Top 10 Ways to Get a Great Job Sooner

by Thea Kelley | July 23, 2025

Summary for Educators: "Top 10 Ways to Get a Great Job Sooner" by Thea Kelley Source: https://theakelley.com/top-10-ways-to-get-a-great-job-sooner

In Top 10 Ways to Get a Great Job Sooner, career expert Thea Kelley delivers a concise, actionable roadmap for job seekers eager to secure meaningful employment with speed and strategy. Her advice emphasizes not only efficiency but also intentionality—encouraging readers to focus on relationship-building, personal branding, and self-care.

1. Study the Job Search Rather than guesswork or outdated advice, Kelley urges job seekers to read current resources on resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and interviews. She recommends trusted authors like Enelow and Kursmark, and reminds candidates that professional help (when well-researched) can be a worthy investment.

2. Clarify Your Direction Before making a leap, Kelley recommends self-assessment. Are you seeking a different role, industry, or a full career reinvention? Each pathway demands a tailored approach. She references her guide on career change as a starting point for deeper reflection.

3. Spend Smart, Especially When Unemployed Kelley acknowledges the financial stress of unemployment but warns against cutting costs that matter—such as buying interview attire or joining professional associations. Tools like AI can be useful for crafting resumes or cover letters but require careful review, as they may produce generic or inaccurate results.

4. Use LinkedIn Powerfully Kelley calls LinkedIn “the most valuable social platform” for job seekers. A polished profile boosts visibility, builds trust with employers, and attracts recruiters. Most importantly, it offers the chance to showcase social proof through peer and supervisor recommendations—one of the first elements employers check.

5. Embrace Social Proof Recommendations serve as third-party endorsements, substantiating claims made in resumes and interviews. Kelley encourages candidates to seek endorsements from bosses, clients, and colleagues, and not to underestimate the impression this leaves on hiring managers.

6. Sharpen the Saw Quoting Lincoln and Stephen Covey, Kelley reminds readers to invest in their well-being and skills. Staying mentally, emotionally, and physically fit is crucial during the job search. Exercise, therapy, and quality time with loved ones all contribute to a productive mindset. Professional development—whether in tech, writing, or leadership—should be ongoing.

7. Prepare for Interviews Now Candidates should rehearse key questions and polish interview techniques before they’re contacted by recruiters. Even a first call is an interview, and preparation separates confident candidates from nervous ones.

8. Create a Current Role, Even If Unemployed Kelley advises professionals to reflect their ongoing work identity—even when not on payroll. Freelance projects, volunteering, or coursework all show commitment and continuity, countering the stigma of employment gaps.

9. Target, Don’t Scatter A broad job hunt can dilute effort. Kelley stresses the importance of identifying specific job titles and companies of interest. A focused approach allows for better alignment with desired roles and enables networking within those target organizations.

10. Prioritize Conversations Over Applications Perhaps the most surprising advice is that applying for jobs online isn’t the fastest route. Instead, Kelley champions informational interviews and networking as the most direct path to opportunity. Once a job is publicly listed, the competition skyrockets. Savvy seekers “fish upstream,” building relationships before roles become widely known.

Conclusion Kelley's article encourages educators—and others—in career transition to adopt a proactive, deliberate job search mindset. By networking intentionally, embracing new tools while honoring fundamentals, and keeping the “axe sharp,” job seekers increase not only the speed but also the quality of their employment outcomes.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com