How to Stand Out in a Saturated Market

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱… 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀? If your resume says you “do everything,” you’re competing with 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲. And in this market, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 isn’t who gets hired. The fastest way to stand out? 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. It’s not about knowing every tool under the sun. But… you have to be 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. What do you mean, Broadus? ✅ Instead of “cloud generalist,” become the person who designs secure access systems. ✅ Instead of “AWS practitioner,” become the person who automates deployments flawlessly. ✅ Instead of “DevOps enthusiast,” become the person who can fix CI/CD pipelines in their sleep. When you do that, something shifts: 👉🏾 Recruiters know exactly where to place you. 👉🏾 Interviews focus on your strengths instead of exposing your weaknesses. 👉🏾 You stop blending in with the stack of other “I do everything” candidates. When I landed my first cloud role, it wasn’t because I knew everything. It was because I doubled down on 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 and made sure every project, every story, and every conversation highlighted it. 👉🏾 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗔𝗖. 👉🏾 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 So think about it like this… While you’re learning all this cloud stuff, there are things that stick out that you REALLY like. Dive into those even more. Become the specialist there. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀 “𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁”?

I can't tell you the last time I looked at a resume in over 12 years of hiring, and I've hired many people. It's not even a nonstarter. I don't even think about it. I know others will disagree with me, but I don't find any value in the PDF version of your LinkedIn page. I'll just go to LinkedIn. But don't despair; there are many ways to garner attention, be introduced, or stand out. 1. Follow-up notes - it's incredible how often I do not receive a follow-up message after a conversation. It's so easy to do. Here's my opinion on the best follow-up message setup: (1) Thank the person for their time. (2) Bullet point a couple of things you learned from the conversation (3) Ask a question to re-engage. Send the follow-up within an hour of the interview. Send a note to each participant if it's a group meeting or panel. IMPORTANT: If you don't get a response after your first note, could you send a couple more? People are busy, and the inbox is even busier. 2. Use video - I always appreciate it when an applicant uses Loom or another video provider to send an introduction or thank you video. It's a rare occurrence that surprises me due to its ease of use. 3. Please research the role and be sure you are a fit. Are you framing your qualifications to match what the hiring managers are looking for? Ensure you fully understand what you are applying for. 4. Research the team and understand the company. Who are your hiring manager's peers? Who else would you want to meet? If you are interviewing with the CMO, contact the CRO or VP of Sales and try to schedule a meeting. It doesn't hurt to ask. There is no excuse not to research with tools like LinkedIn available to you. 5. Get an introduction before applying - Once you research and meet a couple of people from the company, ask for an introduction. I can count on both hands how often I've received an introduction from a team member for a role I am hiring for. Even better, if you are a referral from a trusted peer, you go to the top of the list, no matter what. 6. Prepare with questions—Spend an inordinate amount of time listing out questions you want to ask the interviewer. Discuss the role expectations, but don't forget to ask questions specifically about them, such as "Why did you choose to work here?" etc. Hiring great people isn’t about resumes but connections, preparation, and effort. Don’t rely on the same old playbook if you want to stand out. Get creative, do the work, and show why you’re the best fit for the role. The good news? Most people won’t do these things. That’s your edge.

“Being ‘qualified’ isn’t enough. Here’s how to stand out in clinical research.” Early in my career, I thought hard work alone would open doors. I followed the traditional path—got the right degrees, gained experience, and expected opportunities to follow. But I quickly realized something: being qualified doesn’t make you memorable. In a competitive industry like clinical research, the professionals who rise aren’t just capable—they’re visible. They know how to position themselves, build strategic relationships, and demonstrate their value beyond what’s written on a résumé. So, how do you stand out from the crowd? 🔹 Own Your Niche – Are you a site operations expert? A regulatory powerhouse? A protocol development pro? Identify your superpower and make it known. 🔹 Build Your Online Presence – LinkedIn isn’t just for job hunting. Share insights, engage in discussions, and show thought leadership— opportunities will come to you. 🔹 Network with Intention – Stop waiting for connections to happen organically. Reach out, attend industry events, and nurture relationships that matter. 🔹 Keep Learning & Applying – Certifications like CCRA, CCRP, or PMP help, but what really sets you apart is how you apply that knowledge to solve real problems. 🔹 Be Proactive, Not Reactive – Don’t just do your job—think ahead. Anticipate challenges, suggest solutions, and position yourself as the go-to person in your team. The clinical research industry is full of talented professionals. But the ones who truly stand out are those who take control of their narrative. So, ask yourself—are you blending in, or are you making your mark? Drop a comment: What’s one thing you do to stand out in your clinical research career? 👇

I am wrapping up our hiring process for our first two sales roles at Lawfully. We had over 700 applicants apply—standing out isn’t easy. For these roles I was the recruiter, hiring manager, and executive sponsor. Here’s my advice on how to stand out: Getting Through to the First Stage— 1. Reach out directly to the recruiter, hiring manager, or executive sponsor I gave priority to candidates who reached out personally. Some sent LinkedIn DMs, while others crafted thoughtful cold emails. Two memorable examples: one email had the subject line “Matt, I’m skiing my way into your inbox,” and another featured a personalized video introducing herself and addressing common interview questions. Make sure your outreach is thoughtful, creative, and mindful of people’s time. Done right, it sets you apart Done poorly, it can backfire. 2. Make your Linkedin look professional Many applicants had unprofessional profile photos, large employment gaps, or short stints at companies. While you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, with 700 applicants to review, these things can quickly lead to being passed over. You control your LinkedIn narrative and the professional story it tells. Demonstrate to recruiters that you can commit and follow through. 3. Use the right professional jargon. For this SDR role, candidates with SDR experience were fast-tracked to interviews. Ensure your job titles and descriptions align with industry standards to avoid being missed. Make it clear what you do, especially if your role mirrors the position you’re applying for. Getting Through the Interview Stage— 1. Research the company before your interview. Out of 60 people I interviewed, only one could identify our competitors, and few provided detailed responses about our products and services. One candidate couldn’t name a single thing about Lawfully, while another was clearly reading straight off our homepage. Take the time to learn about the company. It shows genuine interest and sets you apart. 2. Answer all the questions. I evaluated candidates on several criteria, including experience, passion, coach-ability, and their ability to learn. To gauge learning, I asked their favorite books—professional or otherwise. If someone admitted they didn’t read, it was a quick signal to move on. 3. Answer positively and tie it back to the role and your strengths. Strike the right balance between positivity and authenticity. Candidates who dwelled on negative experiences sent a clear sign they weren’t the right fit. 4. Align your answers with company & hiring manager goals When candidates nailed this, they were an automatic pass. One standout example was a candidate who asked about our goals right at the start of the interview. Throughout the conversation, he consistently explained how he would help us reach our milestone. I’ve got 20 more tips to share—including what it takes to crush the final round. Drop a comment, and I’ll send them your way!

🤔 Not "Fully Qualified"? Apply Anyway! Here's How to Stand Out. If you’ve ever looked at a job posting and thought, I don’t meet every qualification, so I shouldn’t apply, think again. Companies don’t always hire based on a perfect checklist—often, they choose candidates who bring the right mindset, potential, and transferable skills. 🚀 Take the SpaceX engineer who landed his role amidst hundreds of applicants despite not meeting all the listed qualifications. While he lacked experience with a specific propulsion system, he demonstrated an exceptional ability to solve complex engineering challenges and a relentless drive to learn. SpaceX saw his problem-solving mindset as more valuable than checking every box, and they knew he would quickly acquire the missing technical skills on the job. So, how do you reflect your potential in your résumé to get past the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and into the hands of a human? 📌 1. Focus on Transferable Skills Don’t have experience with that software? Highlight a similar one you’ve mastered. If the job requires Excel but you’ve used a wide variety of other similar software, showcase your ability to utilize spreadsheets for specific activities such as data organization, tracking, and visualization. Recruiters value adaptability over exact software matches. 📌 2. Address Experience Gaps Strategically If a role asks for 7+ years of experience and you have 5, don’t disqualify yourself. Show how your results in those 5 years outweigh what most achieve in 7. Use impact-driven bullet points that highlight measurable achievements and how they will add value to the role. 📌 3. Optimize for ATS & Human Eyes Mirror the job description’s keywords—especially in your Skills and Experience sections—but do so honestly. If you’re familiar with Excel but are not an expert, list it as Effective user of a variety of spreadsheet software including X, Y, Z and a familiarity with Excel rather than omitting it entirely. 📌 4. Show Your Learning Mindset If a technical requirement is missing from your background, show that you're actively learning it. Adding “Currently learning XYZ through Coursera/Udemy/Certifications” in your Professional Development section proves initiative. Always be growing in your field of interest to increase your employment value. 📌 5. Use a Powerful Cover Letter If you’re missing a requirement but bring something even more valuable, explain why you’re the right fit anyway. Highlight examples of times you’ve quickly picked up new skills and delivered results. Perhaps relate your need to think and make decisions quickly when playing professional level sports, or during crisis situation that resulted in success. 📢 Bottom Line: Many companies prioritize proven potential over perfection. If you believe you can bring value, apply anyway—but tailor your résumé strategically to get past the filters. Have you ever landed a job where you weren’t a “perfect” match? Share your story! 👇

One of the most common questions I hear from job seekers is, "How do I stand out in the application process?" 🤔 And, I get it. In a world where 'Easy Apply' is used by everybody and their brother, resumes and cover letters are looking one and the same, and positions are highly competitive, it's important to set yourself apart from other applicants. Most of the time, I see job seekers wanting to set themselves apart in their application materials. But, truthfully, I don't think this is the way to go (at least, not fully) 😶 Especially not when... ➡ Employee referrals are 4x more likely to be hired ➡ Roughly 80% of job openings are NEVER advertised ➡ Nearly 80% of jobs are filled through networking efforts Yes, your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are important. These materials need to highlight your skills, achievements, personal brand, and character. But, people = jobs 💼 If you want to approach your job search proactively and with the right mindset, you might want to... ✅ Identify alumni, current employees, and hiring managers to network with. Get industry advice on your career materials, information about application processes, and referrals if the opportunity is a good fit. ✅ Spend less time on volume of applications and more time on quality of applications. Every application you submit should have a person 'attached' to it in some way (you know someone on the hiring team, you met a future colleague at a networking event, etc.). ✅ Prepare samples of your work to share. Showing an example of your work and skillset in an interview, networking call, or cold outreach message goes a long way. Whether that means pulling up your LinkedIn profile to show some of your Featured items or toggling over to your GitHub, examples demonstrate more than words! I share more insights on the hashtag #JobSearch in my recent TikTok 💼 Check it out below! https://lnkd.in/ggfQytUV

Stop sending out 100 meaningless applications. One targeted role can change your career. Job searching feels VERY overwhelming right now. But it doesn’t have to feel endless—or hopeless. Here’s what I’ve learned after helping dozens of professionals land jobs recently: ☑️ 1. Target the RIGHT roles. Don’t adopt an “open to anything” mindset. Focus on roles that align with your skills and aspirations. When you’re specific and hone in on roles that incorporate most transferable skills, you have more ability to stand out. The more time you spend on "open to anything" the more your energy goes to the wrong places. ☑️ 2. Prepare the right Career Story. Your resume and LinkedIn profile should not read as a job description! It’s more than that—build strong STORIES and show your achievements that highlight your most transferable skills. You can do this through adding detail to resume, portfolio or a landing page website that highlights your experience vs only using generic keywords. ☑️3. Stop the cycle of meaningless applications. It’s tempting to apply for everything, but quality beats quantity every 👏 time 👏. A tailored application for one role is more impactful than 50 generic submissions. ☑️4. Build experience along the way. When you've hit a wall, try offering your skills to projects or freelance opportunities to your network to get your foot in the door and build up your personal brand. A small chance to showcase your skills can open more doors long term. ☑️5. Go deep on TARGET companies. Make your list of ~10 top companies, and approach each and every role with a much more in-depth approach. Think of each company as its own project - its much more authentic and will conserve your energy to the places you are truly excited about. The truth? Fixing your resume alone won’t land you a job. Opportunities come from strategy, clarity, and confidence in your approach. Need help with job search in your career path? ♻️ Drop a comment below or share with your network and I'll help!

Don’t spend time on things you can’t control. Not in your career, and not in your life When I coach people that are looking for their next opportunity, I always recommend analyzing what they’re doing, and if that’s not generating the results they’re expecting, understand what might be going wrong, find different alternatives, but always spend 99.9% of their time on the things they can control. If you are, for instance, applying for roles and only getting rejections, that might be a sign that there could be a problem with your [resume, interviewing skills, not meeting the minimum requirements, etc.]. But it could also be the market that is saturated. Or the company is on a hiring freeze. Or many other reasons. What can you do? Control what you can control: 1. Read job descriptions carefully. Make sure you meet the minimum qualifications before applying to the job 2. Understand what are the main skills needed across the board 3. Do a personal SWOT analysis and use your strengths/skills to describe opportunities and how they add value to the organization 4. Choose your top 2-3 examples from past experiences (that relates to the job the most) and use them to write your resume bullet points 5. Choose your top 5-10 companies, add them to a document and search for recruiters on LinkedIn (connect with them not to send your resume only, but to network) 6. Consider side gigs and freelance while searching for a job (bills need to be covered) 7. Continue developing your skills and your job search portfolio Ultimately, spending time on things we can’t control is the quickest way to disappointment and feeling like giving up. Let’s spend time and energy on what we can control, and continue working for what we need. We got this. #StephSynergy

When I decided to go out on my own, I had no idea how to secure my first project management gig. But I knew one thing. I needed to find a way to stand out in a crowded market. I didn’t have a massive portfolio or a brand backing me. Just my skills and the drive to prove myself. Here’s how I did it. 1. I focused on one industry. I didn’t try to appeal to every potential client. I chose tech startups because I knew their pain points. 2. I crafted one offer. Instead of listing everything I could do, I created a package specifically for product launches. Simple, clear, and exactly what they needed. 3. I used one channel. LinkedIn was my battlefield. I optimized my profile, engaged with relevant posts, and reached out to decision-makers directly. I remember thinking: “Why would they hire me over someone with more experience?” But then it happened. A founder reached out. He was launching a new product and needed someone who understood both tech and timelines. That first job wasn’t huge, but it was my foot in the door. And from there, things snowballed. So, if you’re struggling with this, my advice is this: • Pick one industry. • Create one killer offer. • Go all in on one channel.    You don’t need a huge portfolio. You just need the right approach. P.S. Not sure how to start? DM me to discuss.

Four media interviews. Four different audiences. One surprising pattern. Recently featured in: • StartupNation: "How I Got 300,000 LinkedIn Followers—— And the Secrets Every Founder Should Steal" • SUCCESS.com: "Top Tips on How to Make a Good Presentation" • Forbes: "How To Become The CEO Of Your Own Career" • Goldie Chan’s First in the Door: Going from overlooked to unforgettable Every interviewer asked a version of the same question: "What's the #1 mistake professionals make with visibility?" My answer: They're visible in all the wrong ways. → Posting constantly but saying nothing memorable → Speaking up in meetings but not adding value → Networking everywhere but building relationships nowhere Here's what actually works: 1️⃣ On LinkedIn: Comment before you post. Take the pressure off and add to conversations in a more low-stakes way. 2️⃣ In presentations: Lead with the problem or takeaway, not your credentials or presentation title. Hook them fast. 3️⃣ For your career: Stop waiting for permission. Start documenting your wins weekly. 4️⃣ With presence: It's not about taking up more space. It's about making the space you take up count. The professionals who stand out aren't doing more. They're doing it differently. And that's exactly what I teach in 𝙐𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚—how to get seen, gain influence, and catapult your career without burning out or selling out. Ready to stop being the best-kept secret? Y/N: Do you feel invisible despite working harder than everyone else? * * * * * * 👋I'm Lorraine—keynote speaker and bestselling author. I help rising leaders build an unforgettable presence and stand out at work. Follow for more actionable career tips! ♻️ Reshare if this resonated with you! 📘PS: Want more strategies for building professional presence? Check out 𝙐𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 here: https://amzn.to/3Hdv79r