Job Search Challenges: Assessments and Company-Specific Projects During the Hiring Process7/28/2026 By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Demonstrating Your SkillsEmployers are trying to find someone to solve the unique problems their business has. Recruiters and hiring managers will want to make sure that candidates have the skills and competencies included on their resume. Let's look at a few ways employers might verify candidate abilities during the hiring process. About Assessments & Work SamplesDepending on the company, the newness of the position, and the level of the role, there may be more to the interview process than talking with all the stakeholders. Potential employers may want additional assurances that you are able to complete the key functions included in the job posting. Many employers will verify the information included in your job applicaiton to ensure it is accurate. It is common for a company to confirm your previous employment, certifications, education, and references. It is also common to ask to see previous work samples, often in the form of an online portfolio, for them to get examples of your previous work. For some roles, the organization, or a hiring manager, may ask you to do even more to ensure that you are the best candidate. These additional steps often include two key components: pre-employment assessments or role-specific projects. My Experience With AssessmentsAs a part of a few hiring processes, I’ve been asked to take various tests to assess my tendencies, abilities, and aptitudes. Key focus areas often include problem-solving, strengths, work style, spatial ability, logical thinking, and temperament. For one role after layoff #7, the first two “interviews” with one organization were online assessments that compared my test results to a role-specific and company-specific ideal profile. For that job opening, I had 2 “interviews” like this and received a rejection email without interacting with actual people. For another hiring process, I took online exams on logical reasoning, general intelligence, and basic math before I was eligible for a phone screen. Possible Issues With AssessmentsAs a hiring manager, your goal is to find a candidate who is a great fit for the open position. Assessments can be useful when they are used to verify skills relevant to performing a specific position well. However, some assessments may be checking for skills not required for a given role. In addition, some assessments are not intended to be used during the hiring process and may introduce irrelevant or biased information into the hiring decision. In addition, while using assessments can help an organization to find better candidates, they may also cause some potential candidates to opt out of the process. My Experiences: Work Samples & Small AssignmentsAs someone who works in the field of learning and development, I expect a potential employer to ask to see my portfolio. During the application process, they often ask for a link to an online collection of work samples. Sometimes, during an interview, an employer will ask me to "talk them through" my portfolio and highlight examples of a specific skill that they find particularly relevent. Alternatively, the hiring manager may commit to looking at my work samples later and ask which ones they should focus on to get the best sense of my skills. Since I often work in roles where I present in front of groups, I am always ready to make a 10 minute presentation to the hiring team. While most interviewers let me know a presentation is expected, I have also had people ask me during the interview if I could "teach them something" right then. For higher level roles, I've often been asked to create a "back of the napkin" plan for how I would onboard myself to the new organization. For example, for a Learning & Development Manager role where I would create the learnign function from the ground up, I was asked to create a 30-60-90 day plan outlining what I would do to get to know the organization and prioritize projects. My Experiences: Interview-Specific ProjectsFor some roles, the projects have become much more time intensive and elaborate. In my experience, companies may ask for custom work samples based on the role being new, the role being pivotal to future success, the company having a history of them not finding the "right" person for a similar role. Here are a few examples of the more involved projects and work sampels I've been asked to create as a part of the hiring process:
Issues With Interview-Specific ProjectsIn the abstract, I’ve seen many people bluster on social media about what they absolutely will never do as part of a job interview process. I also know that the decision feels much different when you're in career transition than when you are gainfully employed. It's a lot harder to hold firm to your boundaries when you are just certain that going the extra mile now will give you and edge and help you land that job. It's hard enough when you feel like you had a good phone screen and don't get invited back the next round. It's a whole new level of job search agony when you jump through hoop after hoop and learn that you were not selected. In fact, in all of these cases, I did not get the job. In one case, I got an offer that was later rescinded (because start-ups). In the final example listed--which also included 10 interviews, me reading the book written by the company's founder, and the aforementioned half day of work from me--the organization opted not to fill the position at all. My Insights On Company-Specific ProjectsI also have a few additional insights from all of these company-specific I have completed for this laundry list of jobs I did not get.
My Lessons Learned and Future Strategies
What Do You Think?What are your personal guidelines for how much time you will spend creating custom work samples during the interview process for a given job? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn More
0 Comments
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Messaging With Your ConnectionsOne of the benefits of having connections on LinkedIn is that you can directly send them messages without having a paid subscription. However, this feature has also been used poorly on several occasions. Let's look at how to use LinkedIn messaging effectively to continue building professional relationships and provide some guidelines for how to use this feature well. The Value of Mutually Beneficial RelationshipsTo have a valuable professional newtork, make sure those relationships are mutually beneficial. Networking is about give and take. Make sure that you are adding value along the way. This includes sharing useful content, congratulating people on their accomplishments, and answering one-off questions when people ask for advice. In short, be a good LinkedIn neighbor. If you give more than you take, your LinkedIn connections will be more likely to help you when you need it. Messages That Add ValueWhen directly contacting your LinkedIn connections, make sure you are not overfocused on asking for favors. It is important to provide value first. Here are a few types of messages that give more than they take:
Make sure you are not THAT PERSON who only reaches out when they need a favor. Direct Asks For Help: Worst PracticesAsking for help is an art. First, you need to be willing to ask for help. Next, you need to craft your ask in a way that you have a higher likelihood of getting that help. Here are a few significant issues I’ve seen from people attempting to ask for job search help:
The Worst AsksHere are a three questions that may not get you much of a response:
Why are these not good asks? For one, these are big requests that require a lot of effort to do well. For example:
Direct Asks For Help: Better PracticesHere are a few better asks, but may only work with connections who you know very well and who you have helped in the past:
These requests are specific, which is better, but each is still a sizeable request. The first two may be time intensive. The next two involve your connection putting their reputation on the line to recommend you for a role. The final one requires a block of time on your connection's calendar. Depending on our interactions prior to these requests, their response may vary from “of course!” to no response at all. Again, remember to make sure your asks are aligned with how well you know one another. Direct Asks for Help: Best PracticesAsks are better when they are more specific and less time intensive. It’s also helpful if there is context. Here are a few asks that are more likely to get responses. The requests earlier in this list are more likely to get a response.
People Get To Say NoRemember, when you are asking for help, people will tell you no. More likely than telling you a direct no, they may just not respond. Ever. Keep in mind that job searching, like sales, means that you're going to hear a whole lot of no on the way to that one yes you need. When you need a specific thing, it's useful to ask multiple people for help to give you a better chance of getting a response. It's also not personal. We're each on LinkedIn using it to varying degrees and all trying to accomplish our own goals. Making sure that you are making the relationships mutually beneficial will make it much more likely that people will respond to you and want to lend you a hand when you need it. Learn More
by Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Adding Value Through CommunicationIt’s amazing how much of the job search process involves waiting to hear back and trying to communicate with the hiring team in a way that adds value. One easy way to strengthen your relationship with the hiring team is by sending a thank you note. While you could send a paper thank you note, I usually opt for a thank you email message given the prevalence of virtual interactions. But Why?During the interview process, your main goal is to position yourself as someone who would be an excellent direct report to the hiring manager and an awesome team member for your future coworkers. One easy way to be more likable is to be grateful and appreciative of people and their time. Sending a thank you email is a great way to do just that. Thank You Message BasicsSending a thank you message is another chance for your interviewers to see your name and have a positive experience with you. Who doesn’t like to be thanked for doing a thing? Here are key details to include in your post-interview thank you message:
Here’s the core content to include in a thank you message: Hi, Peter. Thanks so much for meeting with me earlier this week to discuss the Super Cool Support Manager position with Best Company Ever. It was great getting a chance to talk with you, Paul, and Mary about the support team and this opportunity. I am definitely interested in learning even more about the role. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] or via text/phone at 555-555-5555. Thanks again! --Brenda Next Level Thank You Message MagicIn addition to the basic message, without writing a full-on manifesto, take the time to add a little more relevant information. This is an excellent opportunity to add more details and value to the interaction. This will also help make you more memorable. Here are a few suggested points to cover:
Here's what the message to the hiring manager might look like: Hi, Peter. Thanks so much for meeting with me earlier this week to discuss the Super Cool Support Manager position with Best Company Ever. It was great talking with you, Paul, and Mary about the support team and this opportunity. Learning about your new knowledge base and help desk ticket prioritization model was great. I’m excited to join an organization committed to documentation and continuous process improvement. As we discussed, here are a few relevant skills I bring to the table:
In addition, here is the link to the article I mentioned entitled “18 Knowledge Base Examples That Get It Right." Chapter 9 in this article covers some of the metrics we were discussing: https://www.helpscout.com/helpu/knowledge-base-examples/ If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] or by text/phone at 555-555-5555. It was great getting a chance to talk with you—and I hope you have a great time on your fly-fishing trip this weekend! --Brenda Here's what a message to one of your future coworkers, Mary, might look like: Hi, Mary. It was great meeting you earlier this week to discuss the Super Cool Support Manager position with Best Company Ever. I enjoyed talking with you, Paul, and Peter about the support team and this opportunity. My experience working at Not Quite As Cool Company will help me add value to the team. I also hope you have fun on your upcoming trip to Minneapolis. As a fellow coffee lover, I suggest you stop at Dogwood Coffee Company. It’s honestly the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had and well worth the trip. It sounds like you’ll be staying not too far from their Northeast location. Here is the address: https://www.dogwoodcoffee.com/pages/locations If you have additional questions for me (professional or coffee related), feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] or via text/phone at 555-555-5555. Thanks again! --Brenda Thank You Note TimingI used to quickly send thank you messages right after I completed an interview. That way, the message would arrive in each person's inbox within a half hour after our conversation. Now, I wait until the next day, or even two days, to send the thank you. This puts time between our initial conversation and when they get this "remember me--I exist, and I'm awesome" message. Much like commercials, ads, or billboards remind you of the existence of a product or service you might want, I used my thank you messages as a second touchpoint with that person. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Learning About YourselfWhether you’re considering making a career change, are currently in the midst of a job transition, or want to be more effective in your role, increasing your self-knowledge is a great place to start. It's hard to figure out what kind of work will be the best fit for you if you're not clear on who you are, the life you want, and the role work plays in that equation. A Good Starting Point: Values and StrengthsIn other articles here on The Layoff Lady, I’ve outlined ideas for exploring your values and discovering your strengths. Knowing more about what you truly value and what you are good at will help you think about the why, what, and how of the type of work you are driven to do. Reflecting on your findings will also help you have better conversations about your skillset and what motivates you personally and professionally. A Solid Next Step: Discovering Your Saboteurs It’s incredible how our strengths and values also show up when we are in challenging situations—often in good ways, but sometimes in more destructive ways. Learning about how you can get in your own way is a valuable strategy for making better decisions when you’re mid-crisis. Enter Shirzad Chamine. He is a professor, professional coach, and the author of the best-selling book Positive Intelligence. He introduces strategies for how to be mindful of what we know (IQ) our overall emotional intelligence (EQ), and how to leverage our positive intelligence (abbreviated as PQ). The end result is learning to be more effective and increase our overall. Nine Ways We Self SabotageHere arer the nine saboteurs outlind in Positive Intelligence listed in alphabetical order along with my brief description of each:
Yikes. We're certanly not our best selves when we show up this way. Let's look at how you can identify your saboteurs and use that information to improve how you show up. About The Assessment To Find Your Top SaboteursSet aside time to take the 9 Ways We Self Sabatoge Assessment from Positive Intelligence. The assessment takes 5-10 minutes to complete. In addition, I suggest giving yourself 30-45 minutes to review your results and reflect. This assessment consists of 45 questions. Each question includes of a statement, and you'll rate your agreement with that statement on a 5-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The directions encourage you to answer each question relatively quickly and go with your initial response. The final 7 questions are about demographics and finding out where they will send your assessment results. Your Assessment ResultsThe results you receive include a ranking of your top sabateurs and your score for each. In addition, you will receive the following information about each of your saboteurs:
Reviewing Your ResultsI find these types of assessments fascinating. As someone who is committed to ongoing professional development, I appreciate getting insights that might be hard for someone else to share. These insights are valuable, and also help me understand why I do what I’m doing as well as helping me to recognize those non-helpful patterns so I can adjust my approach going forward. Not at all surprising to me, my top three saboteurs are as follows:
My Initial Reflections On My ResultsHere were my initial thoughts as I saw my top three identified saboteurs:
My Additional Reflections On My ResultsUnder Controller, here are a few statements resonated with me from the details included within my report:
Reflecting on Your Results
Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Interview Progression IssuesAfter you apply for a job, your goal is to be selected for an interview. That process usually includes an initial phone screen, one or more face-to-face interviews (virtual and/or in-person), then a job offer. As you progress in your job search, it's important to take time on a regular basis to evaluate what you are doing and see if you need to modify your approach. Let's look at possible ways to proceed if you are not receiving callbacks from employers for initial phone screens. No Initial Interview InvitationsI’ve seen variations on the following LinkedIn post way too many times: “I’ve applied for 300 jobs over the last six months, and I have only gotten a couple of interviews.” Realize you won’t get a phone screen for every job application you submit, but you should be getting some. If you apply for even 20 jobs and don’t hear anything back from any of them, it’s time to reassess and figure out what you need to change to have more success. As an applicant, the first challenge is getting out of the virtual pile of job applications and into the much more selective “we gotta talk to this one” pile. Taking these steps can help. Step 1: Identify Your Target JobOften, people who struggle with getting job interviews need to revisit what they want in a job and target their job search toward that goal. Unfortunately, while applying for as many jobs as possible seems logical, it often backfires. Instead, job seekers who identify what they really want, then apply for those roles more closely matching their interests and qualifications get hired sooner. Step 2: Realign Goals and MessagingAnother problem shared by people who struggle with job searching is not talking about what they want, their work experience, and their most relevant qualifications. Ensure your resume has a strong Professional Summary highlighting the type of role desired and your value to your target role. Step 3: Focus on Fewer ApplicationsHow many applications should you do in a given week? Applying for 300 jobs over six months (26 weeks) is an average of 11.5 applications per week. That is A LOT. When I’m job searching, my weekly goal is three applications per week, and I might submit as many as six per week if I see a few more role roles that look especially promising. By focusing on fewer job applications, I increase my quality instead of relying too heavily on quantity. Step 4: Customize your Resume for Each ApplicationWhen I decide to apply for a role, I take 15-30 minutes per application to customize my resume. Taking this extra time to update my language helps potential employers understand how my skill set aligns directly with what they are looking for in a candidate. Ensuring the right keywords are present for an Automated Tracking System (ATS) and for the recruiter who initially reviews each resume will give you a better chance of being selected for a phone screen. To make these updates efficiently and effectively, I focus on two sections: Professional Summary and Skills & Competencies. Check out the Learn More section for additional information on strategies for customizing your resume. Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Your Salary RequirementsMost of us work so we can pay for our lives. When you are job searching, it’s important to determine your target salary range to make your job search more effective. Having this information will help you prioritize which jobs to apply for and help you have those early salary conversations. Let’s look at a few strategies for answering the question, “What are your salary requirements?” Start With Your Target RolesFirst, ensure you’ve done the requisite amount of soul-searching to determine what you want to be next in your career. Have a list of what you want to do, possible job titles, relevant skills, core responsibilities, daily activities, focus areas, types of companies, and industries. Having these details on your desired job will help as you start to do salary research. The DisclaimerWhile I feel comfortable discussing various financial and insurance concepts, I do not currently hold a license or any certification that deems me inherently qualified to give financial advice. The information provided here is intended to be used for educational purposes only. Sometimes, the core challenge is knowing how a system generally works, the terms used to describe what you’re asking about, and where to go for additional help. My goal for this article is to share information to guide you as you navigate the murky waters of job searching. I hope my personal experiences can help you cut a path through the wilderness as you try to figure out your next steps. Feel free to take my recommendations or not. Whatever you do, double-check my facts--and everyone's purported facts, for that matter. This is your life, and you will care more about your financial and healthcare decisions than anyone else. Use this information as a starting point for further research as you ultimately decide what’s right for you. Identify Your PrioritiesNow that you understand your target job and what that looks like, think about what you value in a job. For example, some may prioritize having a specific job title, receiving tuition reimbursement money to earn their next credential, and opportunities for a promotion within the company. Another person may prioritize having interesting work while also having schedule flexibility, the ability to work remotely most days, and low health insurance premiums. Still another person may prioritize alongside colleagues in an office, having the opportunity to mentor new employees, and finding a job they can keep for the next 20 years. Think about what is the most important to you. In addition, think about what you value in an employer. Working for a non-profit, government entity, start-up, family business, or Fortune 500 company will have salary, benefit, job security, and total compensation-related implications. Overall, think about what matters to you, and be aware of the salaries that align with your overall job preferences. Factors That Influence Your Target Salary RangeWhen considering your salary requirements, I suggest using a range instead of one specific number. Let’s look at strategies for determining your target salary range. Here are numbers you might have in mind that could impact your range:
I suggest the salary range you share with potential employers includes the lower number that is the minum salary you would happily accept and the maximum number is what you'd be really excited about. What Companies Are PayingKnowing what companies are paying for what you do should also factor in to your target salary range. Here are a few strategies for finding out more: Search For Openings in Pay Transparency StatesTake these steps to find out what open positions are paying:
Research Your Job Title and Geographic LocationMany websites have salary information. Two that come highly recommended by recruiters are Salary.com and Payscale.com. In fact, Salary.com has a Know Your Worth calculator where you can add details like your job title, location, education level, and years of experience and see the impact each factor has on your potential market value. Ask AroundFind out from other job searchers, recruiters, and hiring managers what salaries companies are paying for specific roles. You can also inquire with professional development organizations to see if there are industry or job-specific studies available that include salary-related information. Confounding FactorsHere are a few factors that might make this process challenging:
Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady About ReferencesWhen you’re getting ready to apply for jobs, at some point, those companies will ask for professional references. Some organizations will ask for references during the initial application. Other employers will ask as they approach the final stages of their interview process. Let's look at how you can select and communicate well with these people who you want to vouch for you and your skills. About Professional ReferencesYour professional references will speak well of you and help potential employers see your value. While personal references are generally people who can vouch for your character, professional references can share their experience with you in a work-related capacity. Typically, you'll need the names and contact information for three people who can share their experiences with you. Selecting Your ReferencesWhen selecting your professional references, here are a few ideas on who you may want to use:
Overall, it's helpful to find people who have worked for you doing relevant work (paid or volunteer) and who can attest to your skills. Here are a few of the people I have used a reference in the past:
Which References To UseWhen I apply for jobs, I have two references I use consistently.
Depending on the role for which I am applying, I will choose which other reference might be the most helpful:
Overall, make sure that your references can speak to your skills as they might pertain to the specific job. Information To IncludeMake sure to collect the following details on your potential references so you are ready to share it with possible employers:
Asking People To Be Your ReferenceBefore you start giving out people's contact information, be sure to confirm they are okay with being your reference. I suggest doing this before a specific job asks for references. I usually send them a message via email, LinkedIn, or text that reads something like this: --------------- Hi, [first name]. I'm launching my job search, and I'm wondering if you'd be willing to be one of my professional references. If so, please share the following contact information details with me:
Thanks for your help! -------------- The Heads Up MessageAfter you have their initial permission to give out their name as a reference, be sure to also inform them if they should expect someone to reach out to them. In addition to letting them know who may contact them and the type of position, it's also good to share a reminder of your previous work relationship so they aren't scrambling. Here is an example of that type of message. --------------- Hi, [first name]. Thanks for being willing to be my reference! I recently applied for a [job title] position with [company name]. I am in the final stages of their interview process, and they may contact you via phone or email. As a reminder, you and I worked together at [company] from [date range] when I was a [my job title] and you were the [their job title]. Thanks again! --------------- Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Rejection and Negative EmotionsSearching for a new role is a rough process riddled with rejection, which is never pleasant. If you're in a post-layoff career transition, It starts with your former employer kicking you out of the whole company and, in essence, saying, “You are no longer one of us.” At every step of the way, you’ll experience people telling you no in a variety of ways--and it hits hard since you're navigating so much uncertainty and so many life changes. Even if you are currently employed, job searching and the associated rejection is still no picnic. You're also dealing with the uncertainty of knowing how long it will take to find something new and the challenge of doing good (enough) work at your current job while not knowing how long you'll be in limbo. Here is how that rejection may look. Applying for a job and:
Having what felt like a great interview for a job and:
Receiving a job offer and:
Accepting a job offer and:
The Necessity of Experiencing Your Emotions Because of all of the uncertainty and rejection, this whole process can be a lot to bear. It’s hard to keep going when there are obstacles at every turn. Sometimes, even well-intentioned people who are genuinely trying to be supportive ask just the wrong question and make you feel even worse. It is paramount that you experience your emotions, then manage your mindset so you don’t let your feelings make the already complicated process of finding a new job even harder. Coping StrategiesHere are a few ideas to help you work through the unpleasant emotions that will pop up during your quest for a new role. Acknowledge Each EmotionBefriend your feelings. Don’t pretend that you don’t feel how you do. Name them, acknowledge them, and then move on. Pretending those unpleasant feelings don’t exist will not make them disappear. Instead, it may silence them for a bit, but they will pop up later, usually at the worst possible time. Acknowledging each one will help them run their course–and also help you to increase your ability to manage the ups and downs of this process. Wallow a Little It’s impossible to will yourself into feeling better. Sometimes, you need to just sit with an uncomfortable feeling for a while and let it run its course. Cry a little. Rewatch your favorite movie for the bijillionth time. Have a little ice cream. Do a puzzle. Take a walk. Take the afternoon off from your to-do list. Some will run their course more quickly than others. Research The ProblemIf you’re worried about something, researching answers and managing your expectations often helps. How many job applications does it typically take to get an interview? How long does it take most people to find a new role post-layoff? Which companies are hiring? You'll probably feel a little better by researching options, clarifying goals, and taking useful action. Even if you don’t find a complete solution, you at least know more. Having added knowledge will help you worry less or at least direct your worry toward taking productive action that will help you solve a problem. Take a Social Media BreakSocial media, specifically LinkedIn, can be a great job search tool. Unfortunately, it can also give you the illusion that everyone else is doing great and you are downright hopeless. Posts like “It only took me a week to find my dream job,” or "I just got an awesome job (aka the one you were interviewing for)," “I’m still employed but I feel SO BAD for my former coworkers who are jobless,” or “Every company ever is doing more layoffs (which means more competition for each job)” will only make you feel worse. Remind yourself that social media isn’t real life and disengage. Leverage Basic Self CareWhen everything feels hard, taking care of yourself needs to be your top priority. Here are a few quick and easy ideas to make you feel almost instantly better:
Learn More
Job Search Skills You Didn't Know You Needed: Remote, Hybrid, Onsite, and Hiring Eligibility3/24/2026 By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Onsite, Remote, and Hybrid Work ImplicationsWhen searching for a job, one challenge is figuring out what work arrangements a given employer has in mind. Since 2020, companies in the United States often label their open positions as onsite, hybrid, or remote. Even with those labels, job seekers and individual employers are still not always aligned on what exactly that means Let's look at some of the factors in play. Remote Job ClarificationsFor a job labeled as "remote," their expectations could be any of the following:
Onsite, Remote, and Hybrid Roles in PracticeRegardless of the label, each role may work differently in practice. Here are a few of the many possible scenarios:
Navigating Job Listings for Remote RolesAs a job seeker who understand the different stated options and possible meanings, here are a few strategies for navigating job listings:
Overall, my biggest reccommendation is to err on the side of applying for jobs that look interesting and having a more robust conversation about working arrangements during the interview process. Remote Work Implications: Locations and PayThere are also a few other implications of remote work to keep in mind:
Strategies for Remote Work Salary ConversationsGiven these variations on how salaries work for remote roles, be sure to think through your financial requirements and how you will address questions about your desired salary:
Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady The Challenge: Describing What You DoWhether you're searching for a new role or thinking about your professional development, not having the right words to describe your skillset can hinder your progress. Identifying your career keywords will help you create effective messaging for your LinkedIn profile, resume, conversations with colleagues, and other written communications like email and social media posts. Where To Start: LinkedIn and KeywordsHere is my recommendation for how to begin gathering keywords that align with your chosen profession:
Let me take you through an example. Search for Your Target Job TitleI searched LinkedIn's Jobs section for Business Partner Organizational Development in the United States. From the results, I selected ten currently open positions to review further (because I'm an overachiever like that). Here are those job titles:
Lesson Learned: When you search for a job title, your results will include a variety of titles different companies use. Be sure to review the job description to learn more about what that company expects from that role. The duties for the same job title might vary widely from company to company, as might the terminology they use to describe it. Identifying Skills and KeywordsTotal Number of Different Skills Returned for All Ten Jobs For the 10 jobs I reviewed, 69 different skills were included in the results. For context, if all roles had the exact same skills, this number would be 10. If all of the roles had different skills, this number would be 100. Lesson Learned: Not only will job titles vary across organizations, but what skills they value can also differ. Be sure to review the job description to learn more about what skills the company thinks will help make someone in that role successful. Specific Skills Returned For More Than One Job Several skills came up more than once across those ten jobs. Here is the number of times a specific skill appeared for more than one role:
Lesson Learned: Even if there is not widespread agreement on the terminology used across organizations, some keywords will show up more often. Consider including popular keywords in your skills section on your LinkedIn profile and in your resume. Different Keywords for Similar Skills While specific keywords like "communication" and "problem solving" appeared more than once within the 10 job descriptions, several related terms might be included instead. Here are a few groups of terms that take different approaches to describing similar concepts:
Lesson Learned: When you look at the groupings of keywords, you can see the broader areas where roles like this would operate. Each company may use slightly different terminology regarding the skills that they value. When you talk about the work you do, consider weaving some of these words into your stories. What Do You Think?How do you identify the right keywords to use to describe what you do? How could you loop in AI into this process? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn More |
Author7-time layoff survivor Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, waxes poetic on layoffs, job transitions, & career resilience. Buy The Book!
Were you recently laid off? Need a roadmap for what's next? Or planning just in case? Check out my book, Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide!
Categories
All
Archives
August 2026
|
