Want a job? Stop whining and prove it

Still unemployed? It’s not the system. It’s your strategy. Learn what serious job seekers are doing to actually get hired

Want a job? Prove it. In today’s cutthroat job market, desire alone doesn’t cut it—you need visible, strategic action. The hired aren’t always the most qualified, but they’re almost always the most prepared.

I see it all the time: people claiming they want a job, but their actions say otherwise:

• No LinkedIn banner
• No profile photo
• Résumés and profiles full of opinions instead of hard evidence
• No outreach to people who can help them
• A firm grip on limiting beliefs and tired narratives
• And of course, the classic “I’m a victim of [insert excuse here]” card

When I review someone’s résumé, LinkedIn profile and digital footprint, I often wonder if they really want a job. Because if they did, it sure doesn’t look like it.

Let’s be honest. Many job seekers aren’t willing to work harder than they did in easier job markets, and today, that disconnect is career-ending. White-collar jobs are disappearing fast. Hiring isn’t happening for those who kinda want it. It’s happening for those willing to sacrifice comfort, show their value and resist the lure of LinkedIn pity parties.

Strong desire is only the starting point. If you don’t translate that into action, it’s just noise.

Let’s begin with what employers see first: your online presence. LinkedIn is the new front line.

Your digital billboard

Your LinkedIn banner is your billboard. Your business card. Your “Hey, look at me!” space. If it’s blank—or worse, generic—you’re telling the world you’re not serious. You’re handing opportunity a “do not disturb” sign.

Show your face

No profile photo? You look like a bot. Or a scammer. Or someone hiding something. Want to be taken seriously? Post a clean, professional headshot. It’s that simple. People hire people they trust, and no one trusts a blank square.

Tell a story worth reading

Most LinkedIn summaries are painful. Buzzword soup. Vague aspirations. Nothing that makes the reader say, “This person can help us.” You need a story—one that shows who you are, what you’ve done and why you matter. Can’t write it yourself? Hire someone. This isn’t the place to wing it.

And back that story with receipts

A strong story gets attention, but numbers seal the deal. Résumés and LinkedIn profiles should be drenched in data. Achievements. Impact. Evidence. Not “managed projects,” but how many, what size and what came of it. Employers hire for results. If they have to guess whether you can deliver them, they won’t bother.

Network like you mean it

Now that your story’s in place, get it in front of people. Serious job seekers talk to everyone. They don’t hide behind “I’m shy.” They don’t apply and hope. They connect. They follow up. They become the person who comes to mind when someone hears about an opening.

It’s never been easier to build a network, yet I still meet people with 20 years of experience and zero connections. No presence. No reputation. Then they act surprised when nobody calls them back.

Networking tip: When you meet someone new, ask, “How can I help this person?” That simple shift changes everything.

Stop waiting. Stop blaming. Start acting

Of course, all of this takes effort, and that’s exactly where many people check out, blaming everything but their own approach. Tired of hearing about ATS filters, AI bots and unfair hiring processes? So is everyone else. Yes, the system’s flawed, but other people are still getting hired. Why? Because they adapted. They stopped blaming and started working.

Your résumé isn’t magic. It won’t do the heavy lifting for you—especially when you’re one of hundreds of applicants.

Here’s what actually works:

• Making a clear case for why you
• Showing results, not just potential
• Having real conversations—not just wishful thinking
• Backing up your story with numbers
• Presenting a 120-day plan to prove you’re ready
• Offering to do a test assignment to show you’re the real deal

Others are getting hired. So can you. But only if you’re willing to work as hard as they did.

Want it badly? Then act like it.

Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job.