#69: How People Are Landing Jobs Right Now
5 real-life stories of real people landing real jobs.
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How People Are Landing Jobs Right Now
Today’s newsletter is the result of your voting to resurrect something from my idea graveyard. And I’m sure glad you did because this topic is absolutely uplifting. Throughout my Laid Off Life journey, there have been moments where getting a job—or even just finding work—felt like climbing an unclimbable mountain. (Yes, I really did pay an Etsy witch to cast a dream job spell for me.)
When you're stuck in the swamp of "it's impossible," it can feel both paralyzing and soul-crushing. But the cure for small, limiting thoughts is big, expansive ones. The question is, how do you coax your mind to go big when the walls feel like they're closing in?
You do it by gathering hard evidence that obliterates the "impossible" narrative. For those of us hitting a brick wall right now—whether it’s job searching, solopreneuring, or pivoting—I’ve crowd-sourced 5 real-life stories of real people landing real jobs. Let these hiring stories be your proof, your spark, and your fuel to think bigger and push onward. (Note: I’ve edited these responses for clarity and anonymized them.)
1. A cold application that heated up.
I landed my job by cold applying on LinkedIn, for real. The hiring journey lasted 3 months in total and included two interviews, a test, and a detailed presentation. A key resource that made a difference? The New York Public Library Career Services, who provided invaluable interview and negotiation tips—all for free and available remotely! Who knew?
2. Surviving ‘til ‘25 might just be a real thing.
Over the past five years, I've applied to at least 80 jobs on LinkedIn, using "easy apply" and often following up directly on company websites. Despite my efforts, I’ve only landed four interviews—two for roles that turned out to be too junior, one which I declined, and another where a high salary ask likely cost me the role. Frustrated by the low ROI, I’ve vowed to stop applying to LinkedIn postings, suspecting many exist purely to drive platform engagement. Despite my skepticism, LinkedIn remains a necessary self-advertising tool, though its predatory elements are hard to ignore. Interestingly, after a slow end to 2024, things are looking up: I’ve secured a gig through networking and have been in the running for several other projects. I’m hearing the same from others in my network. Maybe there’s truth to the phrase “Survive till ’25”?
3. Fractional leadership turned full-time.
I started out consulting for a company as a “fractional leader” stepping in to help with specific projects and challenges. One day, they asked me to put together a proposal outlining how I could help them grow. I took the opportunity seriously, rolling up my sleeves and crafting a detailed plan that showed exactly how my skills and strategies could make an impact. By the time we finished discussing the proposal, it wasn’t just ideas on the table—it was a full-time job offer.
This experience reinforced an important lesson: when you show a company not just what you can do, but how you can actively contribute to their success, you’re no longer just a consultant or a candidate—you’re a solution they want to keep around. Sometimes, proving your value opens doors you didn’t even know were there.
4. They finally converted me!
I’m thrilled to share that after nearly a year as a full-time contract worker, I’ve officially been converted to a full-time employee! The process wasn’t without its challenges—the company had to post the position and interview other candidates before extending the offer, which made for some nerve-wracking moments. But when the offer finally came through, I felt a wave of relief and excitement. It’s been a journey, and I’m grateful that I get to keep doing my job (That’s not a sentence I ever thought I’d write.)
5. Working in a niche industry helped streamline things.
After getting laid off from my previous role, I dove headfirst into the job search, sticking to the basics: networking meetings with contacts that eventually turned into interviews. It wasn’t the easiest process, but working in a niche industry helped streamline things a bit—fewer options, sure, but also less competition for the right fit. About six months later, I found a new job, and honestly? The new role feels like a much better match, and I’m genuinely happier here.
Did you recently land a job? Share your “getting hired” story in the comments below or send me a message and I’ll include your story in a future newsletter.
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