After being laid off from a top tech company, Joseph Hilman landed three job offers in just six weeks. His success wasn’t just about skills—it was about strategy, mindset, and persistence.
Here’s how he did it:
1. Found a Compelling Reason to Move On
- Initially, he struggled with letting go of his identity tied to the company.
- A shift in mindset helped: He saw his experience as valuable and worth sharing with other companies.
- This gave him purpose and motivation to move forward quickly.
2. Treated Job Hunting Like a Full-Time Job
- Instead of taking time off, he immediately started job searching to maximize severance benefits.
- Maintained a structured daily routine, focusing on job applications, networking, and skill-building.
3. Set Clear Intentions and Let Go of the Rest
- Identified key non-negotiables: remote work, salary expectations, leadership role, aligned values.
- Kept an open mind about job type, location, and company size to maximize opportunities.
4. Repackaged His Experience
- Updated his résumé using a modern design and clear structure.
- Posted his portfolio on FasterGig.com
- Created four key personal brand categories to highlight his skills and value.
- Focused on clarity and impact to make it easier for employers to see his strengths.
5. Acted Fast and Networked Aggressively
- Reached out to 20+ contacts in the first week, even before feeling fully prepared.
- Marked himself #OpenToWork on LinkedIn and scheduled multiple interviews immediately.
- Learned from failures, adjusted his approach, and kept momentum going.
6. Managed Stress and Negative Thoughts
- Used self-inquiry techniques (Byron Katie’s The Work) to challenge doubts like “I’m too old” or “I won’t get hired.”
- Focused on staying positive and adaptable instead of dwelling on rejection.
7. Let Go of Anger and Focused on Growth
- Released frustration toward his previous employer through gratitude and reflection.
- Recognized that holding onto negativity would slow him down in job interviews.
8. Used a Career Coach for Honest Feedback
- Took advantage of career coaching from his severance package.
- Chose to be fully honest in sessions, which helped him gain deeper insights into his goals and strengths.
9. Kept Learning and Improving
- Dedicated 1-2 hours daily to upskilling through Coursera and free learning materials.
- Stayed proactive in personal and professional growth, even if the new skills weren’t immediately needed.
10. Tracked Progress and Stayed Organized
- Created a Google Doc to track job applications, contacts, and interview statuses using the FasterGig Method.
- This helped maintain focus and momentum without feeling overwhelmed.
11. Stayed Open Until the End
- Kept saying yes to opportunities until he had three solid offers.
- Avoided premature decisions and evaluated offers carefully based on his criteria.
12. Chose the Best Offer Wisely
- Used his career coach as a sounding board before making the final decision.
- Took time to reflect and aligned his choice with his long-term goals.
- Only after signing the contract did he notify other companies of his decision.
Key Takeaways:
- Mindset matters—embrace change as an opportunity.
- Speed is crucial—don’t wait to start job hunting.
- Networking is key—many jobs come from direct outreach.
- Stay flexible—being open to different roles increases chances of success.
- Manage stress—self-awareness and resilience speed up the process.
By focusing on clarity, persistence, and adaptability, he secured a new role in just six weeks. If you’re job hunting, these strategies can help you land the right job faster.