This document provides tips for systematically searching for a job during uncertain economic times. It recommends informational interviewing to learn about opportunities and build connections. Building a strong personal brand through online profiles and volunteering can help stand out. Ongoing learning and practice improves interview skills. The process requires infrastructure like updated resumes and accounts, applying widely, networking, and maintaining morale through challenges. With persistence and community support, remaining offense-focused increases chances of finding a job.

1. How to Systematize Your Job
Search During Uncertain Times
Albert Qian
Albert’s List
December 10, 2021

2. About Me
 San Francisco Bay Area born-and-raised
product marketing manager
 Founded Albert’s List, a community of 47,000
members on Facebook to support and connect
job seekers to various resources —
bit.ly/findyournextjob

3. Agenda
The State of the Job Market
Informational Interviewing
Building Your Personal Brand
Learning & Development
Mastering the Interview
Q&A | Let’s Connect

4. The State of the Job Market

6. The Impact of COVID-19 and Inflation
The pandemic created a
hiring boom that
depended on increased
demand for digital
services. That demand
has failed to materialize.
Shortages of products
remain, and the Federal
Reserve has no way to
incentivize businesses.
Lowering demand is the
task instead.
As a result, moonshot
projects and high-risk
ideas are less attractive
because money costs
more money.

8. 2023 Promises
to Be Rocky Too
 The Fed will continue raising interest rates until
inflation falls.
 Multiple analysts expect a downturn, including
rolling recessions.
 Companies may continue cutting talent—and
some like Google have yet to start.
 Continued positive jobs reports and shortages
in industries will keep raising wages.

9. The Job Search Game Has Changed
Fewer available roles for more employees on the market.
Big companies are risky and wondering what’s next.
Who you know and who knows you is more important than ever.
Finding ways to stand out will get you in the door.
Flexibility makes a comeback.

10. Informational Interviewing

11. Understanding the Basics
70% of jobs are
unlisted.
People hire
people, not robots
(not yet at least)
Curiosity shows
initiative and
interest
As roles become fewer, getting in front of decision makers gets you out of the traditional
loop

12. Do Your Homework
Understand
the company
from a 50,000-
foot view
1
Understand
the industry
and where it’s
going
2
Read the news
and have high-
level
knowledge
3
Know what’s at
stake (here and
in the
interview)
4

13. Ask for the
Informational
Interview
 Focus on warm networks—mutual friends,
previous employers, alumni networks.
 Ask for 20 minutes. It gives enough time to ask
basic questions.
 Prepare your questions in advance.
 Don’t come in with a motive, other than being
curious and wanting to learn more.
 Don’t expect anything—but give your attention
and respect.

15. If It Goes Right, You’ll Be Successful…
Often, a great conversation needs to an opportunity.
Be gracious and open to what may come.
FOLLOW UP!

16. Building Your Personal Brand

17. If You Build It, Will They Come?
Your personal
brand is what
others know you
for.
It can be your
knowledge,
insights, interests,
and personability.
People hire
people, so
personality
matters.
How you show up
matters.

18. There Are MANY Ways to Get Out There
 Personal Website or Portfolio
 LinkedIn
 Facebook
 TikTok
 Medium / Blogging
 Twitter
 In-person networking events
 YouTube
 Virtual events
 Volunteering
 Clubhouse

19. Focus and Accelerate
FIND OUT WHERE YOUR
AUDIENCE IS.
ENGAGE WITH THE
INTENTION OF
HELPING.
BUILD YOUR
CREDIBILITY IN THE
MARKET THROUGH
INSIGHTS.
BE BOLD AND
CHALLENGE THE
STATUS QUO.
BE YOUR
PROFESSIONAL SELF.

20. Get Started
Today
Record a short video.
Write a blog post about your industry.
Reach out to someone in your network.
Build a targeted community.
Volunteer—and show up consistently.
Create a project to stand out.

21. Learning & Development

22. Do Your Homework
Know the
economy—and
your industry.
Refresh and gain
new skills for work.
Network regularly
with professionals
in your industry.
Read the news and
understand new
developments.
Apply knowledge
to your interviews.

24. Learning
Doesn’t Have
to Be Pricey
LinkedIn Learning is free
through your local library.
Use YouTube and take notes.
Apply what you learn to
personal projects.
Take advantage of sales on
Udemy.

25. Mastering the Interview

26. An Interview is Two Things
Mitigating Risk
(Avenues of Concern)
1
Selling Yourself as the Best Solution
(Avenues of Excitement)
2

27. What is Mitigating Risk?
Companies are
looking for red flags.
In a competitive
market, the flags
become bigger.
The small things
matter—how you
dress, how you show
up, and your
attitude.

28. Positioning
Yourself as
“The One”
You’re at the interview. Companies want you to do
well.
Companies have problems. You have the solution.
Identify what’s at stake for the business.
Tell the stories that set you apart from others.
Discover what they are asking for.
Increase the Avenues of Excitement.

29. Get Actionable On Your Interviewing
Create and
prepare
Create and prepare a
document of questions
and stories.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm where
you’ve been and where
you’re going.
Understand
Understand what is at
stake.
Be
Be aware of how your
stories create Avenues
of Excitement and
Avenues of Concern.
Increase the former and
reduce the latter.
Practice
Practice your answers
with a friend.

30. BONUS: Integrating the System

31. Putting it All
Together…
Comprehensive job search
mastery is needed to survive a
tough job market.
Like working when you’re hired,
you must turn job hunting into a
habit.
It’s understandable to have fears,
but you must overcome.

32. Step 1: First
Moments
From Job Loss
Take a deep breath.
You're free. If your
company is generous,
you've likely received
a severance package.
Take a few days to
yourself.
Review the severance
package.
File for
unemployment.

33. Step 2: Build Out
Your
Infrastructure
Announce that you
are available and
begin to build your
brand.
Start building new
habits to help you get
into a job search.
Update your resume,
LinkedIn, and
portfolio. Sign up for
LinkedIn Premium.
Start placing your
resume on job search
sites.
Find accountability
partners and support
systems.

34. Step 3: Get
on Offense
Apply for jobs… and
start reaching out for
informational
interviews.
Check your morale at
the door.
Get to networking
events and meeting
others.
Build your personal
brand and share
insights about your
industry multiple times
a week.
Practice accountability
with those around you.
Fill up your calendar
with interviews.

35. Step 4:
Perfect Your
Defense
Preserve your
mental health.
Integrate
learning into
your day.
Build a
meaningful
side project.
Follow up
with
opportunities.
Be prepared
for anything.

36. Step 5:
Repeat Until You Get That Job
(Take breaks if you need to)

37. Next Steps

38. Join Albert’s List
 https://bit.ly/findyournextjob
 Meet 47,000 recruiters, job seekers, hiring
managers, coaches, and more.
 Get/Give advice, discover jobs, get referred, or
network with others.

39. Q&A + Let’s Connect
Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/albertqian
Send me an email: albert@ajobslist.com

40. Thank You