Let’s be real for a second. Trying to level up in your career into a role or salary range you’ve never been in can feel overwhelming, and at times, nearly impossible. That’s especially true today when all you see across LinkedIn and the news is ‘more layoffs’ or people screaming how they haven’t been able to find a job for 12+ months.
When you see so many others being impacted or “losing”, it can trick you into playing it safe and not going for the thing you’ve earned the right to step into next.
Whether that’s your first VP title, or your first $500k+ offer. I know this to be true
because practically everyone that we work with (at one point or another) experiences the same doubts and frustrations themselves. Instead of going for it, they’ll say something like “I’ll be happy if I just land a $150k+ position”… even though they were making $180k in their last role.
But all of the news they’ve read about layoffs, and all of their lack of results has them feeling like they should settle. I can sympathize with their feelings, but I just can’t empathize with them any longer. I don’t mean to sound like a jerk, but the reason I can’t empathize with them is because I know first-hand that you can achieve what you want. Seeing the results our clients are finding in today’s market, settling is not the answer.
Case and point: Last week, we had someone land a $500k+ role:
This was the first time he had seen this much money (or at least been offered this much money). His last job paid him $120,000 and it did not include any bonus or equity. Prior to working with us, he had also been out of work for 9 months. Can you imagine what he was going through?
For 9 months straight he was applying, not hearing back, would barely get an interview, and even when he did — he would bomb it… not because he was dumb, but because he was rusty. When I first spoke to him he said what so many job-seekers today are saying: “I just want a job. At this point, I’d be happy even with an $85,000 job.”
$85,000?? After making $120,000?? That’s bananas.
I told him that we’re not going to let him do that. I bullied him into believing (or trying to believe anyways) that he will make at least $180,000. I knew that because I’ve seen others with his background in this market, making the same or higher. But, after we did the Career Audit, it was obvious he was going to make more.
His Holy Sh*t Moment #1: There’s no possible way, but what do I have to lose at this point.
So we got to work. After we completed his Career Audit, then rewrote his resume and LinkedIn profile, we mapped out his outreach process. This is where we showed him how to land interviews without spending countless hours applying. We showed him exactly:
– How to find open positions that are not posted
– Who to reach out to + how to find them
– What to say to them using our scripts
Within 2.5 months, he had landed 5 interviews. That’s 5 more than he had landed in the past 9 months of doing it on his own.
His Holy Sh*t Moment #2: Uhm.. okay… maybe this sh*t does work.
Then we did what we always do. We rolled up our sleeves and helped him prepare for his interviews.
We got clear on who he was meeting with, mapped out what was important to that person, crafted each of his stories he was going to tell, and then we had him say it to us over-and-over-and-over again — until they finally felt Clear, Concise, and Confident.
And then last week, he got the word that he was going to be offered the position he had dreamed about! He didn’t even need to negotiate because the leadership team + the CEO gave him not “just” what he wanted, but what he was qualified to get all along.
Enter His Holy Sh*t Moment #3: I actually did have it in me to do it all along, and am very glad that I didn’t settle.
You want to know what’s interesting? 99% of the clients that we work with go through these 3 Holy Sh*t moments, too.
If you’re going through a tough job search now and you’re also considering settling for something less, just know that it’s not natural to feel that way.
But more importantly, please believe that you don’t have to settle. Not by any means.
What’s required to turn it around? Not hope and a prayer.. but systems. A proven system that brings predictable results. Why systems? Because if/when they are proven, they can help you eliminate doubt, gain clarity, and move your search in a direction that allows you to achieve your desired result faster. We’ve seen it 800+ times over again, and I can’t unsee it anymore.
If you want to learn more about the systems we used to help him achieve his offer, you can watch this video I put together.
If and when you’re ready, we can help you implement these systems into your search so that you get it right the first time. When you’re ready to leverage your experience
and step into a $200k – $500k+ role working for a company you admire, doing what you enjoy, use this link to apply for our 1-on-1 Concierge Coaching Program.
Our First Ever Live Interview Prep w/ a Job-Seeker Was a Hit!
Before I forget and in case you missed it: Last week, we did a Live Interview Prep with an Actual Job-Seeker. Yes, this brave human prepped with me and Katie in front of 199 live viewers. Not only that, she did it while she was on a cruise with her family.. then on top of that, she absolutely crushed it! She got so much love from everyone who joined.
Honestly, it was special to witness.
No worries if you missed it, you can catch the replay here
Next LinkedIn Live: Conducting a Career Audit w/ a Job-Seeker
After last week’s LinkedIn live, Katie and I received a few hundred messages to keep this going, so we naturally agreed.
We decided that it would be fun to coach a new job-seeker each week on one specific aspect of our system that we teach to our clients; so this upcoming LinkedIn Live we will conduct a Career Audit w/ an actual job-seeker.
Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways we can help:
1. CareerSprout Coaching Our coaching is designed to help tech professionals land $200k to $500k+ job offers that align with their values and life goals.
2. Free Coaching Calls Join us live on LinkedIn every Wednesday at 10am PT / 1pm ET to ask questions live and get actionable insights to land a job in today's market and build a meaningful career.
3. Weekly Newsletter Get resources with actionable insights delivered to your inbox each week to help you navigate personal and professional growth in today's world.
4. Partner with CareerSprout Want Gaurav or Katie to speak at your next event or host a virtual workshop? We'll create a workshop with actionable advice and strategies for job seekers in your community.