Job-Search Strategy Session to Land More Interviews
If you are sending applications and hearing very little back, you do not necessarily need to “try harder”; you need a better job-search strategy. My one-to-one Job-Search Strategy Session is designed to give you the tools, structure and feedback you need to run a focused job search and secure interviews for roles that genuinely fit.
Together, we will review how you are positioning yourself, where you are applying, how your CV and LinkedIn profile are performing, and what needs to change so your efforts start turning into real opportunities.
What Is a Job-Search Strategy Session?
A Job-Search Strategy Session is a focused, practical conversation where we analyse your current job search, identify what is not working and build a clear, data-driven plan to move forward. Instead of guessing why applications are not converting, we look at the whole picture:
- How well your CV and cover letters match your target roles.
- Whether Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can “read” your CV and surface it to hiring managers.
- How you are using LinkedIn, recruiters and networking to uncover opportunities.
- Which channels (job boards, direct outreach, recruiters) are worth more of your time.
- What numbers you should be tracking – applications, interviews, responses – so you can adjust based on evidence, not guesswork.
The goal is simple: a clearer, more effective job-search strategy that gives you a higher interview hit rate without burning you out.
Who This Job-Search Strategy Service Is For
This service is a good fit if you recognise yourself in any of these situations:
- You are sending lots of applications but receiving very few replies or interviews.
- You are getting first-round interviews but struggling to move to offers.
- You are changing sector, location or role level and are not sure how to adapt your approach.
- You have been out of the market for a while due to redundancy, a break or relocation.
- You have a CV, but no structured plan for how, where and when to use it.
If you are still unclear about what you want next, you may also want to look at my career coaching services. If your documents are the main issue, my CV writing services, including
no-experience CVs, graduate CVs, professional CVs and executive CV writing, may be the best starting point.
Optimising Your CV for ATS & Target Roles
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) play a major role in modern hiring. If they cannot read or understand your CV, you may never reach a human decision-maker. As part of your job-search strategy, we will:
- Demystify ATS. Understand how ATS filters CVs using keywords, structure and formatting.
- Align your job title and headline. Adjust your CV’s job title and sub-headline to match the roles you are targeting, without misrepresenting your experience.
- Refocus your achievements. Adapt and reorder key achievements so they speak directly to the requirements in the job description.
- Highlight the right skills. Identify role-specific skills and integrate them into your profile, key skills and experience sections in a natural way.
If your CV needs more fundamental work, we may decide to combine this session with my CV writing service, so your documents and job-search strategy support one another.
Why Choose My Job-Search Strategy Service?
- Optimise your CV for ATS and humans.
Learn how to tailor your CV so it passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and makes immediate sense to hiring managers, highlighting skills, achievements and keywords that align with your target roles. - LinkedIn profile mastery.
Turn your LinkedIn profile into a job-search asset, not an afterthought. We will look at how to increase visibility, connect with relevant professionals and attract potential employers. - A bespoke job-search plan.
Instead of copying generic advice, you will leave with a plan based on your strengths, your industry and your goals, covering CVs, LinkedIn, networking, recruiters and applications. - Trackable progress and results.
You will learn simple methods to organise and monitor your applications so you can see what is working, identify gaps and stay focused rather than overwhelmed.
How the Job-Search Strategy Session Works
Here is what a typical Job-Search Strategy Session looks like:
01
Career Assessment.
We start by analysing your skills, achievements and career goals. You share your current CV, any job descriptions you are targeting and (if you have one) your existing tracking sheet.
02
We look at your CV and LinkedIn profile through the lens of your target roles and ATS. You will get clear, practical recommendations to improve both.
03
We map out where you should be focusing your energy, from job boards and direct applications to recruiters and networking, and how to tailor your applications for roles aligned with your expertise.
04
Progress Tracking.
We establish simple systems to track your job search, evaluate outcomes and refine your approach over time. You will leave with a structured plan you can follow week by week.
Tools & Techniques to Improve Your Job Search
We will also look at practical tools you can use to strengthen your job-search strategy and identify the keywords and requirements that really matter:
Job description analysis.
We review live job descriptions together to spot patterns in
language, skills and requirements.
Keyword identification.
You will learn simple methods to extract key words and phrases manually, using your browser’s “Find” function and other accessible tools.
CV–job match checks.
We explore how to compare your CV against a specific role, so you can quickly see where your content is strong and where it needs to be tightened.
Using AI sensibly.
Where appropriate, I will show you how to use AI tools as a helper (not a replacement) to check alignment and wording, while still keeping your CV authentic and human.
The aim is not to become dependent on tools, but to give you a simple, repeatable way to improve every application you send.
Working With Recruiters & Using LinkedIn Effectively
A strong job-search strategy goes beyond job boards. We will also look at how you can work with recruiters and use LinkedIn more strategically:
Recruiter Engagement
- How to contact recruiters directly to discuss roles, rather than waiting for them to come to you.
- How to present your experience and target roles clearly, so they know who to think of you for.
- How to offer value in return, for example, introductions or sector insights, to build longer-term relationships.
LinkedIn Best Practices
- Joining relevant industry groups and contributing to discussions to increase your visibility.
- Reposting content with brief, thoughtful commentary to build credibility.
- Using LinkedIn search to find roles, decision-makers and mutual connections.
- Balancing public activity with privacy and sensitivity if you are currently employed.
If your profile needs more in-depth work, we can also look at my LinkedIn profile writing services.
Meet Brendan – Your Job-Search Strategy Partner
Hi, I’m Brendan Hope, Executive CV Writer and Director of Brendan Hope CV Writing. Alongside writing CVs, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, I work with clients one-to-one on their job-search strategy so their efforts translate into real progress.
I have helped graduates, professionals and executives across a wide range of industries move from scattered applications to a more focused, effective job search, often with higher interview rates and more relevant opportunities.
If you feel you are working hard but not getting the results you want, I would be glad to help you untangle what is going wrong and build a clearer plan.
Job-Search Strategy Confidentiality
At Brendan Hope CV Writing, I recognise that job searching can be sensitive, especially if you are currently employed. Any information you share, including your CV, target roles and concerns about your current situation, is treated confidentially.
Brendan Hope Ltd is registered with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and all personal data is managed in line with GDPR. Your details are never shared with third parties, and any notes or plans we create are stored securely.
You can read more in my Privacy Policy, or contact me if you have questions about confidentiality before booking.
Where I Offer Job-Search Strategy Sessions
I provide job-search strategy support remotely to clients across the United Kingdom and internationally. Sessions are delivered online or by phone, making it easy to work together whether you are based in London, the East Midlands or overseas.
I frequently support clients in:
- London
- Grantham
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Leeds
- Nottingham
- Northampton
- Lincoln
- And across the wider UK and abroad.
You can also view my full range of service areas for more detail.
Job-Search Strategy Success Stories
Many clients come to me after months of applying with very little to show for it. Once we adjust their strategy, documents and approach, they often see a noticeable shift in the quality and volume of responses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Job-Search Strategy
Here are some common questions about my Job-Search Strategy Session. If you do not see your question here, you are welcome to ask a different question.
How is a Job-Search Strategy Session different from career coaching?
Career coaching looks more broadly at your direction, identity and long-term goals. A Job-Search Strategy Session is focused on execution: how you present yourself, where you apply, how you use LinkedIn and networking, and how you track your progress. Many clients choose to use both at different stages.
Can we also work on my CV and LinkedIn during the session?
Yes. Your CV and LinkedIn profile are central to your job search, so we will always review them in the context of your target roles. If they need more extensive work, we can combine this session with my CV writing service and LinkedIn profile writing services.
How many sessions will I need?
Some clients get what they need from a single, focused session and the action plan that follows. Others prefer a short series of sessions so we can review their numbers, adjust the strategy and keep momentum going. We can decide together after the first session.
Will this help if I have been unemployed for a long time?
Yes. A structured job-search strategy is especially important if you have been out of the market for a while. We will look at how to present any gaps, where to focus your search and how to rebuild confidence step by step.
Is this suitable if I am applying from outside the UK?
I am UK-based and most of my work focuses on the UK job market, but I regularly support clients who are applying to UK roles from overseas. We will take into account any location-specific considerations in your applications and LinkedIn presence.
How do I get started?
You can either book an introductory call to discuss your situation, or request a free CV review if you would like initial feedback on your documents. From there, we will agree the most effective next step together.
Ready to Build a Stronger Job-Search Strategy?
If you are tired of guessing what is going wrong in your job search, a structured Job-Search Strategy Session can help you regain control and move forward with a clear plan.