Most job seekers don't fully understand how hiring works

You may have noticed a fresh look and feel to this newsletter. That’s because we’re making a shift. Since its inception over 5 years ago, this newsletter evolved from a quick update about our latest episode of The Job Hunting Podcast. I hope you'll agree that it has become a powerful resource packed with insights that can help you take control of your job search and career growth. In 2025, I want to take it a step forward: I want this newsletter to be something you look forward to in your inbox each week, that you may want to save and come back to in the future, and that it adds value to your professional journey.

But don't worry: I have kept the "Time Out" feature many subscribers love. I will always be the one writing this newsletter because it is one of the best parts of my week and my job as a career coach. 

Another great part of my job is sitting down with brilliant minds on The Job Hunting Podcast, and having conversations to help you land your next role, and future-proof your career. This week’s conversation with Dr. Kyle Elliott was one of those thought-provoking discussions that I know you’ll love. Kyle is a career coach based in California who works mainly with tech and IT professionals, and has great expertise in diversity and inclusion. With a PhD in Education and Leadership, and over 200,000 followers on LinkedIn, he was an amazing guest and a pleasure to talk to.

In this edition, I’ll break down the three biggest takeaways from our conversation and provide practical steps you can apply today to accelerate your career growth. Let’s dive in!

AI in Hiring: The Silent Gatekeeper (And How to Beat It)

Recruiters are no longer the first line of defense in hiring—Artificial Intelligence is. If you’re applying online, chances are, your resume is being scanned by an algorithm before a human ever sees it. But here’s what most professionals don’t realize:

• 60% of hires happen through LinkedIn searches, not applications. If your profile isn’t optimized, you’re invisible to recruiters.
• Some companies now expect job seekers to use AI tools. Hiring managers are asking: “Did you use AI to refine your application?” If the answer is no, they may assume you’re behind the curve.
• AI is great, but it’s not everything. If you’re relying solely on AI-generated resumes and cover letters, you risk sounding like everyone else. The key? Use AI to enhance, not replace, your unique voice.

Take Action:

• Ask yourself: If a recruiter searched for my expertise today, would they find me? If not, you have homework to do.
• You've got to have an excellent LinkedIn profile and activity if you're looking for work now or in the future. Optimize your LinkedIn headline and summary with the right keywords to show up in recruiter searches.
• Experiment with AI tools to refine your resume, but always personalize it before submitting.

Storytelling: Your Secret Weapon in Interviews

Let’s be real: hiring managers interview multiple candidates for the same role. Most of them will talk about responsibilities, skills, and experience in the same dry way. If you want to stand out, you need to tell better stories.

Dr. Kyle Elliott and I discussed why storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to make a lasting impression in interviews. Here’s how to do it right:

• Use the STAR-T method: Situation, Task, Action, Result… and then Tie it back to why it matters to the employer.
• Ask friends or former colleagues what they remember about your career. The most memorable stories are the ones that stick.
• Make it human. Companies don’t just hire skills, they hire impact. Show how you solved problems, influenced change, or overcame challenges.

Take Action:

• Write down three key moments in your career where you made a big impact.
• Practice telling them naturally—without sounding rehearsed.
• In your next interview, swap out generic answers for a compelling story.
• If you feel the action steps above are too hard, and you're overwhelmed by them, invest in working with a coach. 

Networking: The 80% Job Search Strategy That Works

Most job seekers still believe submitting more applications increases their chances of getting hired. If you watched episode 279, you know that this is not true at all. In reality, 80% of successful hires happen through networking. 

So if you’re spending 90% of your time applying online and only 10% building relationships, you’re playing the job search game backwards.

How to Network Smarter:

• Follow thought leaders in your industry and comment on their posts.
• Reach out to past colleagues and managers—your next job might be with someone you already know.
• If you find a dream job online, don’t just apply—find someone at that company and ask for insights.

Take Action:

• Make a list of 10 people in your industry you respect.
• Send each of them a short, genuine LinkedIn message this week.
• If you do this consistently, opportunities will start finding you.
• If you're contacting your network and hearing nothing back, it may be worth examining this with a career coach to identify and correct how you approach them and regain their trust. 

Listen to This Week’s Episode

This newsletter barely scratches what Kyle and I discussed. We also talked about navigating industry, diversity and inclusion, standing out in competitive markets, and the importance of understanding how hiring works to succeed in your job search: 

• Listen to the full episode on the podcast website
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Audible

Time Out

I took 10 days of holiday to spend time with family members who were visiting from overseas. It was so good not to worry about work for so many days. I came back with many ideas I cannot wait to share with you. All in good time!

• I have been listening to Radiohead lately, especially "How to Disappear Completely." It's a more sophisticated, more beautiful ballad than "Creep," but it has the same underlying emotional turmoil.
• Watched Conclave, and it blew my mind. Talk about a plot twist. The cinematography was excellent. How good is Ralph Fiennes! I could go on and on. 
• Watched Running Point Season 1 on the plane on my way back from Cairns. Short episodes, funny, Kate Hudson is great, the script is great. Easy watch for a relaxing evening. 

If this newsletter helped you:

• Please help me raise awareness for the newsletter. You can forward it to other professionals who may benefit from it. I will be forever grateful to you.
• Check my website to learn more about career coaching - there are services and courses to help you achieve your career goals.

To your career success

RBX

Renata Bernarde | Career Coach | Host, The Job Hunting Podcast