Step 06: LAUNCH
Now that you’ve tested your story and targets with your personal network, its time to go big and LAUNCH your search with structure and precision. Here’s how.
Rule #1 as you LAUNCH: Stop spraying and praying
The application process is broken. Expecting an online application to bear fruit is slightly north of hopeless.
Here's the truth: Blasting your resume into the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) void is like throwing digital confetti into a hurricane. The market reality:
75% of jobs are never posted
85% of jobs are filled through networks
100% of "spray and pray" approaches fail
This means that the odds of getting a response - beyond the autogenerated email confirming your application - when you apply to a job online are miniscule.
To beat the bots, you’ll need to go a different way:
Create a target list of people that you reach out to each week - your “Warm Network” of Superconnectors, friends, family
Don’t be afraid to reactivate your “Cold Network” - dormant ties that you haven’t spoken with in a long time
Have a clear ask (outlined below)
Make every coffee chat count
Get active on social media - LinkedIn especially - by creating content that shows your expertise & thinking and commenting on other’s posts.
Follow parallel paths - reach out directly decision makers in your target companies, attend events,
Selective job applications - apply online but find another way into the company and to the hiring managers
Don’ts:
Don’t send a resume without it being customized - edited to match the opportunity
Don’t just apply online without a plan to get into the company via your warm & cold networks
Don’t have a meeting without a clear ask
Don’t just ask without being ready to offer value in return
As you create your daily / weekly routine, here’s a daily formula I’ve recommended to many:
Reach out to 3-5 people in your warm & cold networks.
Schedule at least 2 strategic conversations
Have 1 bold ask of each conversation.
Remember: The market rewards precision. Your job search should look like a special ops mission, not a carpet bombing.
Stop hoping. Start hunting. What's your first target?
Your Playbook:
Map your targets
Activate your network
Deploy your content
Execute with precision every day & week