What to Do When the Job Market Slows (Hint: It’s Not More Applications)

If you read my last post, you know this job market is…a lot. And when things feel out of your control, it’s easy to spiral:

Am I doing something wrong? Should I be doing more?

Here’s the reframe I give my clients:

Instead of focusing on what you can’t control (the job market), focus on what you can control (investing in yourself).

The job search doesn’t have to be passive. In fact, the strongest candidates I work with treat this time as an investment period. An investment in themselves that isn’t necessarily high cost.  

Here are two ways to invest in yourself while you’re searching for your next role.

1. Build AI Skills (Even if you're not “technical”)

AI fluency is quickly becoming a baseline expectation across roles, and not just in the tech industry (NACE, PWC, LinkedIn). Stanford’s 2025 AI Index Report noted that in 2024, corporate investment in AI was $252.3 billion and generative AI startups nearly tripled (Stanford). 

The good news? You don’t need to go back to school and pay hefty tuition fees. There are credible, free AI certifications that demonstrate initiative and practical skill-building to employers.

Here are a few options:

Google AI Professional Certificate (via Google / Coursera)

• Covers real-world applications like research, content creation, and data analysis

• Includes 20 hands-on tools and projects

• Often free for small businesses (SEJ)

  
  

Artificial Intelligence Basics and Building Chatbots (via IBM SkillsBuild)

• Choose which courses to take ranging in 4 hours to 10 hours each

• Begin with a foundational understanding of AI and natural language processing 

• Gain hands-on experience by building your own chatbot 

  
  

Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment (via University of Maryland)

• 10 self-paced modules taught by School of Business faculty

• Covers baseline knowledge of AI, how it’s transforming the private sector and emerging careers

• Geared towards early and mid-career professionals thinking of making a career pivot

Finally, don’t just add the certificate to your resume and LinkedIn profile.   Apply it.  Use your preferred AI tool to: 

• Analyze job descriptions to prepare for interviews

• Build a project to track your networking outreach and notes

  
  

2. Join a Professional Organization (Where Connection Actually Happens)

Most people approach networking as: I need something from you.

The strongest candidates approach it as: I’m curious about this (career/job/industry) and want to learn.  

I distinctly remember working with an MBA student who was targeting the very competitive consulting industry.  He shared that “reframing networking this way has been a game changer.”  Due to this reframe and his persistence, he had 5 networking calls at one of his target companies and after following up and multiple interviews, eventually landed an offer.

So how can you meet people beyond trying to track them down on LinkedIn?

One of the best ways to meet like-minded professionals in your field is through a professional organization.  Professional organizations are often grouped by industry or job function.  In addition to attending webinars and in-person events to learn about the latest trends, these organizations are a fantastic way to meet people in your field.   

(Note: if you’re a student, many of them offer discounted memberships).  

A few examples:

• American Marketing Association (AMA)

• New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants

• Financial Management Association (FMA)

• Women in Media 

• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

  
  

Furthermore, don’t just sign up, actually engage.   Some ideas how:

• Ask a question in a webinar (be sure to introduce yourself first)

• Follow up with one person after an event

• Volunteer for a committee if you can

  
  

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been out of work for more than a year and are still using the same job search strategy, it’s time to try something new. Taking even one step, like enrolling in an AI certificate or joining a professional organization, is an investment in yourself.

When you invest in your education or expand your network, you naturally become a more competitive candidate.

The clients who see real results aren’t the ones applying to the most jobs.  They’re the strategic ones. They focus on networking, continuous learning, and applying selectively.

Not sure where to start or want support with this process? Send me a message.