The Job of Job Searching

I’ve always been struck by how much effort we put into understanding the jobs we apply for. We scan every bullet point of a job description, read between the lines of vague corporate jargon, and try to decode what the role actually means. In my experience, the roles I've applied for like “Business Development Manager” or “Strategy Lead” had wide-ranging job descriptions depending on the company.

So we look closely. We research. We try to get clear on what’s expected... what we’d be responsible for if we got the job.

And yet, the moment we’re laid off we’re expected to jump in without a title, without a manager, without any sort of description at all. I've heard it time and time again, "Job searching is a full time job."

No one posts a listing for this role. And there’s no onboarding, no clarity on responsibilities, and no training materials.

You didn’t apply for this job. But here you are.

The Structure We Lost

But job searching doesn’t work that way.

There’s no team. No recurring meetings. No clearly defined KPIs. In fact, there’s really only one measure of success: get hired. That’s the entire scoreboard. That’s the only outcome that counts. And to make matters worse, this 'job' doesn't pay you bi-weekly. Woof.

The hard truth is that when you’re laid off you become a team of one. You’re the CEO of You, Inc.

The Many Hats

As 'Head of Sales' you're responsible for building a pipeline of leads (aka job openings), reaching out to contacts, and closing deals.

As 'Marketing Lead' you're crafting your brand, positioning yourself for the roles you want, and creating visibility through LinkedIn and personal outreach. Your resume is a marketing tool.

As 'Chief Product Officer' you're refining your skillset, improving your 'product market fit' because you are the product.

As 'COO' you're managing your calendar, staying organized, tracking applications and interviews.

And because someone has to manage your motivation, protect your energy, and keep you engaged in work, you're also 'HR'.

It’s a lot. And yet most people only do one thing... Apply to jobs. Click submit. Repeat. That's it. And it's not enough.

Your boss is you.

You’d ask: - What does success look like? - What should I focus on each day? - What tools do I need to perform?

To answer these questions, I created the LAND Routine. It’s the operating manual for executing the job of job searching.

The LAND Routine It’s built around four core activities you need to do every day: Learn. Apply. Network. Defend.

Learn: Invest in your future self. That could mean deepening an existing skill, or exploring a new one aligned with the roles you’re targeting. Learning creates confidence through competence.

Apply: Yes, you need to apply for jobs. But not aimlessly. Tailor your resume. Focus on roles that align with your direction. Pair your application with outreach when possible.

Network: Most jobs come from conversations, not job boards. Networking is about staying top-of-mind, sharing how you drive impact, and building relationships that create opportunities.

Defend (Your Energy): This part often gets ignored, but it’s vital. The job search requires energy, and energy isn’t infinite. Defend your time, your focus, your self-worth. Sustained efforts succeed.

When you do a little of each pillar every day, you create traction you can feel proud of. You may not control when interviews happen, but you can control whether you're working on the right things. And the LAND Routine helps you do exactly that.

What a Good Day Looks Like

8:00 – 8:30 AM Start your day with a walk. Create a commute. (Defend)

8:30 – 9:00 AM Scan job boards. Save roles. Capture them in your tracker. (Apply)

9:00 – 10:00 AM Take a course on something that sharpens your skills. (Learn)

10:00 – 12:00 PM Send check-ins to former colleagues. Schedule coffee. (Network)

12:00 – 1:00 PM Have a lunch break. Step away from the computer. (Defend)

1:00 – 3:00 PM Craft and send a few tailored applications. (Apply)

3:00 – 3:30 PM Expand your network. Make two new connections. (Network)

3:30 – 4:00 PM Clean up your inbox. Reflect. Plan tomorrow’s actions. ("CEO")

4:00 – 4:30 PM Close the day with something rewarding that rejuvenates. (Defend)

This is just an example. Some days will lean heavier on one pillar more than others. That’s normal. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency. If you touch all four areas, you’re doing the job and should be proud of yourself.

Doing the Work.

Will you do some applications and hope things pan out?

Or will you step into the role like a professional— intentional, steady, and focused?