It is undeniable that looking for a job can be soul-destroying, particularly if you have been made redundant. In no time, you go from complaining about Teams calls and fantasising about quitting to lying awake in bed at 3am, wondering if you will ever work again. In a job market as competitive and brutal as ever, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by applications, networking and securing that elusive contact.
We asked Tim Castle, bestselling author and performance coach, for concrete steps to maximise your chances. According to Castle, many of us make the same mistakes: telling ourselves the market is impossible, losing momentum and spending weeks firing cut-and-paste CVs into the void. However, a few simple tweaks can drastically increase the chance of bagging your dream role while keeping you happier, healthier and more mentally stable.
Treat Finding a Job Like It Is Your Job
When looking for a job, it is easy to fall into what Castle calls 'daytime TV chaos' – late lie-ins and days spent in front of television, while emails pile up unanswered. He says structure matters far more than people realise. Instead of treating unemployment as a strange limbo period, approach the search exactly as you would a normal working day: get up, get dressed, work set hours and get out of the house.
'Make a plan, then get up and show up like you normally would each day,' he says. 'The difference now is that instead of selling someone else's products or services, you are selling the most important one: yourself.' Psychologically, that shift matters. People who see redundancy as a temporary transition rather than a personal failure tend to move faster, network better, recover confidence and get into another role more quickly.
Start Every Morning with '9 before 9'
One of Castle's most interesting tips is '9 before 9.' Before 9am every morning, make contact with nine potential opportunities. That could mean emails, LinkedIn messages, DMs, recruiters, old colleagues or companies you admire, even if they are not actively advertising roles.
Most people massively underestimate how much job hunting is about visibility and momentum rather than endlessly tweaking bullet points on a CV. 'Be first in their inbox, DMs or on the phone,' Castle says. 'Whatever it takes to move from unknown to someone to meet with.' While nine contacts a day may sound excessive, volume is key to cracking the current job market. Waiting passively for the 'perfect' role to appear is usually far less effective than creating multiple conversations at once.
Swallow Your Pride and Start Networking
Everyone thinks they hate networking, largely because it conjures images of awkward events with lukewarm wine. But Castle argues that most jobs are still found through relationships rather than applications. Stop waiting for invitations and start actively creating opportunities to meet others: coffee catch-ups, industry talks, lunches, conferences, alumni groups, networking breakfasts – all of it matters more than people think.
'The conversations that light you up are usually the ones that lead somewhere,' he says. Crucially, expand outside your usual circle rather than repeatedly speaking to the same people you already know. You never know when a conversation will lead to a discussion about a 'casual' opportunity you had not seen advertised.
Spruce Up Your LinkedIn
Most people's LinkedIn profiles are far worse than they think, full of vague corporate jargon like 'results-driven professional' and 'dynamic team player.' Instead, Castle says your profile should immediately explain who you help, what value you bring and what results you have delivered. The same goes for your CV. Rather than generic descriptions, employers want specifics: what did you improve? How much money did you make or save? What changed because you were there? In a crowded market, clarity is often more powerful than trying to sound impressive.
Ask for Referrals – Not Just Advice
One of Castle's firmest assertions is that referrals are worth dramatically more than cold applications. A recommendation from somebody already trusted inside a company gives hiring managers 'borrowed credibility.' Most people are far more willing to help than candidates assume, particularly if they already know your work or reputation. The mistake people make is either never asking at all, or vaguely saying 'let me know if you hear of anything' rather than directly asking for introductions or referrals into specific roles. The difference between sitting in a pile of anonymous CVs and arriving with somebody internally backing you is enormous.
Learn Something While You Are Unemployed
Few things make interviews feel more awkward than having nothing to say about the last four months beyond 'applying for jobs.' Castle says periods between roles are the perfect opportunity to build skills that support your career, whether that is taking an online course, learning software or improving presentation skills. Not only does it strengthen your CV, it also changes the energy of interviews completely. Instead of appearing passive and stuck, you look ambitious and proactive. Psychologically, continuing to learn helps people feel far more in control during what can otherwise feel like an awkward, destabilising inter-role period.
Use AI as Your Assistant
While plenty of people still seem convinced AI is coming for all our jobs, Castle says smart candidates should use it to sharpen their applications and interview prep. Use AI tools to identify blind spots, research companies and think more strategically about what businesses actually need. What challenges are they facing? Where are they losing money? What problems could you solve for them? The strongest candidates are rarely the ones who simply repeat their CV back when questioned. They are the ones who can clearly explain how they would add value to a business, without waffling on about corporate nonsense.
Track Your Applications Properly
One of the biggest pitfalls when job hunting is disorganisation. After a few weeks, applications blur together, follow-ups get forgotten and people lose track of who they have already spoken to. 'Keep a simple tracker of who you are reaching out to, who you have spoken to and what is in play,' Castle advises. You can create one quickly on Excel, or use free templates on sites like Notion. It does not need to be complicated, but having a clear overview can make the whole process feel far less overwhelming. It also stops every single opportunity feeling emotionally make-or-break, because instead of waiting desperately on one role, you can see momentum building elsewhere.
Do Not Underestimate the Power of Personality
For all the obsession around CVs and experience, Castle believes something else still matters enormously in interviews: personality. 'Energy and empathy stand out like nothing else because they are so rare,' he says. In practice, that means being someone people can actually imagine working with every day – someone who listens, seems positive and brings good energy into a room. Castle says people remember emotion far more than rehearsed interview answers. The small things still count: smiling properly, holding doors open, making eye contact and thanking people warmly afterwards. 'Be someone they would want to work with – not just on paper but in how you show up and the energy you bring.'
