If I had to pick my least favorite thing, applying for jobs would be right at the top, along with endless interviews (as a candidate, that is, I actually loved being a recruiter for almost a decade!).
Over the years, I applied for roles in Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, navigating cultural differences and puzzling hiring processes.
But not all companies are the same. Along the way, I met incredible recruiters who completely changed my candidate experience. They inspired me to become the kind of recruiter who helps fix a process that often feels broken.
I’ve also been in that place where you’re staring at your screen, lacking motivation, wondering what’s next for your career. I learned that before looking for a job, you should reach full clarity about your values, skills, and gaps. Without this, you risk jumping into a role that looks good on paper but doesn’t truly fit who you are or where you want to go.
Ask yourself: What kind of work makes me feel energized rather than drained? What impact do I want to have in my career? What kind of environment allows me to thrive? Your values act as a compass, guiding you toward roles and companies that align with what truly matters to you. Once you have this clarity, it becomes much easier to communicate your strengths and ambitions on LinkedIn, making you more attractive to recruiters and hiring managers.
1. Browse job ads without applying
Think of it like window shopping before a big sale. No pressure to “buy” (apply), just a chance to see what’s out there. When you find an interesting job, whether it’s in your current field or something new, save it in a document. Don’t overthink it; just collect the data.
2. Research company pages on LinkedIn
Great companies have even better employer branding and marketing teams. Their pages showcase diversity, sustainability, and happy employees. But is it the full picture? Head to Glassdoor, filter reviews by "most recent," and look for patterns in the pros and cons. Just like companies check your references, you should check theirs (I promise, sometimes the comments are hilarious!).
3. Be curious about people
Start noticing trends. Which roles keep catching your eye? What do people in those jobs have in common? Look at their LinkedIn profiles: what skills, courses, and experiences got them there? Take notes. These insights will help shape your own positioning later.
4. Connect with company alumni
When researching companies, you’ll often find people who worked at your current or past employer. Reach out politely and ask about their experience. How does their new company compare? This kind of insider info is priceless. Bonus: I’ve been referred to jobs multiple times just by having these conversations, without even asking! Don’t follow the gurus advice: quit spamming recruiters and hiring managers with your resume. They often don’t have time to go through dozens of ChatGPT inmails that follow the same identical script.
5. Use all this info to refine your LinkedIn profile
By now, you have a clearer idea of:
✔️ Which companies align with your values
✔️ What skills and experience they look for
✔️ The best ways to position yourself to get noticed
6. Optimize your LinkedIn profile with these questions
Since recruiters mostly use LinkedIn Recruiter (which relies on keywords), make sure your profile is optimized. Ask yourself:
- Do my job titles match the ones used by companies I admire?
- Are those job titles and relevant keywords showing up in my profile (Headline, About, Experience, Skills, etc.)?
- Have I highlighted my key accomplishments with clear, measurable impact?
- Am I explaining my work in simple terms, avoiding company-specific jargon?
A well-crafted profile makes you easier to find. I’ve seen my LinkedIn Recruiter searches return anywhere from 5 to 300+ candidates, and trust me, you want to be at the top of that list. Unfortunately most people have incomplete profiles. But this is good for you, as when your profile would be complete to “all star” level, they’ll find you sooo much more easily.
7. Take small steps, don’t overwhelm yourself
Updating your LinkedIn in one go is too overwhelming, so break it into sprints. Start with:
- Past performance reviews (they’re full of useful data, leverage them)
- Project metrics (timelines, cost savings, team size, impact)
- Ask a friend or someone you know to check your profile. Choose someone outside your industry or who isn’t deeply familiar with your role. Because recruiters are often generalists. They’re not experts in your field, yet they are the first ones screening your profile. If they can’t quickly grasp what you do and what value you bring, they’ll move on to the next candidate.
Your profile needs to be clear, and jargon-free. If your friend struggles to understand your experience or impact, so will a recruiter. Simplifying complex concepts is a skill in itself, and a great way to showcase your communication abilities, something every employer values. The goal is to make your experience accessible and compelling to a broader audience.
By refining your profile in small steps and getting outside perspectives, you make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to see your value at a glance. And that’s how you stand out in a crowded job market.
What’s next?
Made it to the end? Thanks for reading and sharing! Reach out if I can help…I could talk about this for hours, but I’ll save more tips for next time.
About me
Hi, I’m Roberta! As a former senior recruiter for companies like Atlassian, TomTom, Booking.com, and Tony’s Chocolonely, I know what it takes to stand out in the job market. Now, as a certified career coach, I help ambitious expats land the right job and create a work-life balance they love. Let’s connect, I'm looking forward to share many more insider's tips with you!