Bumping this thread to share my job search journey. TL;DR - AI was key.
In April of last year, I left my employer of 13 years. The company had gone through six presidents in six years and was in the middle of its third major reorg. I was leading inorganic product development, a role I loved, when I was informed that the function would be shut down. They offered me another leadership role, but I knew it was time. My passion was gone. I negotiated a severance package which, along with unemployment, covered my expenses for 2024. I didn’t hate not working, but since I failed to win the lottery, I started my job search in January 2025.
I knew it could take 7–9 months at my level, but I felt pretty confident. I had a strong track record: multiple promotions, consistent results, and a degree from a reputable school. I assumed I’d do just fine. I applied for about 15–18 roles from January to March and received no interest. That was concerning.
That’s when I came back to this thread and saw the above advice about resume keyword optimization. I’m a bit of a tech laggard, but it made sense, so I gave it a shot. Once I started utilizing it, more and more applications for it emerged.
I started using AI to:
• Tailor resumes with role-specific keywords
• Rewrite resume bullets
• Draft custom cover letters
• Research companies and industries
• Prepare for interviews
It was a game changer. Everything I produced was sharper and better informed, and it all took a fraction of the time. Over the next 15–18 applications, I got four interview requests. Today, I was extended an offer for a role I’m genuinely excited about. Just wanted to bump this thread to thank the folks who shared their advice and to share some of my own.
@choripan I owe you some drinks if you are ever in Denver