Hey everyone! Just wrapped up an amazing chat with Melissa Grabiner about something we all care about: how to get a better job. We talked about strategies to implement during the job search of course, but also before. We hope this will help some of you as listeners, but also your friends, family. Even if you’re not looking for a job right now, and if you probably know everything about recruiting (as you should if you’re interested in this podcast), we’re confident you’ll learn a few nuggets. Melissa is a pro when it comes to job-seeking advice, and she’s built an audience on that topic of an impressive 266,000 followers on LinkedIn. That's 10X myself! She's been in talent acquisition and HR for 14 years, and she has more recently taken LinkedIn to share tips for job seekers. There's a lot of BS advice on job search out there - Melissa is legit. Seriously, this episode's a keeper. Here's the summary on what we dived into: 1/ Melissa's Backstory Melissa's been in the HR and talent game for years, making big moves and helping companies hire by the thousands. She's seen it all, from big pharma to biotech startups. And now, she's using her voice to help job seekers navigate the tricky waters of finding work, especially in a tough market like 2024. 2/ Job Hunting Like a Pro We talked about everything from making sure your LinkedIn and resume are spot-on to navigating the often confusing advice out there. Melissa shared her top strategies for not just finding any job, but landing one that really fits what you're looking for. We also discussed how the best time to prepare is BEFORE actually looking for a job. 3/ Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile First impressions count, especially online. Melissa walked us through how to make your LinkedIn profile pop, from a professional photo to crafting a headline that tells a story beyond just your job title. 4/ Networking That Works Melissa stressed the importance of networking, not just as a way to find opportunities but as a two-way street. It's about building relationships, giving as much as you take, and leveraging those connections for mutual benefit. I really liked that part and this reminded me of a book that I often quote (Give and Take by Adam Grant). 5/ Working With Recruiters and Agencies Recruiters can be a big help, but of course, they're working for the companies, not for you. Melissa gave us a few tips on how to make these relationships work to your advantage, and how to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Wherever you are, we’re sending you good vibes and strength for your job search, and really hope that this discussion will be helpful! What do you think? Just hit reply and let's get the conversation going! Wishing you a week full of opportunities, – Robin Choy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themodernrecruiter.substack.com