🎯 Is It Me or the Market?

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🎯 Is It Me or the Market?

How to Know if You’re Aiming Too High—or Not High Enough

We’ve all been there.

You apply for a role you're perfect for—no response.
You tailor your resume—still ghosted.
You start wondering:
“Is it me... or is the market just brutal right now?”

The truth? It might be a little of both. But here's the good news:
You can diagnose and adjust your strategy without compromising your goals.

🔍 Step 1: Run the Pattern Test

If you’ve applied to:

• 20+ roles in the last 4–6 weeks

• That you’re qualified for (by at least 70%)

• With a tailored resume and clear positioning…

...and you’re not landing interviews?
It’s time to look closer at your approach.

💡 Step 2: Ask the Right Questions

🟢 Are you aiming too high?

• Applying to leadership roles without leadership experience?

• Shooting for FAANG-type companies without relevant domain expertise?

• Relying on job titles alone instead of reading the role's responsibilities?

📉 Reality check: Ambition is great—but if you’re consistently stretching without proof points, you may need to recalibrate how you're presenting your value.

🔵 Or are you aiming too low?

• Only applying to safe, “easy” roles with little growth upside?

• Dumbing down your resume to seem like a sure hire?

• Avoiding companies where you’d have to stretch or adapt?

📉 Reality check: Under-leveling to “just get hired” might feel safe—but it often backfires. Recruiters may wonder why you're applying to roles far below your potential—or worry you’ll leave quickly.

⚖️ Step 3: Find the Stretch Zone

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s alignment. Look for roles that:
✅ You’re about 70–80% qualified for
✅ Require you to learn or grow in one new area
✅ Align with your longer-term career path—not just this year’s paycheck

📌 If you check every single box, you’re aiming too low.
📌 If you check almost none, you’re aiming too high.

📊 Use Data, Not Just Vibes

SCALIS can help you benchmark your profile against:

• Role requirements across companies and industries

• What similar candidates are getting matched to

• How your experience compares to live job postings

This isn't guesswork—it’s insight.
And the more you know, the better you can target smart.

✨ Final Take

If you’re not seeing traction, don’t assume it’s all on you.
But also don’t let the market define your value without a second opinion.

Ask for feedback. Adjust where needed.
And remember: the right role doesn’t just match your experience—it grows it.

In this episode of Career Hack, Brandon Amoroso sits down with Kevin Johnson, Senior Talent Recruiter at Caylent, to explore the dynamic world of recruitment and career growth. With over 25 years of experience and a journey through explosive company growth, Kevin shares invaluable insights on building talent pipelines, leveraging AI in hiring, and the importance of networking for job seekers. Tune in to discover actionable strategies to stand out in today’s job market!

Here’s What You’ll Learn:

📈 How to scale hiring during explosive company growth

🤝 Why networking and referrals are essential for landing jobs

🤖 How AI is transforming the recruitment process

🎯 Key tips for standing out as a job seeker in competitive markets

📚 How to build experience and overcome entry-level barriers

🌍 Why building a talent pipeline is critical for recruiters and candidates

🎓 The power of internships and early career planning for success

Follow SCALIS on social to stay updated with early career opportunities and exciting new trends!