A job search is part art and part science. Most people are familiar with the science side, which involves systematic and data-driven aspects like researching employers, optimizing LinkedIn profiles for searchability, and ensuring the ATS can read your resume information.

Yet the art part of a job search is equally important and often overlooked.

Yesterday, did you ever stare at your computer screen and wonder, "Is this all there is?"

If you did (or if not yesterday, in the recent past), you can join millions of people worldwide who were thinking the same thing.

Yet how many people do something about it?

Many job seekers fall into the trap of a transactional approach, expecting recruiters to act as personal career counselors.

The About section on LinkedIn is an area to tell your unique story….to make you stand out from the crowd.

However, few people take advantage of those 2,600 characters to let the reader know why they do what they do and how they make an impact.

When you add a new connection, you are likelier to see posts from that connection. If you like the content, engage with it. It tells the algorithm to continue showing it from this creator.

Understanding how employers find candidates isn't just a piece of the job search puzzle; it should be a crucial part of your strategy. Time is a valuable resource; it is crucial to be smart about where and how you invest it.

Yes, the employer wants to know you work well with others. In especially collaborative environments, this will be a critical skill.

Yet, some of you spend too much precious real estate on your resumes on what “we” did and not what you did as part of the “we.”

Remember, the employer is hiring you for your value to them. They are not hiring your team. Therefore, you need to balance showing your collaboration skills with your individual results.

When I submitted the resume with a typo, I had difficulty letting it go. I was so mad at myself for this mistake.

Pay attention to what is written in a job posting. There are many clues in the words chosen in the job posting that can tell you much about the expectations for the role and the type of work environment you may encounter.