How to Innovate to Stand Out From Competitors

What if the way forward in your job search isn’t in following the “playbook” everyone else does, but in rewriting it? Ask yourself this week: - If no one taught you how to land your next role, how would you go about it? - What if you stopped doing what everyone else is doing and started doing what actually makes sense for you? That’s where innovation happens! That’s how you start getting noticed! Most job seekers are playing it safe: the same resume templates, same online applications, same generic networking outreach. And it’s no surprise so many professionals are feeling invisible! But maybe the issue isn’t you or your experience. Maybe it’s the strategy! Here’s what doing it differently might look like: - Reaching out even if there’s no job posted - Turning your resume into a compelling career story, not just a timeline - Starting conversations instead of submitting cold applications - Creating a portfolio, a podcast, or even a short video that showcases how you think - Showing up where your ideal employers spend time, digitally and in real life You don’t need to follow the rules that weren’t made for you. You need a strategy that reflects who you are, what you value, and how you lead.

Girl, tweaking your resume hasn’t worked for the last 100 applications. It probably won’t work for the 101st. Let’s try something different. Here are three out of the box strategies you should try to stand out: 1. 🎙️The private podcast. Pick 10 to 15 hiring managers you’d love to work for. Record five short episodes just for them. Teach them something new. Share a result you’ve delivered. Send it with a note that says, “This isn’t public — it’s just for you.” 2. 📈Quarter in a box. Choose a company you want. Build a fake Q1 plan as if you already have the job. Show three goals you’d hit and the projects you’d run. Send it with “Your Q1, done.” 3. 🛠️One problem, three fixes. Find a real challenge their team is facing. Record three short videos over three days. Day 1 defines the problem. Day 2 shares two quick wins. Day 3 lays out a long-term fix. Send the playlist privately. This is how you skip the stack. This is how you make them feel like you’re already part of the team. If this feels like too much work, ask yourself, what’s your alternative? What do you think? Would you try any of these?

📢 To everyone in the job market: You’re more than a resume. Searching for jobs is exhausting. The waiting, the rejections, the self-doubt… it can wear you down. But I want to remind you that your value is not measured by how many interviews you land. You bring experience, creativity, resilience, and a unique perspective that no job posting can fully capture. If you feel stuck in your job search, consider stepping outside the traditional apply-and-wait approach. Here are some out-of-the-box, creative ways to stand out: 🔷 Show, Don’t Just Tell  Instead of just listing skills, create something to showcase your expertise. A case study, a mock strategy, a personal website, or even a short video introduction can leave a lasting impression. Visual storytelling is powerful. 🔷 Engage, Don’t Just Apply  Comment on industry leaders’ posts, share insights on LinkedIn, or write about trends in your field. Thoughtful engagement can get you noticed before you apply. 🔷 Pitch Yourself Differently  Consider an interactive presentation, a short project proposal, or a creative storytelling approach that aligns with the company’s mission. Don’t just rely on a traditional cover letter. 🔷 Network Beyond the Obvious  Attend niche virtual meetups, contribute to industry online groups, or start your own professional roundtable discussions. Many opportunities arise from conversations, not job boards. 🔷 Reverse-Engineer Opportunities Identify companies you admire, research their challenges, and reach out with tailored ideas on how you can add value. Use design thinking and product management principles. Initiative speaks volumes, and you don’t have to wait for job postings. 🔷 Reverse Mentorship Offer to mentor someone within your target company, in an area where you have unique expertise. It builds relationships and positions you as a valuable contributor before you're even hired. 🔷 Personalized Impact Reports Instead of just a resume, create a short report outlining the impact you could have on a company based on your skills and research. Quantify your potential contributions. 🔷 Tell an Impactful Story You are not just looking for a job. You are looking for your next opportunity to create impact. Use the STAR method to tell your story about your great work and impact with a clear format about the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Most importantly, keep going. With this intentional approach beyond what's on your resume, you're expanding your surface area of possibilities. New places, new people, an expanded network, a stronger brand about your work ethic and growth mindset... they all increase the likelihood of opportunities. And you’re more likely to find the right role where your skills, passions, and purpose align. What unique strategies have helped you stand out in your career journey? Share below and with someone in your network who is in the job market.