“The career shortcut most job seekers still miss” came up in a conversation I had the other day…
“I feel like I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing, and it’s still not working.”
And I didn’t have a quick answer. Not right away. Because honestly, I’ve seen that exact situation play out more times than I can count lately. People putting in the time, checking every box, staying consistent… and still not getting where they want to go.
But here’s the thing… they’re not doing anything wrong. They’re just missing the one piece that actually speeds everything up.
It’s not applying more… it’s getting into the right rooms
Most job seekers are trying to win through effort.
More applications. More outreach. More time spent tweaking resumes. And I get it, it feels like forward motion. Like you’re doing something productive.
But here’s the truth… the people who move fastest in their careers aren’t the ones doing the most. They’re the ones getting into the right conversations.
That’s the shortcut.
And yeah, I know “networking” gets thrown around a lot, but that’s not really what I mean. Not the cold messages. Not the forced check-ins.
I mean actual conversations with people who are already where you want to be… or hiring for it.
I once worked with a candidate who was applying to everything under the sun. Not getting traction. Good background, solid experience, just… stuck.
We shifted one thing.
Instead of applying, I had him focus on talking to five people in his space. Just five. No ask, no pitch, just conversations.
Two weeks later, he had three interviews. From conversations that started with zero intention of hiring.
That one stuck with me.
The shortcut is having someone advocate for you… when you’re not in the room
This is the part people underestimate.
You can have a great resume. You can interview well. But if no one is talking about you when decisions are being made… you’re at a disadvantage.
Top candidates don’t just rely on being seen. They rely on being spoken for.
And sometimes that’s a manager. Sometimes it’s someone they used to work with. And a lot of times… it’s a recruiter.
I’ve seen candidates get interviews they weren’t technically qualified for, simply because someone credible said, “You should meet this person.”
That carries weight.
Way more than a resume ever will.
I still remember a hiring manager pushing back on a candidate I submitted once. Said he didn’t check every box.
I told him, “I get it… but just talk to him.”
He did.
That candidate ended up being one of his best hires that year.
That one stung a little too… because it reminded me how often good people get filtered out before anyone actually talks to them.
Most people wait too long to have real conversations
This is a pattern. And honestly, I used to miss it.
People wait until they’re actively job searching to start talking to recruiters or industry connections. When they need something.
But by then… you’re starting cold.
Top candidates don’t do that.
They stay in touch. Lightly. Consistently. Even when they’re not looking.
And it’s not complicated. It’s simple stuff:
- Checking in every few months
- Sharing what they’re working on
- Asking thoughtful questions about the market
- Being honest about where they want to go
Nothing forced. Nothing transactional.
I had someone who used to reach out maybe once a quarter. Quick updates. Nothing long. But I always knew what he was doing, what he was building, where he was heading.
So when the right role came up… I didn’t have to think.
He was already top of mind.
That’s the shortcut most people miss. It’s built over time, not when you need it.
They don’t try to prove everything… they focus on what matters
This one’s a little harder to explain, but you can feel it when it’s missing.
Most job seekers try to show everything. Every responsibility. Every task. Every detail.
Top candidates? They focus.
They know what actually matters for the role they want… and they lean into that.
I once had a candidate send me a resume that was three pages long. Packed with information. And honestly… it was overwhelming.
We stripped it down. Focused it. Cut out half of it.
He pushed back at first. Said it felt like we were removing value.
But here’s the thing… clarity creates value. Not volume.
When he started interviewing, the conversations changed. More direct. More aligned. Less explaining.
That’s when things started moving.
And yeah… it’s uncomfortable sometimes
There’s no way around this part.
The shortcut isn’t easier… it’s just more effective.
Talking to people when you don’t have a clear ask feels weird at first. Following up without a reason feels awkward. Putting yourself in rooms where you’re not 100 percent confident… yeah, that can mess with you a bit.
I had a candidate tell me once, “I don’t want to bother people.”
I get that. I really do.
But the people who move faster in their careers… they get comfortable with a little discomfort.
Not pushy. Not aggressive.
Just willing to show up before they feel completely ready.
That’s usually the difference.
One thing I wish more people understood
You don’t need more effort.
You need better access.
Access to the right conversations. The right people. The right opportunities before they hit the open market.
And most of that doesn’t come from applying.
It comes from being known.
I guess the way I see it now… the biggest career shortcut isn’t a hack or a trick. It’s just getting closer to the people who can change your trajectory, and staying there long enough that when something opens up… your name comes up naturally. Not forced. Not random. Just… expected.
