Many of us have felt desperation at our feet at one time or another in our adult careers. Whether we needed a job yesterday or wanted to accomplish a goal before a certain age, we’ve been there. We took a bold measure or two because, in our mind, choices were dwindling, and fear had set in.

I felt the pressure once when I was fired, and bad luck was piling on because I was laid off. I was desperate enough to call the company that laid me off (the same day I was fired) to let him know I was available for any work.

6 Bold Job Hunt Strategies to Try

They told me to come in the next day because someone had just quit. I was out of work for three hours.

Everyone knows private school is expensive. I was grateful beyond measure. It was bold, yet it paid off.

I wrote an article for Payscale several years ago that still applies to today’s job search.

Here are my points summarized but updated:

Connect and forge other connections and conversations

When people rushed to LinkedIn at the beginning of February, people were on the verge of a career crash. The world was on the brink of a health and professional crisis. Many, however, embraced their networks and created community and career-altering conversations. It’s still happening. Great networking breeds great networking, and you dictate its quality. 

Have an entry and exit strategy for jobs 

Professionals embrace job, and career changes more now than ever, but few are strategic about quitting. It’s wise to consider your standards for exiting to benefit your career choices for the long term. Entrepreneurs have exit strategies for their businesses, and you should do so for future jobs. You’re planning and constant career engagement will keep steady streams of opportunities more often than not.

The Audacious Follow Up Call After Your Interview

Social proof matters

In the article, I said, “Since your competition is global, you need to impress employers more quickly. Your competitors are posting their training trips, Toastmasters speeches, and writing clips to showcase their expertise. Declining to demonstrate value through social proof diminishes your career story. It’s also a missed opportunity to show your network why they should refer you.” More importantly, credibility matters to your network, employers, and recruiters. Social proof makes viewing your online presence as a quality connection easy.

Get salary intel from your network.

Since 2018, there has been a growing number of cities and states in the U.S. mandating salary transparency from employers. In July 2022, Indeed.com, a job board and employment site stated they would only post positions with salaries posted. We can only hope other job boards will follow and more states with salary transparency laws. Social networks provide opportunities to ask people we know about their knowledge of salary and negotiation. The news is an excellent prompt to start and continue discussions to help make informed career decisions.

If you’re currently conducting a job search for the first time in years, passive efforts have little value and only elongate navigating a tough job market. However, there’s much value in taking bold steps like meeting decision-makers and asking your network to help you discover vital information about employers and salary information.