Most people's job search strategy involves submitting applications online and maybe sending a LinkedIn message or two. That's fine — but it's also what everyone else is doing. If you want to stand out, you have to do something different. Here are some approaches I've seen work, and that I've used myself.
Post on Xiaohongshu (or LinkedIn) with tags for your city, school, major, and a skill or hobby you'd offer to teach for free — photography, baking, tennis, whatever. Introduce yourself, explain what kind of role you're looking for, and be specific about what you bring. This works better than most people expect because it's genuinely different and shows real personality.
In your LinkedIn messages, make it clear you understand reciprocity. Something like: "I'm happy to meet near your office — my treat for coffee or lunch." Or if it's a virtual meeting: "I'd love to send you a Starbucks gift card as a small thank you." These small gestures separate you from the crowd of people who only reach out when they need something.
Volunteer at industry events. Search Eventbrite, Meetup, and General Assembly for relevant conferences and panels, then sign up to help. You'll get access to speakers and attendees without the awkward "here's my business card" dance. In marketing specifically, organizations like the Advertising Research Foundation or She Runs It host good events.
And if you're bold: find or guess the email of someone at a company you're targeting — typically first.lastname@company.com — and send a well-crafted, concise cold email. Three paragraphs max. Make it specific to them and their work. Ask in the comments if you want a template.
© 2026 Rachel Hong · Accelerator Consulting