"There’s something seriously intoxicating about being around successful, career-driven women. Their confidence combined with their “don’t underestimate me” energy makes me want to listen to every story and piece of advice they have. It’s probably why I’m so obsessed with reading memoirs—I want to hear their secrets. How did they get to where they are? What was it that set them apart from the start? It’s hard to believe that the women at the top also went through awkward interview processes, rearranged their resumes eight times, and crossed their fingers for job opportunities to work out. (Celebrities! They’re just like us!)
When it comes to jump-starting your career, making a bold career change, or simply finding a job you love and are proud of, there are certain things you can do to set yourself apart from the rest. From creating an interview bucket list to networking with colleagues, we’re sharing nine things successful women do while they job search and what ultimately sets them up for career success.
They stay up to date on the job market
You won’t find successful women doing anything unprepared, which is why they remain educated on the state of the job market and its trends (Ghost Jobs, Revenge Quitting, and more!) while job hunting. They follow industry news platforms, subscribe to relevant newsletters, and attend events to remain locked into the conversation. In doing so, successful women gain important information on emerging opportunities or skills that are going to be in demand so they can add them to their resume. Plus, this helps them prepare for industry changes that could affect the future of their careers—like layoffs. This knowledge gives them more confidence, and not to mention, more leverage as they negotiate offers.
They make their job search their “job”
Successful women don’t do anything halfway, so when they are looking for a job, they put the effort in and treat it the same way they would an actual job. They set aside designated windows—whether it’s two hours every morning, Monday through Friday, every other day, or twice a week—to search for open roles and customize their applications. This streamlines the process, keeps them consistent, and gives them a clear view of what jobs are posted and when so they can be early applicants. From there, they keep track of which jobs they apply for so they can follow up when necessary. Not only does this keep them organized, but it also ensures that their job search doesn’t take over their life or become too overwhelming.
They create an interview bucket list
An “interview bucket list” is a list of companies you deeply admire and would love to work for, whether it be because of their mission, culture, or products, and you better believe successful women create one when they are job hunting. Successful women know that finding a job that aligns with their interests and passions, and not just their skill set, is the key to feeling fulfilled. With this in mind, they take the time to jot down who would be a dream to work for, and they keep a close eye on those career pages. Even if the companies aren’t hiring, it serves as a reminder to search for roles that truly align rather than applying to any old job that comes their way.
“Successful women know that finding a job that aligns with their interests and passions, and not just their skill set, is the key to feeling fulfilled.”
They create new versions of their resume for each role
With an ever-evolving job market, updating your resume and cover letter to accurately reflect your skills and experience is non-negotiable. Successful women take the extra time during their job search to create versions that resonate with each job they’re applying for. This means highlighting anything within their qualifications that mirrors the job description. We know that HR professionals are using AI to filter for qualified candidates, and successful women are not going to let their applications get ignored. Moreover, since skills take precedence over pedigree these days, successful women know that what really matters is what you can do, not necessarily what you’ve done, so they use every resume trick up their sleeve to showcase those skills (like opting for a functional resume when it makes sense). Leaning into how their skills will elevate their dedication to the role makes all the difference between how they look versus another candidate to a hiring manager.
They build a strong personal brand
When it comes to positioning yourself as competitive these days, successful women know that having a strong personal brand can make all the difference. It can help you establish your reputation, showcase your expertise, and differentiate you from others in your field. With this in mind, successful women spend time building and curating their personal brand online. They might showcase their expertise through blog posts, discuss insights on LinkedIn, share relevant industry or career advice on TikTok, or even engage in online forums or discussions. Not only does this reinforce their credibility, but it also shows that they are dedicated to their career, which is what hiring managers want to see.
They expand their prospects
Successful women think outside the box and look where other people might not think to look for opportunities. This might mean finding contacts and making connections over social media, looking for ads in the paper, joining Facebook groups or Reddit groups relevant to their job and industry, and filtering open positions by company rather than position. Doing this expands their prospects, makes them feel more optimistic about job searching, and helps them find jobs that not as many people are discovering and applying for.
“Successful women aren’t strangers to self-reflection. They know when to leave what’s not serving them, which is why they take the time to reevaluate their career amidst their job search.”
Similarly, even though they might prefer the freedom and flexibility of a remote role, they know that strictly searching for WFH jobs can seriously dwindle their prospects—especially since RTO mandates are running rampant—so they are open to in-office roles so they are more competitive candidates in today’s job market.
They actively network online and in person
Networking is something successful women do even when they’re not job hunting, but they prioritize it even more when they are. They create time in their schedule to be more active on recruiting websites like LinkedIn and Indeed, grab a coffee and stay in touch with professional contacts and former colleagues, talk to friends and family about their job search, and attend industry events. They know that tapping into their network to gain support can be invaluable during this time. Not to mention, it helps them gain insight into opportunities their network might know about. What better way to find a job than through a referral in your network that you know and respect?
They leverage another income source
Everyone knows that having a freelance job or side hustle is a great way to earn money while looking for full-time work, but successful women don’t just pick up any old job. They leverage outside opportunities to help them gain relevant experience and skills they need for their industry and career. For example, they might decide to hone their graphic design skills through work on Upwork or Fiverr or flex their rusty project management qualifications by doing freelance work on the side for a friend or colleague. Not only does this have the potential to expand the types of jobs they are qualified for, but it can also help them break into new industries and even become their full-time career if it’s something they end up loving.
They reevaluate their career
Successful women aren’t strangers to self-reflection. They know when to leave what’s not serving them, which is why they take the time to reevaluate their career amidst their job search. Knowing they are capable of making a career change literally anytime they want, successful women ask themselves if the job they are searching for is really right for them. Are they still passionate about it? Will it help them reach their long-term career goals? These are the questions on their mind.
If they determine that where they are is not where they are meant to be, successful women aren’t afraid to make a career change. They carefully consider how their unique skill set might align with another industry or type of role, and from there, they cast a wider net in their search. With that in mind, making a huge pivot excites them since they know that seeking out new opportunities can only help their career flourish.
Hailey Bouche, Associate Editor
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Bouche oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a Rhode Island native, professional blogger, and freelance writer. She’s passionate about helping women develop healthy relationships with money, become financially independent, and invest in themselves for the future. Arianna is a firm believer in going after what you want, taking time to stop and smell the roses, and the importance of a good cocktail.