LinkedIn expert shares six strategic steps for a smarter job hunt

Catherine Fisher, a career adviser for LinkedIn based in San Francisco, warned that job hunters are increasingly lost in a flood of mass applications and generic AI-crafted resumes, making it harder to catch recruiters' attention. She recommends starting with precise job criteria—location, industry, and role—and ensuring LinkedIn profiles reflect in-demand abilities like AI literacy. Developing a sustainable network by engaging with industry contacts and requesting brief informational chats is essential, as is replacing vague résumé language with concrete, impact-focused achievements.

Fisher also highlights the need to balance technical expertise with human soft skills, take regular breaks to avoid burnout, and view early or contract positions as opportunities for growth rather than failures. By reframing expectations and focusing on relationship-building, candidates can improve their prospects in a tighter hiring market.