Three real stories. One key lesson: Think beyond the job boards and recruiters.
Like many of you, I have had clients struggling with long job searches—talented, experienced professionals who are doing all the “right” things: applying to postings, reaching out to recruiters, and tailoring their résumés… yet still coming up short.
Let me share a few recent stories that illustrate where the magic often happens: through human connection, not just online applications. There is hope, and persistence pays off!
1 The Health & Wellness Clinic Hire
One of my clients had been job hunting for over a year, primarily relying on recruiters and job postings. At the same time, a neighbour of mine mentioned they had given up hiring for a management role in their wellness clinic—applications weren’t yielding the right candidates.
My client’s background aligned well with the role, so I made the connection. Within weeks, she received a job offer and was hired!
Takeaway: The employer had stopped looking, and the job was no longer posted. The connection only happened through a personal introduction.
2 From the Soccer Field to a Management Job!
Another individual I supported had worked in print management, but job openings in that sector were scarce. He happened to coach his daughter’s soccer team. One of the parents, also a recruiter, noticed his leadership and organisational skills. She referred him for a commercial property management role. He got the job.
Takeaway: You never know where the next opportunity will come from. We are always being noticed. Sometimes our next role is observing us in action—at the soccer field, in our volunteer work, or at community events.
3 The Power of Proximity
A third client, with telecom experience outside of Canada, was struggling to land interviews due to his international experience. I encouraged him to conduct informational interviews.
He reached out to a friend of a friend who worked at a company to which he had recently applied. That person happened to sit next to the hiring manager and advocated for him directly. This connection helped him stand out from the pile of résumés that the HR person had in front of them.
Takeaway: Informational interviews open doors. You never know who sits next to the decision maker.
4 The Power of Connections
- Talk to people: Friends, neighbours, relatives, ex-colleagues, and acquaintances. You never know who they know!
- Attend industry talks and events: Attending discussions on topics relevant to your industry provides you with up-to-date information and valuable connections with others who work in the same field. Consider volunteering at events; many associations welcome volunteers.
- Use LinkedIn intentionally: Not just to apply, but to reach out and ask for insights or connections. Share information or articles relevant to your industry. Respond to articles by individuals in your network-the more you use LinkedIn, the more you come up in searches.
- Leverage your hobbies: Volunteer work, coaching, community events—they show your soft skills. It is not healthy to be looking for work 24 hours a day; you need a balance. Sometimes, stepping away from the computer gives you a fresh perspective when you go back to looking.
- Do informational interviews: They’re not just about gathering info—they’re about building visibility. Informational interviews provide you with knowledge about what is happening in particular companies. They also help you become comfortable talking about your skills and what you can offer, so when an interview occurs, you understand your value and what would be of interest to employers.
Final Thought
Yes, apply online. Yes, connect with recruiters. But don’t stop there. The job you are seeking may not be posted. The person who can help might not be in your industry. Your job is to keep showing up—and letting people know you’re looking. You will get hired, it takes persistence, luck and timing! Good luck, you will find the path back to finding a job.
If you are currently in a job search, how have you leveraged your network? I’d love to hear your stories. Please add to the comment section and share some of the unusual ways you’ve found work.
About Dorothy Keenan-Career Advisor, Providing career assessments, résumé, cover letter and job search strategies
Moving your career forward is rewarding yet challenging. For the last 25 years, I have been helping individuals in a broad cross-section of the labour force navigate the sometimes rocky waters of finding fulfilling work. Whether you are a C-Suite Executive, mid-level career changer or recent graduate, I can help you create a winning résumé, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, and bio targeted to catch the attention of those hiring. Your résumé, built along with the right job search strategies, will get you in front of the right audience.