Not me calling you lazy!
It’s been almost two weeks since I hosted my first-ever masterclass, and we had a time!
I woke up that morning unsure of what to expect, with imposter syndrome humming in the background.
But the energy in the room was real. The participants were engaged, generous, and built off each other in the best way. In fact, many of us stayed an extra 30 minutes swapping tips and tricks long after the masterclass officially ended.
Now that is what I call building in community!
The very next morning, I had a “no-fluff” conversation with a group of Genentech alumnae, and someone asked a question that comes up on repeat:
“How can I get more people to look out for me?”
Since this is what nearly every job seeker wants to know, here’s my honest take:
Expecting your network to connect you to a new role is, well, just a bit lazy. We never want other people to be doing the hard part for us.
Our job is to know where we want to go next, to be able to articulate it clearly, and to share it with confidence. That means having an elevator pitch that’s quick and tight—something people can grasp in the time it takes to ride up a few floors.
Because when people hear about opportunities, they can only keep us top of mind if they know exactly what we’re looking for. And that only works when we know exactly what we want.
Before you ask your network to look out for you, do these three things first:
☝🏽 Get crystal clear on your next move
Not five possibilities. Not a vague direction. One clear target. Role, scope, and environment. If you can’t name it, other people can’t spot it for you.
✌🏽 Write a 1–2 sentence elevator pitch
Imagine someone stepping into an elevator with you—and getting off on the next floor. Could they walk away knowing exactly what you’re looking for? If not, it’s not tight enough yet.
👌🏽 Practice saying it out loud
If it only works on paper, it doesn’t work. Say it until it feels natural, confident, and yours. Most importantly: not rehearsed or apologetic.
When you do this work upfront, you make it easy for the right people to think of you when the right opportunities cross their path.
That’s how your network becomes a real asset—not just a nice-to-have.
tl;dr: The real work is nailing down your strategy and thinking deliberately about what’s next, so you can make it easy for others to help you. When your network understands your direction, they’re far more likely to share roles, ideas, or introductions you wouldn’t have found on your own.
Because you, My Dear, are anything but complacent.
Join the LinkedIn Convo
I was reminded recently that the best titles don’t come with a promotion. What’s yours?
If you’re job searching in this market, check these stats and start tightening your messaging, pronto.
Still lazily refreshing your inbox, hoping a recruiter magically responds? Close that tab and get to work on these instead.
At the end of Beyond ‘Easy Apply,’ I announced the launch of my new signature digital course: Own Your Search!
A labor of love more than two years in the making, Own Your Search is a four-module program that guides you through every stage of the job search—from refreshing your résumé to signing your next offer.
Inside Own Your Search, you’ll learn how to:
Set yourself apart from the competition from Day One
Build a strategic toolkit that moves decision-makers to action
Communicate your value with clarity and focus
Create an ecosystem of growth, community, and long-term career alignment
Each training is designed to help you move faster and with more confidence—often landing roles up to 30% sooner than those navigating the search alone.
In fact, Millie was out of work for over a year when she decided to invest in herself. After joining Own Your Search, things shifted, and she landed a role a month after our work together.
Own Your Search was built for people who are:
Tired of spinning their wheels and second-guessing what’s next
No longer satisfied with “just getting by” at work
Ready to release scarcity and lead with confidence
Looking to step boldly into a more aligned, intentional career
This isn’t a quick fix or a generic one-size-fits-all solution.
It’s a step-by-step path that weaves your story, values, and goals into every part of your job search, so the roles you pursue (and land) actually fit who you are.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start moving forward with clarity, Own Your Search was built for you.
It turns out, you’re not alone in trying to figure out this job search/next career move thing, and you don’t have to navigate this next chapter solo.
If you ever want to talk through what the best investment is for you, my inbox and office hours are always open.
