The job market lately can be described in one word “mixy.” It’s not as welcoming and endearing as it once was. Mixed signals in dating terms; you go after a role to seal the deal, have rounds of interviews and sadly, come up short. In other cases, you can be one of those applicants constantly swiping to find that right connection with a job and lose interest. Here’s where a few of us reach slight stumps, not only are we picky… we self-consciously count ourselves out after seeing a few qualifications, skills and years of experience needed… just pursue it anyways.
I know it sounds a lot like thirst, however, let’s present ourselves to make it look and feel more appealing. With the market display of selectiveness, serve it right back. Wait…don’t go and add a bunch of imaginary role descriptions to the resume, there’s about 70% of applicants who falsify their age, experience or title to get a look. Today’s advantages? We have multiple researching tools where people in companies are a search away. No more applying to a wide net, get personal and be intentional.
Research five companies you’d actually want to work and find 2-3 people in roles you desire. Invite them for a coffee/pastry and ask them for a recommendation, one coffee per week for it to maintain a relationship. If you’re in school, consider this to be a stepping stone to building a skillset. As you set up those meetings make sure you are clear and direct on the goal. Ask yourself, why do you want this person to help and write a recommendation? Yes, we want the job; however, finding the connection factor amongst you both, along with a brief overview of the person’s role, would help to aligns their experience with your interests.
Skip the networking events that feel like speed dating. Find the intimate gatherings, workshop sessions, the places where real conversations happen. Your next opportunity may not come from a job board, it could come from someone who respects and appreciate your drive. Get a head start on the hustle, quantity without strategy is just expensive busy work.
To maximize these handpicked opportunities, ensure your Gradient profile is current and complete – it's your gateway to the roles and experiences that align with your ambitions.
😉 Poll Question
Have you ever lied on your resume/cover letter or during a interview?
📰 Must-Read Articles
Kickstart your month with these quick, insightful reads.
According to FlexJobs' Job Search Trends Report, about one-third (33%) of workers admitted to lying on their resume or cover letter. The report, released on July 16, surveyed over 2,200 people in the U.S. to learn more about their job search experiences and understand the current pressures and priorities of workers.
In July 2020, Dominick Lewis started a GoFundMe campaign to make his dream come true. He wanted to open a camera store in Brooklyn, a lively area with many artists and small businesses. He aimed to raise $25,000 to get enough support for his project.
🗞 More articles to explore!
Tala Rae Schlossberg’s mixed media animations are sensitive analogue worlds - read more
Sally-Ann Dale, former Droga5 head of production, dies at 55 - read more
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 3 gets a price cut to just $169 for a limited time - read more
How to Discover Who You Are As A Brand - read more
OpenAI Launches GPT-5 In ChatGPT To All Users - read more
YouTube Lets Creators Pick Exact CTAs In Promote Website Ads - read more
💼 Job Openings
Your next career move starts here.
See featured jobs or browse 2,000+ listings on our job board.
🚀 Opportunities
Want to get your work noticed? Or maybe master a new skill? We've handpicked a selection of awards and programs that can help you shine brighter and achieve your goals. Explore these opportunities and unlock your potential.
Apply Now! Ready to amplify your storytelling? The Blavity Creator Collective Fellowship offers video creators the chance to collaborate with their editorial team while reaching over 250 million monthly users. As a fellow, you'll create original content with creative autonomy, receive a stipend, and connect with a community of expert storytellers - all without the pressure to post on your own channels. This quarterly program is perfect for natural storytellers who want to focus on authentic content creation and meaningful collaboration.
🗓 Upcoming Events
Stay ahead with events that matter to you! Whether you’re looking to learn or network, we’ve got something coming up that’s worth your time.
Data is becoming more important in our lives and businesses, not just for growth but also for making positive changes in the world. Marketing, which combines different fields like psychology and computer science, is in a great position to use and learn from this data revolution. It helps us understand ourselves, others, and how we can improve the world. To make the most of data, we need to think in new ways. As researchers, we should use different and new types of data, which will require new methods, theories, and teamwork with other fields like medicine and law. We need to be open to new ideas that can enhance our understanding. The 2025 AMA Summer Academic Conference will be a place for collaboration, building strong relationships, inspiring bold ideas, and focusing on the human side of our work.
Register Now!
(Virtual August 18th)
(In-person August 22nd-24th)
✨More events to explore✨
Hook, Line & Offer| Interview Prep for Success
August 19th
Virtual
Beyond the Funnel: A Playground Approach to Lifecycle Marketing
August 20th
Virtual
NYC Social Media Networking for Content Creators, Advertisers, Influencers
August 21st
New York, NY
CEX 2025 (Content Entrepreneur Expo)
August 24th
Cleveland, OH
Los Angeles Job Fair- Sales and Management Focused
August 26th
Los Angeles, CA
AI Tinkerers: AI Tinkerers August Demo Day ft Auth0
August 26th
New York, NY
Culture Con (Early Bird Tickets Available Now!)
October 4th - 5th
Brooklyn, NY
Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected]
🌟 Thank you for being a part of our community!
Keep pushing Q3 with momentum, connections, and clarity building. While others applies for whatever is available for them, you've been strategically positioning yourself for what's ahead.
The creative industry's rhythm is getting closer to fall season, and this is time to make every move meticulous.
Continue to stay involved. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for daily insights, and remember that your updated Gradient profile is your best tool for capturing late-summer opportunities.
Our next edition drops September 1st with everything you need to start another month strong. Until then, keep creating, keep connecting, and keep claiming your space.
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Learn from this investor’s $100m mistake
In 2010, a Grammy-winning artist passed on investing $200K in an emerging real estate disruptor. That stake could be worth $100+ million today.
One year later, another real estate disruptor, Zillow, went public. This time, everyday investors had regrets, missing pre-IPO gains.
Now, a new real estate innovator, Pacaso – founded by a former Zillow exec – is disrupting a $1.3T market. And unlike the others, you can invest in Pacaso as a private company.
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