A job search strategy for when applying everywhere isn't working

Research the market before you apply

Look at ten adverts for the role you want and note what appears again and again. Those repeated requirements are the language of your target market, and your CV and LinkedIn profile should echo them honestly.

Research also tells you which employers are hiring, what they say they value and who works there.

Use LinkedIn like a professional

Your profile is often read before your CV. Treat it as a landing page for the role you want:

• A headline that says what you do and for whom, not just your current job title.
• An About section written in plain English that covers what you are known for.
• Experience entries that match the story on your CV.
• A clear photo and a few skills that the roles you want actually ask for.

Build a network without being awkward

Networking is not asking strangers for a job. It is asking people for their view. Ask someone doing the role how they got there and what they would do in your position. Most people are glad to share.

Aim for a handful of genuine conversations a week. Follow up with a thank-you and, later, an update on what you did with their advice.

Look beyond the job boards

Many roles are filled through recruiters, referrals and direct approaches. Make yourself easy to find, tell people in your network what you are looking for, and register with recruiters who work in your field.

Track what you do

Keep a simple tracker of applications, contacts and follow-ups. It stops good leads going cold and shows you which approaches are producing replies, so you can do more of what works.