Job Searching? Don't Believe Everything You Read

Job searching right now? You're probably hearing nonstop doom and gloom: "Hiring slows for the holidays." "AI is taking all the jobs." "You need to send 200 applications just to get one interview."

First thing I'm going to say: stop reading that stuff. We don't live in an all-or-nothing world. Yes, hiring may be slower than in 2021, but people are still hiring. And if you focus on the negative, you'll come across that way too.

Here's the truth: most of that noise is just that—noise. It's not helping you land a job; don't let it rent any space in your mind. I should know—I've started two jobs in December, including one on December 21st. No surprise, but my boss was on vacation, and so was most of the company. But they needed someone to start, and the calendar date didn't change that.

While everyone else is worried about things they can't control—like when companies decide to hire or what the latest job market predictions say—you should focus on what you can actually influence. And October? It's actually a great time to take control of your search.

What You Can't Control (So Stop Worrying About It)

The hiring timeline. Some companies move fast, others take months. Some have budget freezes, others are urgently filling roles. You can't predict or change this.

The competition. There will always be other candidates. Some will have more experience, some will have connections you don't. Focus on your own path.

Market predictions. Every week, there's a new article about whether it's a good or bad time to job-search. These predictions don't determine whether YOU get hired.

When companies post jobs, despite what you've heard, many companies hire year-round, including in Q4. They don't check the calendar before making hiring decisions. And please ignore the "over 100 have applied" by the job postings. I don't know why this is there. It's not helpful to anyone.

What You Can Control (This Is Where Your Energy Goes)

Your story. How you present your experience, your career goals, and what you bring to the table. This is your superpower, and it's 100% within your control.

Your network and relationships. This is your most underutilized job-search tool, and October is the perfect time to use it.

Your preparation. How well you research companies, practice interviewing, and follow up after conversations. I've talked to sooooo many people who think they are great interviewers, and … sorry to break the news … but they aren't. So if someone offers to help you prep, take them up on it. OK, moving on …

Your mindset and energy. Job searching is tough, but approaching it with curiosity instead of desperation makes all the difference.

October Networking: Your Secret Weapon

Here's what most job seekers get wrong about networking: they think it's about asking for jobs. It's not. It's about building genuine relationships and learning about opportunities that might not yet exist.

Why October works for networking:

• People are back from summer vacations and settling into fall routines
• Industry events and conferences are happening
• Holiday gatherings are coming up (great for casual reconnecting)
• Companies are planning for next year and thinking about their needs

How to Network (without feeling weird about it):

• Start with people you already know. Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, or neighbors. A simple "Hi Sarah, hope you're doing well. I'm exploring new opportunities in marketing and would love to hear about what you're working on these days" works wonders.
• Be genuinely curious about their work. Ask about their current projects, industry challenges, or what they're excited about. People love talking about their work when someone is genuinely interested.
• Offer value first. Share an interesting article, make an introduction, or offer to help with something. Networking is a two-way street. Can't emphasize this enough. People value relationships. Hope that makes sense.
• Make it easy for them. "Would you have 15 minutes for a quick coffee or phone call?" is much better than "Can we meet for lunch to discuss my career transition?"

What Good Networking Actually Looks Like

The conversation: Focus 70% on learning about them and their work, 30% on sharing your own situation. Ask questions like "What trends are you seeing in your industry?" or "What kind of skills are becoming more important in your field?"

Be upbeat. When sharing your situation, focus on the positives—what you love or the impact you make. You may have come from a toxic workplace—leave that behind. Think future.

The follow-up: Send a thank-you note within 24 hours. Reference something specific from your conversation and include any resources you promised to share.

The long game: Stay in touch occasionally with updates or interesting articles. Don't disappear until you need something again. Remember, people value relationships. By staying in touch, you're showing that you value the connection and are proactive in maintaining it.

The realistic expectation: Most networking conversations won't lead directly to job opportunities. They lead to insights, advice, and sometimes introductions to other people who might be helpful later.

Your October Action Plan

Instead of reading more articles about the job market, try this:

Week 1: Make a list of 10 people you could reconnect with. Reach out to 2-3 this week.

Week 2: Attend one industry event, webinar, or professional meetup. Have honest conversations with at least two people.

Week 3: Follow up on your initial outreach and plan coffee chats or phone calls.

Week 4: Reflect on what you've learned and identify new people to connect with based on these conversations.

The Bottom Line

Job searching feels overwhelming because there's so much conflicting advice and so many variables you can't control. But successful job seekers know the secret: focus on building relationships, telling your story well, and staying consistent with activities that actually move the needle.

While everyone else is worried about whether Q4 is a good time to job search, you'll be having meaningful conversations that could lead to opportunities in January, March, or whenever the proper role comes along.

The job search journey is rarely quick or linear, but it's always more productive when you focus on what you can actually influence. Start there, and let everything else be background noise.

What's one relationship you could rekindle this week? Sometimes the best opportunities come from the most unexpected connections. (And if you're feeling stuck on how to tell your story or approach these conversations, that's exactly what I help job seekers work through in my career coaching practice.)

I'm Juli Prizant, founder of OptiPeople Resources. I help growing businesses scale by making sure they have the right people in the right roles. Through fractional HR and talent support, I partner with leaders to build practical, people-focused strategies that work—whether it’s hiring, onboarding, compliance, or creating the systems that enable growth. I bring a blend of strategy, empathy, and real-world experience to help businesses build strong teams and even stronger foundations.