Why Your Job Search Isn’t Working (and How to Fix It)

If you’ve ever found yourself applying to hundreds of jobs and hearing nothing back, you’re not alone. The job market is tough right now. But the biggest problem isn’t the market. It’s your strategy.

Most people don’t have a job search strategy. They have a panic plan. They scroll job boards late at night. They tweak their resume over and over. They apply to every job that seems remotely close. And then they sit back, waiting for something--anything--to happen.

Here’s the reality: applying to 1,000 jobs isn’t a strategy. It’s survival mode. You don’t need to do more. You need to do it differently. 

Step One: Know What You Want

This sounds simple, but it’s where most people get stuck. Ask yourself: What kind of work lights you up? What are you naturally good at that others struggle with? What does “a great day at work” look like for you?

Most job seekers skip this step. They think being flexible means being open to anything. But when you don’t know what you want, you can’t communicate it clearly--and if you don’t know, a hiring manager definitely won’t.

Clarity is magnetic. Confusion repels.

If you’re struggling to define what you want, consider investing in a career coach or mentor who can help you find it.  

Step Two: Understand What the Market Needs

Once you’re clear on what you want, look at where your strengths intersect with demand. What are companies really struggling with right now? What problems do your skills solve?

This isn’t about chasing trends--it’s about connecting your story to the needs of today. But here’s the trap: most people start and stop here. They obsess over job descriptions, keywords, and titles. They shape-shift to fit every posting they see. That’s not strategy. That’s guessing.

When you focus only on what the market wants, you lose sight of what makes you stand out. You are not the demand. You are the supply. And the supply has value--when it’s positioned with confidence.

Step Three: Build Relationships

It’s tempting to think that submitting online applications is “doing the work.” But that’s just one small piece of it.

The real work happens in the conversations that lead to opportunity. Reach out to former colleagues, friends, and others you know. Send a genuine message to someone in your dream company. Attend events, webinars, or alumni gatherings. Comment thoughtfully on posts from leaders in your industry.

You don’t have to “network.” You just have to connect. People hire people they trust--and trust is built through conversations, not applications.

Step Four: Rethink What Success Looks Like

If you’re measuring success by “interviews landed,” you’ll burn out fast. Instead, measure it by momentum: conversations started, people reconnected with, skills clarified, and confidence rebuilt. Every small step compounds.

The job search isn’t about luck--it’s about alignment. And alignment happens when you stop chasing every opportunity and start preparing for your opportunity.

The Elavare Challenge

This week, don’t stop putting in the work—just start putting it in the right places. Pause the endless applying. Instead, get intentional.

Write down exactly what you want in your next role.
Reach out to three people who could open a door--or give you honest feedback. Spend one hour reflecting on what you’ve learned about yourself through your career (and life) so far.

That’s still the work. It’s just smarter work.
Because clarity and connection move your search forward faster than any application ever will.

Read additional blog posts here.