Step 06: LAUNCH / Your Playbook
In this Step, we focused on LAUNCHING your search. The big shift is to stop treating your job search like a part-time hobby - and make finding your next role your full-time job. This isn't about sending resumes into the digital void – it's about running a strategic campaign that creates your next opportunity.
The key steps in your Playbook:
Start with the mindset reset: Keep crushing your current role, but recognize that finding your next move is now your real full-time job. Success isn't measured in applications submitted, but in quality conversations created and relationships built. Your daily mission is creating momentum through intentional action.
Next, activate your network with precision. Share your search intentions clearly and specifically. Make it dead simple for people to help you by telling them exactly what you need. Most crucially, close every feedback loop – nothing kills network momentum faster than leaving people hanging after they help.
Transform your LinkedIn presence from a digital resume into a magnetic platform. Engage strategically, not randomly. Create value instead of just consuming it. Build momentum through consistent, thoughtful engagement. Show up as a thought leader in your space. Comment meaningfully on target company content. Your profile should work for you 24/7.
Master the hidden job market – where 75% of roles live and die without ever seeing a job board. Target companies, not postings. Build relationships before you need them. Focus on problems you can solve, not jobs you can fill. Your goal is to create opportunities, not just find them.
Turn informational meetings into opportunity engines. Research obsessively before every conversation. Come armed with specific, thoughtful questions that demonstrate your preparation and insight. Focus on gaining intelligence, not asking for jobs. Follow up with genuine value. Turn every meeting into three more by always asking "who else should I talk to?"
Your daily routine matters: Start each morning with a power hour – review target company news, engage with key content, plan your outreach. Make 3-5 meaningful connections daily. Share valuable insights. Follow up on previous conversations. Create content that demonstrates your expertise. Prepare thoroughly for every meeting. End each day by documenting key learnings and planning tomorrow's actions.
Remember: Every conversation is an opportunity. Every connection can open doors. Every post builds your brand. Every meeting seeds future opportunities. This isn't random activity – it's a strategic campaign to position yourself for the right next move.
The formula for momentum is simple but demanding: Clear targets, daily actions, consistent follow-up, value creation, and relationship building. This isn't a sprint or even a marathon – it's a strategic campaign that requires sustained, intelligent effort.
Your next role isn't sitting on a job board right now. It's in someone's head as a problem they need to solve or an opportunity they're starting to see. Your job is to be there, top of mind and ready, when that thought becomes reality.
Time to move.