Skip the Resume. Start with Value.

If I lost my job tomorrow…

Here are 5 things I’d do to land the 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 role fast.

#3 is the most important.

Most people start with job boards.

Then apply for anything vaguely relevant.

But most of that is wasted effort.

Diverse professionals have a hard time getting their resume selected. System or unconscious bias knocks them out of the running, before the race even starts.

(Names recruiters can’t pronounce, gender, lack of experience, career breaks, etc)

Here’s how I’d approach it instead:

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗜 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁

→ What kind of problems give me energy?

→ What skills do I want to use daily?

→ What title, scope, and level actually fit me?

If you skip this, you end up chasing jobs that make you miserable 6 months in.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀)

→ Where would I be excited to show up every day?

→ Who’s doing work I admire?

→ Ask your network: “Do you know anyone who loves where they work?”

Start with 8 companies. Research them like you’re preparing for a meeting, not just scrolling listings.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲.

→ What’s one insight, opportunity, or idea I could bring them?

→ How can I demonstrate I understand their world?

→ Show don’t tell. Lead with what’s important to them.

The goal: Stand out without bragging. Look to give value, not just receive a role.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲

→ Hiring managers

→ Team leaders

→ Colleagues in similar roles

You’re not looking to pitch. You’re looking to 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵. Relationships open doors faster than resumes ever will.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟱: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 + 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝘆 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮

→ 3-4 personalized messages a day

→ Reference what I love about their work

→ Offer the idea as a way to start a conversation

No desperate asks. Just real value and genuine interest.

If I had to start over, I wouldn’t start with my resume.

I’d start with 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵.

The best roles don’t come from applying to 100 jobs.

They come from being the obvious “yes” when the right person hears your name.

This is Authentic Leadership in a job search.

“Your work is your résumé.”

Chris Bogan

Chief of Staff at Appfire, Strategic Advisor, NYT Bestselling Author, Speaker and Investor