First, figure out where your search is actually getting stuck.

Hi Emily,

Before you rewrite your resume again, stop.

I know. Your applications aren’t working, so changing the resume feels like the most productive thing you can do. And sometimes, yes, the resume needs work.

But sometimes the resume is perfectly fine, and the market is blocking you somewhere else.

Last week, hundreds of job seekers told me what feels broken about this market. But here’s the thing: You are not all getting stuck in the same place.

Which challenge sounds most like your job search?

1) FINDING REAL, RELEVANT JOBS
You keep seeing the same listings. Jobs disappear and reappear. Every posting already has hundreds of applicants, and you’re not sure which companies are actually hiring.

2) GETTING YOUR APPLICATION SEEN
You apply for roles you’re qualified for and receive an immediate or generic rejection—even when you have a referral.

3) EXPLAINING YOUR EXPERIENCE
You’re navigating ageism, overqualification, a career pivot, a gap, consulting work, or a background that does not fit neatly into one job title.

4) GETTING ACTUAL HUMANS TO ENGAGE
Networking conversations go nowhere. Recruiters reach out first and then disappear. And now you also have to determine whether the “recruiter” is even real.

5) KNOWING WHAT IS ACTUALLY WORKING
You are applying, tailoring, networking, posting, messaging, and following up, but you cannot tell what is moving you forward or wasting your time.

These are five different problems, and they do not have the same solution.

And this is why so much job-search advice feels useless right now. “Keep applying.” “Network more.” “Fix your resume.” “Post on LinkedIn.”

Okay…but which one? How much? And is that actually where your search is getting stuck?

Tomorrow, Deb Haas and I are tackling this exact question during our LinkedIn Live:

Em & Deb Shoot the Sh!t: Navigating this Clusterf*ck of a Job Market

This week's topic: Where Is This Market Blocking Your Job Search?
Thursday, July 23 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Last week, more than 200 people joined us to talk about why this market feels so broken. This week, we’re helping you identify where your search may be getting blocked, whether you actually need to change your strategy, and what you could try next.

SIGN UP + JOIN US LIVE HERE

Before the Live, hit reply and tell me what you're struggling with the most: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

Or tell me what #6 should be.

Your responses will help us shape tomorrow’s conversation around what job seekers actually need, not another collection of generic tips you’ve already heard 500 times.

SIGN UP + JOIN US LIVE HERE

I’m rooting for you,

Emily

PS: Can't attend this week, but want to know about future LinkedIn Lives and other live events with Emily + Deb? Sign up here for notifications. 

Emily Worden