Why I Wouldn’t Start With Job Boards If I Were Returning to Work Today

The job market is the most challenging I’ve ever seen it.  I was laid off when COVID-19 first…I know what it’s like to apply for a job during a difficult market, and I think it’s far worse right now.

If I were returning to the workforce today, I wouldn’t start by applying to job boards.

That might sound strange, because for years the advice was simple: update your resume, go to Indeed or LinkedIn, and start clicking “apply.”  But the reality is, the job market has changed and no one really explains it to job seekers

What’s Changed in the Job Market (That No One Really Explains)

Last week, I was speaking with the co-founder of ISO Talent, and he shared something very concerning:

Companies aren’t just getting more applicants than they used to--they’re getting thousands more for the same roles. And a huge percentage of those applications aren’t even thoughtful or real. They’re coming from bots and automated tools that can apply to hundreds of jobs in minutes.

So when you apply through a job board today, you’re often not competing with a handful of qualified candidates. You’re competing with automation, bulk applications, and people who may never have read the job description. Hiring teams are overwhelmed, systems are flooded, and it’s incredibly easy for thoughtful, qualified candidates to be overlooked simply because of volume.

That’s why applying over and over and hearing nothing back can feel so discouraging. Not because you’re doing something wrong--but because the process itself isn’t designed for humans anymore.

Job Boards Still Matter--Just Not the Way We’ve Been Using Them

That doesn’t mean job boards are useless. They’re actually very helpful for research.

Job boards are a great way to see what roles are out there, what companies are hiring, and how different jobs are titled. They’re also useful for understanding what skills, tools, and experience companies are asking for right now. If you’re trying to figure out how your past experience translates—or what you might need to brush up on—they can be a valuable reference point.

But here’s where I’d change the approach.

Find the Job, Then Find the Person

Instead of finding a job and clicking “apply,” I’d find the job and then look for someone who already works at the company. Many companies offer referral bonuses to employees, which means they’re incentivized to recommend people they trust.

An introduction from someone inside the company gives your resume a story. It gives it context. It gives it a chance to be read by an actual person instead of filtered by software.

That’s a very different experience than submitting an application into a system and hoping it lands in the right place.

The Power of Informational Interviews

I’d also spend time having informational interviews. These aren’t actually job interviews. They are conversations where you aren’t asking for a job, not pitching yourself—just talking.

Asking people how they got where they are, what their company values, what skills matter most today. Those conversations often lead to insights you’d never find in a job posting, and sometimes they lead to opportunities before they’re ever posted publicly.

Why Job Fairs Still Work (Yes, Even Now)

There are two main types of job fairs today: in-person and virtual, and both have value.

In-person job fairs are especially powerful if you’re returning to work after time away. You get face time with recruiters and hiring managers, which gives you a chance to explain your background that a resume alone can’t provide. You can ask questions, explain career gaps naturally, and leave a stronger impression than any application ever could. Even if a company isn’t hiring for the exact role you want, those conversations often lead to referrals, follow-up emails, or being encouraged to apply directly with a name attached.

Virtual job fairs are more common now and easier to attend, especially if you’re balancing family responsibilities. They usually include live chat, video conversations, and scheduled sessions with recruiters. While they can feel less personal, they still allow you to bypass the typical application pile and speak to someone connected to the role. Many companies use virtual fairs to identify candidates they want to fast-track into interviews.

What Actually Moves the Needle in Today’s Job Market

Right now, the people who get traction aren’t the ones applying to the most jobs. They’re the ones who are clear about what they’re looking for, willing to have conversations, and open to building relationships along the way.

That’s actually encouraging for women returning to work, because those are skills many of us already use every day--we just haven’t thought of them as career skills.
 
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