Here's how you can offer constructive feedback on a colleague's job search strategy.

Start Positive: Acknowledge their efforts and strengths. Be Specific: Point out areas for improvement, like tailoring resumes or enhancing LinkedIn profiles. Offer Suggestions: Recommend networking, taking relevant courses, or adding more detail to applications. Be Supportive: Offer your help with reviews or mock interviews. Encourage: End on a positive note, expressing confidence in their success.

Before starting a conversation when you are aiming to provide feedback to someone, listening first to their perspective about the subject will help you understand their reasoning behind some actions and be empathetic towards their feelings. Understand their goals, challenges, and the context of their job search. Everyone’s situation is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. With all of this information, you will provide helpful feedback and be more assertive with your suggestions.

Discuss a strategy before the search starts, look at the search string and provide another one with your ideas, start with an open search first, don't close doors on the search corridor before you even get started. Work with the job title and then from that list start putting the must have's in.

As is the case with most things in life, you're not going to get anywhere if you push your own opinions and agenda without first really listening to what the other party is saying. When it comes to what someone is looking for in their next job, or their overall career goals, it's an incredibly personal and unique thing. Each of us are going to have different wants and needs that will help us thrive in a work environment, and it's important to really take the time to listen to, understand, and honor those wants and needs- before giving your colleague any kind of feedback or advice on what they should do.

There is a lot of pride attached to a person's career, we have to be sensitive as we can say what we think is best but we don't know what someone is going through or what they have already tried. Listen to their frustrations and hear not to respond, but to really hear what they've been through. Often times their rejection is no fault of their own, it's circumstances, economics, timing. But it still hurts nonetheless.

General feedback such as ‘improve your job search’ isn’t very helpful; in fact, it can exacerbate the frustration that the person is already feeling. Instead of being vague in your comments, offer specific recommendations for skill development and areas of improvement. Providing concrete examples and actionable suggestions will help create a clearer path forward.

Searching for a job is incredible frustrating, particularly if people are at a desperate stage. If you really want to help, you need to take the time to do that and not just comment flippantly. Review their resume/profiles online, ask people around you for their opinion. Ask where they have been searching and see what they have been putting into their expectations. Sometimes everything is fantastic but their salary expectation is too high, one small thing could change everything for someone.

Have you ever asked someone for advice, whether it's personally or professionally, poured your heart out, and gotten a vague platitude in response? I sure have, and I think we all have! There aren't many worse feelings in life than having someone give you the brush off in a time of true need. If someone has taken the time (and shown the vulnerability/humbleness to reach out!) to ask for advice and feedback, don't take it lightly. It is a true privilege to be in a position to help, and to be someone others reach out to to help them. Take the time to really formulate specific and clear responses and strategies that you think will help them- whether it's resume review, editing a cover letter, or even setting up a mock interview.

It has been my personal experience that anyone who operates on a basis of "brutal honesty" is actually a jerk masquerading as a helpful person. Don't be that person. If your colleague has a long ways to go professionally, chances are that they already know that. Piling on and pointing out their flaws isn't going to help. What *will* help is focusing on the positive, while being honest (and NOT brutally honest) about where there is room for improvement. What helps people most at the end of the day is a confidence boost combined with actionable feedback. Be the person you wish you'd had at that point in your career, and remember where you started- chances are, you weren't so different!

Remember, feedback's purpose is to be constructive. It’s not about criticizing the errors someone might be making. Instead, consider using techniques like the ‘sandwich method.’ Begin by highlighting the person’s strong skills and positive actions. Then, gently transition to your suggestions for improvement and a proper explanation. Finally, you can close the meeting with a positive and motivational message. This approach creates a more receptive and growth-oriented conversation

Often people simply need a confidence boost and to remember that they really are good at what they do! Ask about their achievements and praise those, simply boosting someone's confidence could change their whole demeanor and help them land a great job 🙌☀

Offering resources can make a significant impact on a colleague's job search journey. Providing tools like books on cover letter writing, workshops on personal branding, or connections to networking events demonstrates genuine support and commitment to their success. These resources not only enhance their job search strategy but also empower them with valuable skills and opportunities to explore.

When offering constructive feedback on a colleague's job search strategy, focus on encouraging reflection. Remind them that all answers lie within, and sometimes they just need guidance to look inward. Be the person who, instead of judging, asks thoughtful questions to help them gain insight. Job searching can be challenging and impact one's confidence and career trajectory, so it's important to support them in this personal journey. Each job search is unique, shaped by individual beliefs and requirements. Encouraging self-reflection without imposing judgment helps them find clarity and direction in their search.

People from outside recruiting often just don’t have the insights we have. Try to get colleagues to see the hiring managers point of view. They can then start to build their job search strategy again.

When offering feedback on a colleague's job search strategy, start by truly listening to their experiences and goals. This helps tailor your advice to their needs and shows respect for their efforts. Be specific in your feedback, pointing out concrete areas for improvement, like enhancing resume wording or highlighting achievements. Frame your feedback positively, focusing on their potential. Provide useful resources, such as books or workshops, and encourage regular reflection on their job search process. Follow up to see how they’ve implemented your suggestions and offer ongoing support, reinforcing your commitment to their success.

As Recruiters we should be aware of the 'Dunning-Kruger' effect - it's where you assume that what comes easily to you also comes easily to everyone else. Your insights could change everything so take the time to talk with your friends who are job hunting and pay it forward 💹

This can be a very emotional time. Give would help you can, but don’t push. If they don’t want to change their strategy then don’t overwhelm them with more proof that you are right. Give them a little information at a time and let them come back to you if they are struggling emotionally with this.