Job search not working? Here’s how to fix it

Not hearing back from employers? Learn how to stand out and land the job you want

Interview requests

Looking for a job before year-end? Then act like it. Plenty of people out there are just as qualified as you—maybe more. If you don’t step up, someone else will. Get your act together, sharpen your profile and start competing to win. And with fewer job openings in many sectors and AI screening out weak candidates, your margin for error is shrinking fast.

Because waiting isn’t an option, the key is to act now on the following:

Audit your digital footprint

Like it or not, employers will Google you. Your LinkedIn profile is your 24/7 online résumé—and your first impression. If it’s weak, outdated or full of fluff, you’re giving recruiters a reason to skip you.

Delete old posts, remove anything that criticizes past employers and make sure your profile presents you as a high-value candidate. Ask:

• Is my profile picture and banner professional and current?
• Does my headline sell my value—not just my job title?
• Does every role include hard numbers that prove I deliver results?

Then clean up the rest. Google yourself. Look for anything outdated, off-brand or careless. Set all personal social media accounts to private. Set up a Google Alert on your name to monitor what’s being posted. And until you’ve landed the job and stayed six months, don’t post anything that doesn’t reinforce your credibility.

Touch base with your network

Once your digital presence is solid, reconnect with the people who already know you. You likely reached out to friends, family and contacts early in your job search, but that was a while ago. Time to follow up.

Send a quick note: “Hey, just thinking of you—how’s life?” When they respond, update them: let them know you’re still searching and remind them of what kind of role you’re after, the industry you’re interested in and your relevant experience. If they don’t know what you want, they can’t help you.

Once your circle is re-engaged, it’s time to widen your reach and go directly to the source.

Reach out to recruiters and companies

Top job seekers don’t sit around waiting for postings. They make things happen.

Put together a list of 20 recruiters specializing in your field and another of 20 target companies. Identify at least five people in senior roles at the target companies and introduce yourself with a personalized message, one that is relevant, interesting and effectively conveys your “you.”

Be clear that you’re looking for a job and then explain why you’d be a great value-add to their company or, when reaching out to a recruiter, their clients.

• What type of work gets you out of bed in the morning?
• What are your professional superpowers? (backed by results achieved)
• What kind of company do you want to work for?
• What other interesting things about you might make you stand out?

Once you’ve sent your message, follow the person on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, and—this is key—engage with their posts and comments in ways that showcase your expertise. Your goal is to create visibility that supports the adage, “It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.”

Set up Google Alerts

Setting up Google Alerts for your target companies, industry news and job postings gives you a significant competitive edge. By staying informed, you can act quickly when opportunities such as business expansion, venturing into a new market or product line, or job postings are mentioned.

Instead of venting or criticizing employers, focus on what you can control—your expectations and your strategy. You can’t change the job market or how employers hire. You can only change your approach. With a consistent, proactive approach in which you make each day count and stop waiting for employers to post jobs, there’s a very good chance that, even in today’s job market, you’ll land a job before Dec. 31.

Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job.