If you've been sending out applications and hearing nothing back, you're not imagining it — the US job market is genuinely tough right now. Companies have been laying off in waves, which means experienced mid-career professionals are now competing for the same entry-level roles. Employers can afford to offer lower titles and lower salaries and still attract strong candidates. If you're not in a rush, my honest advice is to hold tight and keep building your skills before making a move. But if you need to find something now, here's what actually works.
Most people's job search starts in the wrong place — they search with job titles that are too broad, either missing relevant roles or drowning in ones that don't fit. The first thing that actually helps is getting specific about your keywords. You need a focused list of job titles for your track so you can set up LinkedIn Job Alerts and let the right opportunities come to you, rather than hunting manually every day. I've put together keyword lists for B2B marketing, B2C marketing, and the general marketing and analytics track. Once you know which lane fits you best, set up targeted alerts and use those daily emails to spot the skills gaps showing up in job descriptions. Build your short-term learning plan around what keeps appearing.
📄 Free Download: Marketing & Analytics Roles and Job Titles — a keyword list covering B2B, B2C, and general marketing tracks to help you set up smarter LinkedIn Job Alerts.
Once you know which roles you're targeting, you need a system for tracking everything. The biggest mistake I see in job searches is what I call spray-and-pray — apply everywhere, follow up nowhere. You lose track of who you reached out to, forget to follow up, and miss opportunities that were actually within reach. I've used a job hunting tracking spreadsheet for ten years, and it's one of the most consistently useful habits I have every time I'm in job search mode. The spreadsheet has multiple tabs, one for each industry or job function I'm targeting. For each opportunity, I log the company name, role title, the HR contact or recruiter, and any connections I have who could refer me — broken down into first-degree connections and second-degree ones like college alumni or professional association members. I also track the date I last reached out and what the next step is, so nothing falls through the cracks. This turns job searching from a stressful blur into a manageable project.
📊 Free Download: Job Hunting Tracking Sheet — a ready-to-use spreadsheet template to organize your applications, networking contacts, and follow-up schedule.
The third piece is your outreach strategy. Your skills are your product, your resume is your packaging, and your network is your distribution channel — you need all three. A referral doesn't guarantee an interview, but it dramatically increases the odds that your resume actually gets seen by a human being. The key is knowing that the message you send to a recruiter is different from the message you send to someone who works at the company. Recruiters want to know whether your profile matches the role — be direct and specific about why you're a fit. Messages to potential referrals inside a company should be warmer, starting with a genuine request to connect or have a conversation, and working toward the referral ask more naturally. I've included templates for both, plus a coffee chat invite and follow-up note.
✉️ Free Download: LinkedIn Outreach Message Templates — real message templates for reaching out to recruiters, potential referrals, and coffee chat requests. Ready to personalize and send.
At its core, a job search is a marketing campaign — and you're the product. The more systematic and intentional you are about it, the faster you'll get results. Use the right keywords to find the right roles, track everything so nothing slips, and reach out strategically so your network actually works for you.
© 2026 Rachel Hong · Accelerator Consulting