do on the day-to-day? What tasks and functions do they execute? What terms and lingo do they use? What outcomes do they work toward (emphasis on this part)? So on and so forth.

You gotta learn how to tell the story correctly, and that means telling it in a way that is (1) recognizable and (2) speaks to the relevant impact you can have through your skills.

Without this, your transferable skills will not do you much good.

BRANDING PLAYS A ROLE

Part of developing your brand is identifying your core tools, and learning how to sell/pitch them. In other words, what skills are you really really good with, and how well do you convey your proficiency with them?

Getting your framing down.

When you get really clear on your brand, you’ll be more aware of your core skills. You’ll become better at telling stories about how you have and can use them. You’ll be more effective at conveying your ability to drive impact and outcomes.

And this will help you translate your transferable skills into a set of tools that can actually help you land that project manager role.

If you’re looking to pivot from one role type or field to another, branding is a valuable step for you.

Would you be able to tell me about your brand right now? If the answer is no, we should talk.

I’m running a Build Your Transferable Brand program designed to help you put together your brand in 2 1-on-1 sessions with me. The details and benefits? See for yourself:

It’s a $400 program, but you can get it for $300 for the next 7 days! This deal is vanishing on August 2nd!

Let’s get to it right now so you can be up and running in time for the fall (as in, when hiring typically picks back up again).

Click here to get started.

Wanna talk about it? Send me a message!

CONTACT FORM

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Nervous interviewer? 3 confidence-building tips for interviews

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Intense sweating?

Blanking out?

Clicking your pen?

Rambling?

You might be a nervous interviewer. I see lots of people who are anxious before their interviews. It’s natural. It’s a sign you care a lot. It also sucks because it gets in your way of performing well and landing that dang job. 

BUT, with the right mindset and preparation, you can approach your next job interview with confidence and boost those chances of success. Let’s explore some tips and insights I share with my clients that can help you navigate the interview process with more ease.

#1: YOU ARE QUALIFIED! EMBRACE THAT AND RELAX

Most people who struggle with interviews often experience anxiety because they anticipate being asked questions they either won’t be able to answer at all, or won’t have a good answer to. 

However, if you’re applying for jobs you know you’re qualified for, the chances of running into a question you can’t handle are pretty close to zero. 

Remember, the only reason you’re even in the interview is because you have the skills and experience the employer is seeking. Rather than letting anxiety take over, allow yourself to relax and trust in your abilities. When you’re relaxed, you’re more likely to feel confident and provide thoughtful responses.

They are not going to stump you!

#2: BRING YOUR PERSONALITY TO THE INTERVIEW

It’s easy to slip out of your natural personality in an interview because the power dynamic can make you nervous. To combat this, consciously remind yourself to stay grounded in your personality in the interview. 

One thing that can help you stay in your personality is breaking the ice early. Try making a casual observation about the interviewer’s room or background during the initial introductions. 

For example, you could say something like, “Wow, I just gotta say, your cork board is huge! I need me something like THAT!” or “Before we start, I just wanna say your background kinda reminds me of that one scene in Finding Nemo!” or “I see the sun is shining where you are, and it’s reminding me I need to go get some sun today!” 

These small personal touches can help you relax and allow your true personality to shine through.

#3: PAUSE BEFORE RESPONDING

Even when you know you have a solid answer to a question, resist the urge to respond immediately. 

Instead, take a brief pause – a second or two – before answering. Look up, thoughtful as always, and then provide your response. This small pause can help you gather and organize your thoughts, preventing rambling or incoherent answers. 

Additionally, it conveys valuable intangibles to your interviewers, such as confidence, an ability to think carefully on your feet, and comfort handling pressure (even if you don’t actually feel that way in the moment).

And there ya go! Start with these tips, and go from there.

Remember, if you’re applying for jobs that align with your qualifications, you’re likely to have good answers to the interview questions.

By embracing your qualifications, bringing your personality to the interview, and pausing before responding, you’ll help yourself take the edge off your anxiety in your next job interview.

Good luck out there interviewers!

Curious about more?

You’re job searching–or thinking about job searching–and not having a good time?

You’re putting off job searching because you’re worried about the stress?

Yeah it’s hard out there.

Coaching might be a good resource for you, but if you’re like most people, you’re probably not sure.

If you’d like to know more about coaching, how it has helped others in your situation, and how it can help you, fill out your info below or email me at brandon@begallantcoaching.com.

I’ll send you a quick email with some brief information you can read and digest on your own time.

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Or you can just sign up for a free consultation with me here.

Either way, let’s stay connected!

~B

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4 Negotiation tips to help you get the bag next time

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We all want to get paid what we’re worth, right? 

Yeah, we do!

But negotiating your salary can feel awkward and uncomfortable if you don’t know what you’re doing, and a lot of us coming from Higher Ed don’t have any negotiation experience. 

Too many people leave fat stacks of cash on the table because they just don’t know what to do when the opportunity to negotiate comes. Rather than lean into the discomfort, they wind up avoiding the opportunity altogether by just taking whatever is initially offered.

If that’s you, I understand. It’s awkward, after all. But don’t be like that anymore! With some smart moves and a little swagger, YOU can score a way bigger paycheck when you land your next job.

Does an extra $10k or $15k sound nice? More?

Check out these 4 insider tips:

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  1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFOREHAND. Knowledge equals power when it comes to negotiating, y’all. And you want to get the knowledge you need early. Before you even start interviewing, spend some time researching typical pay ranges for your role, experience level, and location. Sites like Glassdoor and PayScale have a lot of good info. Once you’re locked and loaded with real numbers, you’ll be able to negotiate with authority.
  1. DON’T NAME YOUR PRICE FIRST. Here’s a rookie mistake to avoid: blurting out a number if/when they ask about your salary expectations. Boom, you just lost all your leverage! Instead, keep it cool and deflect gracefully. Tell them you want to learn more about the full scope and compensation package before discussing numbers. Break a communication rule: ask them what they would typically pay someone with your high-value skills and experience. Make them show their cards first so you don’t accidentally get yourself low-balled.
  1. NEGOTIATE LIVE OR IN-PERSON. Serious money talks shouldn’t go down over email where things can get lost in translation. Request an actual face-to-face meeting, video call, or at the very minimum a phone chat. Having a real-time convo lets you read between the lines, sell your value proposition, and negotiate more effectively on the fly. Negotiation is all about influence and persuasion. You lose some of that when you’re not able to look the person you’re talking to in the eyes.
  1. GET IT IN WRITING. Once you’ve finessed your way to the deal you’re happy with, get every detail documented in writing before accepting. That means base pay, bonuses, equity, benefits – the whole nine yards. Having it all spelled out officially means it’s a done deal and eliminates the opportunity for any shadiness later on. Oh, and when I say “Get it in writing,” I don’t mean an email. I mean a contract or offer sheet. An actual document.

BONUS. Don’t settle for the first offer they give you! Even if it’s more than you were expecting and more than you were hoping for. Always ask to negotiate to see if you can actually get more because you just might be able to! Remember: whatever you miss out on in negotiations is gonna be hard (maybe impossible) to recuperate without leaving.

At the end of the day, we gotta live, and that takes money and compensation. It’s hard out here these days, so don’t be shy about demanding top dollar for your skills and experience. Get prepared, stay smooth, and get that bag!

It’s hard just getting to the negotiation stage, huh?

If you’re having a hard time getting to the interview and job offer/negotiation stage, it’s not just you.

Fact is, hiring is a mess right now and mad competitive.

If that is what you’re experiencing, though, you might have a branding problem.

In other words, you might be struggling to clearly convey why YOU– of all the people with similar qualifications and skills and experiences–are the one that can actually provide the right kind of value.

Exactly how are your skills transferable? How can you move the needle?

If you solve that issue, your chances of landing those interviews and securing those offers goes way up.

Come check out my Build Your Transferable Brand program. It’s quick and easy, and I’ll have you up and running with your personal brand in just 2 50 minute sessions.

I know some of you are tired of spinning your wheels and getting little-to-no results (because I’ve talked to some of you). This is your sign.

Let’s get you up and running before summer starts and hiring slows down.

Click here and let’s do it!

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4 Reasons why your brand can unlock your job search

Come sit ’round the fire, job seekers!

Let’s talk about something more valuable than your resume in the job hunt jungle: your brand. 

Does it sound like a marketing buzzword? 

Yes.

But IS it some kind of marketing buzzword?

…yes. But it’s actually the real deal this time.

It’s not just about what’s on your resume; it’s about who you are and how you present yourself to the world.

So, I’ve been chatting with a bunch of people lately (including some of you reading this), one on one, and when I ask about their brand, I see a lot of deer-in-the-headlights looks. 

Blank stares, awkward laughs, you name it. I’ve also been hearing a lot of confusion on things like how and where to start in the job search, especially for those of y’all who are looking to change industries. Very understandable. It’s like we’re all in this maze, and nobody’s sure where the exit is. 

But here’s the thing: your brand is your map. It’s what guides you to the right opportunities and helps you stand out from the crowd (click here for help on that).

Here are four solid reasons why nailing your brand is the key to job hunting success:

1. CAREER ALIGNMENT

Ever feel like you’re wandering aimlessly through a job fair, not sure which booths to check out? Your brand is like a compass, pointing you toward roles that fit your skills and values like a glove. It’s all about finding your groove and going after the gigs that make your heart sing, both from a values standpoint and a skills standpoint.

2. IMPACT COMMUNICATION

Hiring managers are busy people. Recruiters are also busy people. They don’t have time to decode your resume and figure out what you bring to the table. You need to be able to do this quickly by identifying what’s important to them, and drawing accurate parallels between what they need and what you have. That’s where your brand comes in handy. It’s your elevator pitch, your value proposition, your secret sauce for showing them why you’re the right person for the job. It’s what allows you to clearly communicate how you can move the needle in a way that is unique and necessary.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about how to communicate the transferability of your skills (I’m lookin’ at y’all, education and non-profit professionals) this is at the core of that.

3. NETWORKING PROWESS AND OPPORTUNITIES

You’ve heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Well, your brand is your VIP pass to the networking party. When people know who you are and what you’re all about, they’re more likely to hook you up with the right opportunities and introduce you to their circle of connections.

4. CONSISTENCY & RECOGNIZABILITY

Think of your branding as your personal logo. You want it to be consistent across all your job hunt materials — your LinkedIn profile, your resume, your cover letter, you name it. That way, when employers see your brand popping up everywhere, they’ll recognize you and remember you more.

Figuring out your brand is not obvious, but it’s worth the effort. So, if you’re feeling lost in the job hunt wilderness, take a step back, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and let’s figure it out together.

The Build Your Transferable Brand program is meant to help you craft a brand that you are clear on and ready to use to your advantage in your job search.

Your brand will help you set yourself apart from others via the stories you craft in your resume and cover letter, interviews, LinkedIn, and networking opportunities. The transferability of your skills and the value of your impact will be clearer to the people you come in contact with.

And it’s only two sessions! If you’re still job searching or considering a pivot, meet with me for two sessions and I’ll have you up and running with a newly crafted brand you can actively use to your advantage this spring.

Early bird pricing is still active, so the program is only $295 and will last until May 5th. Click here and let’s get started!

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The 3-part LinkedIn strategy to use for your job search

In today’s digital age, LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professionals seeking career blah blah blah.

Now that we got that out the way, let’s talk tangible stuff.

LinkedIn can be incredibly useful, but it can also be overwhelming and confusing. So much so that a lot of people–including some of my clients–just avoid it and miss out on its benefits. So allow me to simplify things by giving you a few keys to help you unlock your search via LinkedIn.

1. Use LinkedIn to Find Jobs and Info, But Don’t Apply Directly On LinkedIn

It may seem counterintuitive, but one of the most effective strategies for job hunting on LinkedIn is to avoid applying directly through the platform. Instead, use LinkedIn as a research tool to gather information about potential employers, their respective industries, and what jobs are even available.

Once you’ve found a role you like and gathered enough info, apply directly on the company site, or even better, directly with a recruiter.

I repeat, always apply directly on the company site, or directly with a recruiter.

Start by exploring company profiles to gain insights into their culture, values, and recent developments. Take note of any connections you have who work at these companies and reach out to them for informational interviews or advice.

By taking a proactive approach to research and networking on LinkedIn, you can gain a deeper understanding of potential employers and position yourself as a qualified candidate when the time comes to apply.

2. Don’t Pay Attention to the Number of Applicants Displayed on Job Postings

I regularly hear education and non-profit professionals (and really people from a lot of career fields) talk about how discouraging it is to see a job posting with 500 applicants, but PAY IT NO MIND. Three reasons for that:

  1. The number of applicants is just one piece of the puzzle, and it doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of your candidacy.
  2. If it’s NOT an Easy Apply posting, then the “Apply” button you see is basically just a link to the original posting on the company website. Once you leave LinkedIn, the platform has no way of knowing whether you applied or not, so it just counts EVERYONE that clicked the Apply button/link as an applicant. Try it out yourself. Click the button and then go back to LinkedIn and refresh the page a couple times. You’ll see the number go up. In other words…that number means practically nothing to you.
  3. If it IS an Easy Apply posting, a whole lotta those applicants are not going to be particularly qualified. They just applied because it was…easy. Again, that number basically has no meaning.

So anyway, instead of focusing on the competition, focus on crafting a tailored application that highlights your skills, experiences, results, and alignment with the company’s values. Personalize your resume and cover letter to demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and your potential contributions to the organization.

Get to know your BRAND! Speaking of which, let’s pause…

****

Do you know your brand? Knowing your brand and how to convey it well is what will ultimately distinguish you from other candidates with similar skills, experience, and qualifications.

So yes, you need to know your brand in and out and how to convey it. If you don’t, peep the end of this post.

****

Remember, recruiters are looking for candidates who stand out from the crowd, so use this opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications and passion for the position. By staying focused on your strengths and what sets you apart, you can increase your chances of catching the recruiter’s attention, regardless of the number of applicants.

3. Use the Jobs Section to Identify Hiring Managers or People Who Work at the Company

While the Jobs section on LinkedIn is a valuable resource for finding job listings, it can also be a powerful tool for networking and making connections within your target companies.

Some postings will literally tell you who the hiring manager or recruiter is. That’s golden information! Send them a connection request and engage with their content to build rapport and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Take advantage of the fact that LinkedIn shows you if you have connections or fellow alumni at the companies you’re looking at to identify potential contacts. Reach out to them with personalized messages expressing your interest in the company and asking for advice or insights into the hiring process.

And you can also look at the People tab on the company profile to identify in-house recruiters or talent acquisition pros. You’ll wanna reach out to them too.

When you leverage the Jobs section strategically, you can not only uncover job opportunities but also expand your network and increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring decision-makers.

And there you have it! Take this strategy and apply it to your search. Keep at it and eventually you’ll break through!

Build Your Transferable Brand

Professionals that are really tapped into their brand tend to have way more success in their career and job searches than those who are not.

They’re more confident, better at conveying how they drive impact (which is ultimately what an employer cares about), and they understand how their skills are translatable to multiple roles and industries.

If you’re having trouble landing interviews or job offers, there’s probably a branding component that you’re falling short on.

I want to invite you to take part in my short-term branding program, where you and I will work together to build out your brand and your ability to successfully and quickly convey it to your benefit.

Using your brand will help you set yourself apart from others via the stories you craft in your resume and cover letter, interviews, LinkedIn, and networking opportunities. The transferability of your skills and the value of your impact will be clearer to those you come in contact with.

The results: greater confidence, better job offers, more aligned work, and better compensation.

And it’s only two sessions! If you’re still job searching and considering a pivot, meet with me for two sessions and I’ll have you up and running with a newly crafted brand you can actively use to your advantage this spring.

Early bird pricing is only $295 and will last until May 5th. Click here and let’s get started!

We’re at the beginning of spring, so now is a great time to get active on this! Don’t let the spring energy pass you by!

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You can keep your career imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome.

General lack of confidence.

Doubt.

Fear of the unknown.

A lot of us have dealt with–or are still dealing with–some sort of internalized challenge that has gotten in the way of our career progress.

And it sucks!

For those of you who know what I’m talking about, keep reading. I have a lesson I want to share with you that has helped me immensely.

In early March 2024 I was invited to a panel hosted at my alma mater to talk about how my Black identity has impacted my career trajectory.

It had me reflecting on things I don’t always directly think about. Definitely not recently. Lemme explain real quick.

I was a STEM student (still feel like I’m a STEM person deep down, but that’s another story). I majored in math and computer science at UC Santa Barbara. In the majority of my classes for my majors, I was the only black student. At most, I remember there being 1 or 2 others in some of them.

I remember being stared at when I walked into the classrooms. It was like one of those “Uhhh– oh snap I’m staring at him and he saw me” looks. Lol.

And get this! When I first started in computer science I didn’t even know what it actually was. But my peers definitely did. Many of them went to high schools that taught CS. Mine definitely did not, so I was kinda coming in behind.

Put all that together and what did it make? Say it with me–Imposter Syndrome! Still, I got pretty good.

Fast forward to now and I coach people on how to successfully navigate the job search process through the wonderful world that is Be Gallant Coaching. When I take a look at my fellow coaches, or when I’m in a space with other coaches, what do I see?

I’m almost invariably the youngest and the only black person. I’ve even had people point it out to me.

I still feel imposter syndrome from time to time.

BUT!

In that, there’s a lesson I’ve picked up over time that’s helped me make more progress faster. And it started back in my computer science and math days as an undergrad.

Ready for this? Here it is…

I can keep my imposter syndrome. I don’t have to defeat it or vanquish it.

As long as I remember it’s not allowed to make or influence my real world decisions. 

Because guess what, yall? I’ve helped LOADS of people take the next step in their career.

I’m talking land jobs, pivot industries, negotiate better offers. The works.

I’ve empowered lots of people and the vast majority of them are BIPOC and/or underrepresented.

The messages things like my imposter syndrome tell me aren’t actually real. I feel them. They come from real things and experiences…but they’re not real.

So if you deal with imposter syndrome or lack of confidence or fear or whatever your “gremlin” is. Cool.

You can actually keep it. You don’t have to utterly vanquish it at all.

Just remember that it has to sit in the back seat, and under no circumstances does it get to touch the steering wheel.

Take some imperfect action today!

It’s time to get moving on your career goals, and if job searching is on the horizon for you, it’s time for you to identify your brand.

Your brand is what sets you apart from a competitive pool of people who are just as qualified as you are.

It’s what helps employers understand the transferability, value, and impact of your skills.

If you don’t know what your brand is right now, sign up below for info on how you can start to build it today.

Your skills and experience are valuable and transferable, especially if you’re coming from the education or non-profit worlds.

Stay Brave!

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3 Follow-up templates to use in your job search

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One of the best things you can do for yourself when you’re applying for a job is…

Follow up.

Follow up with that one person you networked with after your informational interview.

Follow up with the recruiter after you submit every single job application.

Follow up with your interviewers after your interviews.

Follow it all up! Do it every time!

But knowing what to say isn’t always super intuitive, so I’ll help you out with a couple samples!

FOLLOWING UP ON YOUR JOB APPLICATIONS

Hello [Name],

My name is Brandon, and I’m reaching out to let you know that I eagerly submitted my application for the [job title] position over the weekend.

I’m very excited about the opportunity to [describe something about the role you’re excited about]! I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss my fit for the position with you, as I believe my experience and skills in [blah blah] will position me to make an immediate impact. Do you have 10 minutes this week to discuss the role with me?

I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Best wishes,

Brandon

FOLLOWING UP ON YOUR INTERVIEW

Hello [Interviewer],

Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me about my fit for the [position name] earlier today. I really enjoyed the time we spent, and I particularly enjoyed your question about [blah blah]! 

I recognize that it is crucial to be able to [highlight a central function you’re able to excel at] in this role. I want to reiterate my excitement to hit the ground running with that and make an immediate impact on the team.

If you have any other questions about my fit for the role, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m more than happy to hop on another call with you. 

Again, I really appreciate your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Take care,

Brandon

FOLLOWING UP WITH THAT PERSON YOU MET AT A NETWORKING EVENT A YEAR AGO

Hi [So and So],

It’s been some time since we last spoke! Quick refresher: I’m Brandon Johnson. We met at that networking event in Downtown LA last year, where we connected over [such and such]. I still think about some of the thoughts you shared from time to time!

I saw your company is hiring for another Customer Support Manager position and I’m really interested in applying for it! I was wondering if you’d be open to setting up a quick 10 minute phone call with me. I’d love to hear about your experience in the role and learn from your insights. Are you available next Monday or Wednesday at all?

Hope to hear from you soon! Maybe I’ll see you at the next conference!

Take care,

Brandon

WRAPPING UP

And there ya have it! Short, sweet, and to the point. Feel free to take and adapt.

Of course, this kind of outreach comes after your application, or after your interview, and so on and so forth. There’s a lot that goes into job searching…and it’s not always easy.

If you’re interested in getting some support, or if you just want to explore support options, let me know.

You can set up a free consultation with me (CLICK HERE!) and subscribe to my blog below (yes, it’s the F-word: Fantastic……….And Free).

Time to make that transition you’ve been putting off! Stay Brave.

~Brandon

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There’s 1 ingredient you’re missing when you apply.

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Applying for jobs is stressful.

It just is.

And it’s not always easy to break through, especially with the job market being as competitive as it is these days.

I’ve talked to dozens of job seekers just over the last couple months alone, and pretty much all of them have expressed difficulties landing interviews.

And…

While it’s challenging to secure those interviews, there’s something that’s missing from the huge majority of job seekers’ approach to applying for jobs.

THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR APPLICATIONS COMPLETE

No, I’m not talking about tailoring your resume (speaking of which, is that a waste of time?).

I’m not even talking about the most common deficiency I see in people’s resumes (hint: it has to do with outcomes).

So, what then?

What I’m talking about is following up. The one thing you need to start doing is following up on your applications.

And, yes, I said your applications, not your interviews (although you should be following up after those, too).

That begs the question…

WITH WHO?

You need to put yourself in front of people with what I call “hiring say-so.” Generally speaking, that’s recruiters and hiring managers.

Find out who the hiring manager or recruiter is for the role and let them know you’re in their candidate pool and excited to chat about your fit.

And you should do this with every single one of your applications.

Yup you read that right, don’t play yourself! Follow up with somebody involved in the hiring process every time you apply for something.

I like to call this animating your application. When you just submit your app, you only exist on paper (or the screen but you know what I mean).

That’s inanimate and lifeless. Worse–it’s easy to miss, given all the other submissions from other candidates.

You want to engage people. Reach out to them and let them know you’re actually there and eager to meet with them before the process moves on without you.

This is the secret gravy.

Drizzle this secret gravy into your application process, and watch things change for the better!

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