By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”—Steve Jobs
People hire me for No BS job search coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write resumes, although I do critique resumes. I leave it to people who are experts at that. I am someone who has helped tens of thousands of people find work.
I have free information available at JobSearch.Community. Also, scroll down to receive my Wednesday email with job search advice. Becoming an Insider at any level gives you access to all my video courses, books, and guides to job search, the ability to ask me questions and, if you choose an option above the lowest tier, you can receive job search coaching from me, too.
I have several new pieces of content on the site. Become an Insider and get access to it all, including my newest book, The Over 50 Professional’s Guide to Job Search Success: Proven Techniques to Overcome Age Bias, and Thrive in Today’s Job Market.” It’s my 15th or 16th. It’s available on Amazon, too as part of my Job Search Essentials series. You also have access to “The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions’ and many more (It is also available on Amazon in multiple formats
Walk in an Employer’s Shoes
If you’re in the middle of a job search and your inbox remains quiet, it might be time to change your perspective. Instead of focusing only on what you need from a job, start thinking about what an employer truly needs from you. While it’s tempting to wish employers could experience the uncertainty and frustration job seekers endure today—from ghosting to algorithmic screening—the most strategic move is to step into their shoes first.
Understanding how employers think is about effectiveness, not empathy. Employers are under increasing pressure to make the right hire, minimize turnover, and maintain team morale in a complicated labor market. The more you can show that you understand their challenges, the more likely you are to stand out as a solution, not just an applicant.
What Keeps Hiring Managers Up at Night
1. Protecting Team Culture
Every leader today knows that one disengaged or disruptive employee can derail productivity and morale. Hybrid work arrangements, digital collaboration, and rapid organizational change make it even easier for a negative attitude to spread. Hiring managers fear bringing in someone who doesn’t align with team values. They want people who adapt, communicate, and add balance—especially in diverse or remote teams.
2. Reputation and Accountability
Hiring isn’t just a business function; it’s a reflection of the manager’s judgment. Many hiring leaders are evaluated on retention and performance metrics. A poor hiring decision can damage their credibility, slow down team deliverables, and create friction with HR or senior leadership. They must be confident that the person they choose will deliver results without micromanagement.
3. Customer and Brand Impact
Employees represent the company’s brand, both in person and online. A negative social media post, an unprofessional client interaction, or a missed commitment can ripple quickly in today’s digital world. Employers are increasingly focused on professionalism, emotional intelligence, and authenticity when assessing candidates.
How to Build Employer Confidence Before the Interview
Research Like a Consultant
Generic preparation doesn’t cut it anymore. Go beyond the company’s “About” page. Review:
Press releases, LinkedIn updates, and annual reports.
Competitors and market shifts.
Employee reviews that reveal cultural themes and leadership style.
Then use what you learn to tailor your application materials. When you echo an employer’s current priorities—such as sustainability, digital transformation, being or customer experience—you demonstrate not only research skills but curiosity and alignment.
Upgrade Your Digital Resume and Presence
Your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and professional footprint often get evaluated by both humans and algorithms. Make sure they speak directly to the three things hiring managers crave: results, reliability, and fit.
Showcase measurable outcomes: “Increased client retention by 12%,” “Implemented automation that saved 10 weekly hours.”
Highlight collaboration: emphasize cross-functional work and adaptability.
Keep design professional and ATS-friendly. Simplicity and clarity win in 2025.
Ensure your LinkedIn activity aligns with your professional goals—your comments and posts reflect your reputation.
Bring a Positive, Growth-Oriented Mindset
Negativity kills trust. Hiring managers can sense frustration or desperation. Instead, frame challenges as lessons learned and emphasize ongoing development. If you’ve been upskilling through online courses, certifications, or volunteer work, mention it—it signals initiative and resilience.
How to Build Employer Confidence During the Interview
Lead With Curiosity
Ask thoughtful questions that reveal how you think about value, not just salary. One of the most effective questions remains: “Thinking about the person who was most successful in this role, what made them stand out?” This shows respect for the employer’s perspective and gives you a roadmap to connect your own experience directly to their needs.
Answer Directly—Then Expand
Avoid evasiveness. Nothing undermines trust faster than dodging questions. Listen carefully, address what’s asked, and then add context if appropriate. If you’re unsure or don’t have direct experience, be honest and pivot to how you’d handle a similar challenge.
Show Genuine Interest and Ownership
Many candidates end interviews without clearly signaling enthusiasm. Toward the end, confidently state your interest: “Ms. Rodriguez, I’m genuinely excited about this opportunity and believe my experience aligns with the goals you described. What are the next steps in your process?” That small moment of initiative demonstrates accountability and confidence—two traits hiring managers value highly.
How to Build Employer Confidence After the Interview
Send a Personalized Thank-You Message
Within 24 hours, send each interviewer a customized note (email is fine in 2025). Reference something specific from your conversation—an upcoming project, a shared value, or an organizational goal—and link it back to your strengths. If there was a concern during the interview, acknowledge it professionally and reinforce your ability to meet the challenge.
Follow Up Intentionally
Agree on a follow-up time during the interview—typically 7–10 days. When that time comes, send a concise, polite message reaffirming your interest and summarizing a key takeaway from your discussion. Consistent, professional follow-up demonstrates perseverance without appearing pushy.
The Mindset Shift: From Applicant to Asset
When you step into an employer’s world, you stop viewing the process as an audition and start approaching it as a collaboration. Employers aren’t searching for perfection—they’re searching for problem-solvers who help their teams succeed.
Look at every touchpoint of your job search—your résumé, your digital presence, your interview responses—as opportunities to answer an employer’s silent question: “Can I trust this person to make my job easier?”I know some of you are saying, “OK, Boomer, I do this before every interview without results!” Great! I’ve affirmed you’re doing the right things. You’re doing something else wrong that is yielding no results, or the job market isn’t buying what you’re selling.”
However, walking in an employer’s shoes is a more effective strategy than whining. When you understand what drives their decisions, you elevate yours. That shift, from applicant to partner, is what turns a job search into a career opportunity.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025
Last week, I released more content including:
2 Lessons From a Successful Job Search https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kXe
Negotiating Your Executive Job Offer https://wp.me/p4aIk1-of7
What Most People Miss About What A Hiring Manager Wants https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ofh
Increasing the Salary Offer https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2JL
Worried? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oeY
Cracking the Job Search Code: What’s Working https://youtu.be/HrTKbjhofoY
Biting the Hand that Feeds You https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hel
CAREER ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dEF
What is a Master Resume and Why You Should Have One https://wp.me/p4aIk1-m2f
Don’t Act Desperate! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2SZ
Stop Being So “Professional!” https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dvb
The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume https://youtu.be/TwNTfV7Dg0M
The Surprise Third Interview https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4xW
Sometimes Making Comparisons Is Smart https://wp.me/p4aIk1-27v
Hiring the Right People https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6Q
Career Coach Office Hours: Ask Me Anything About Job Search https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5xc
Think Gigs! https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1Nt
Ask Me Anything About Interviewing https://youtu.be/fW0EYrSu3Uk
Stop Using This Word When You Answer Questions https://wp.me/p4aIk1-m6O
No BS Career Advice: September 28, 2025 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ofL
Beyond the Assembly Line: Networking https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dk9
The Resume Trick That Lands Interviews https://wp.me/p4aIk1-og1
Success vs Happiness https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gxi
Negotiating Your Executive Offer https://wp.me/p4aIk1-og6
Hiring Isn’t About Finding the Best Person https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oga
The One Quality You Should Learn from Successful Recruiters https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6nW
10 Camera Blunders Sabotaging Your Video Interviews https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ogi
The Hidden Red Flags in Executive Job Offers https://youtu.be/Vl9tQ8QoXbI
Is It Common for Employers to Automatically Disqualify Applicants After One Rejection? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-m7y
Things Change. You Will Have to Change, Too. https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nI0
They Received 200 Resumes. How Do They Decide Who to Interview? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ogx
Why Most Resumes Still Fail (Plus 5 Tips For Success) https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ogt
The Game Lasts 60 Minutes https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ev
Can a Company Find Where I Really Work If It Is Not on My Resume? https://youtu.be/q_aYntDMuYQ
Is It Bad to Appear Too Eager in a Job Interview? https://wp.me/p4aIk1-m7C
Secret Interview Hack: Get Hired from Competitions https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ogG
Moving Up the Ladder https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h4w
Giving Yourself Permission To Get Off The Conveyor Belt https://wp.me/p4aIk1-foS
Job Hunting In A Troubled Economy https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kvs
X’s Untapped Potential https://youtu.be/KnO6qPSQlXI
Schedule a free discovery call with me at www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule to discuss my coaching you. My calendar has gotten full. I work with more senior-level talent than with individual contributors.
Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio in Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to or watch podcasts. Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday I release new episodes.
Become an Insider at JobSearch.Community and have your questions answered, receive coaching from me, plus access to all my video courses, books, and guides.
#BeGreat
Jeff Altman
