Episode 74: Effective Job Search Strategies in a Tough Market with Melissa Grabiner

Recruiting is No Joke

Have you ever felt like searching for a job has become a full-time job in itself? With today's job market growing increasingly complex and brutal, it seems like every step toward securing employment is met with yet another hurdle. So, how do you navigate this treacherous terrain? And as an employer, how can you leverage platforms like LinkedIn to find the talent that stands out in this crowded field?

Today on "Recruiting is No Joke," we have the pleasure of speaking with Melissa Grabiner, a leading LinkedIn authority and talent acquisition expert. Melissa joins us to delve into the current job market and the hurdles job seekers are navigating today.

We explore the tough realities facing job seekers, including a notable TikTok video that highlighted the experience of one candidate who faced 1,623 rejections. Melissa offers her expertise on crafting a compelling resume and LinkedIn profile, the importance of proactive job searching, and the impact of authenticity in content creation.

We discuss the critical need for persistence, effective communication, and strategies for standing out in a crowded job market. Melissa challenges the misconception that using an "Open to Work" banner on LinkedIn makes candidates seem desperate, advocating instead that transparency about job searching is a strength.

Despite the current challenges, Melissa remains hopeful that the job market will eventually tilt back in favor of candidates. She encourages job seekers to stay resilient and proactive, emphasizing that leveraging networks and taking initiative are essential for navigating these turbulent times.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and strategies for your job search. And don’t forget to subscribe to "Recruiting is No Joke" for more expert advice and career tips.

In this episode:

• (01:19) Introduction to Melissa Grabiner
• (02:46) Melissa's motivation for creating content on LinkedIn
• (05:49) The importance of authenticity
• (06:47) Monetizing content on LinkedIn
• (08:37) Building an audience takes time
• (10:51) Balancing multiple responsibilities
• (12:03) Melissa’s business helping job seekers with resumes and LinkedIn optimization.
• (12:58) The challenges of content creation
• (15:08) Job market challenges
• (15:25) Reactions to a job seekers' story
• (17:40) Melissa's thoughts on job seekers' struggles
• (17:52) Importance of a strong resume and LinkedIn profile
• (18:47) Differentiating yourself in job applications
• (19:41) The value of follow-up messages
• (21:05) Proactive job searching
• (22:23) Shifts in job market dynamics
• (23:19) Candidate experience and ghosting
• (24:20) Candidate experience insights from UPS
• (25:18) Job searching vs. dating analogy
• (26:19) LinkedIn open to work banner controversy
• (27:30) The reality of job searching
• (30:11) The importance of proactive networking
• (31:03) Job market trends and future outlook
• (32:40) Historical context of job market changes
• (34:29) The need for continued effort in job searching
• (35:25) LinkedIn support services
• (36:02) Finding the right help
• (36:29) Patience in networking
• (37:13) Local opportunities
• (37:47) Closing remarks

About Joel Lalgee

Joel Lalgee is an internationally known recruitment leader and coach who has helped thousands of recruiters build their brands online. In 2015, Joel started recruiting for a small start-up agency in Milwaukee. He quickly found his passion for recruitment. In 2019, he discovered content marketing, publishing his first posts on Linkedin. Since then, he has grown to over 400k followers, and his content has been seen over 1 billion times. In 2023, he started a business specializing in coaching recruiters, marketing consulting, and influencer partnerships.

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About Our Guest

Melissa Grabiner is a distinguished HR and Talent Acquisition professional with over 30 years of experience, renowned for her expertise and thought leadership. As a 2X LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search Strategies and Recruiting, she commands a following of over 352,000 and has achieved 2.1 million engagements and 194 million impressions on her posts in the past year. Melissa is ranked as the #2 Female LinkedIn Creator worldwide and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Market Watch, and Times Square Billboard. She has created a strategic Talent Acquisition Function for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, managed 22 Talent Advisors with 0% attrition, and overseen hiring for 25,000+ employees. Her expertise spans global expansions, divestitures, and reorganizations.