Why Conversations Still Matter More Than Applications When You Want the Right Job

If you are job searching right now, there is a good chance you are doing what most people do. You apply when something interesting comes up, you adjust your résumé as needed, and you keep an eye on postings. And still, it can feel like nothing is really moving.

That frustration is very real, especially in today’s market.

What I see again and again, though, is that the people who land roles that truly fit them are rarely relying only on applications. They are having conversations, often long before a role is officially posted.

I was reminded of this recently during a call with a client I worked with a few months ago.

At the time, he already had a strong job. He was not unhappy, and he was not in a rush to leave. But he knew he wanted something more aligned with the long-term vision he had for his career.

He had one specific company in mind. Not just a vague interest, but a clear sense that this was the environment where he could grow and contribute meaningfully. That clarity mattered more than he realized at the time.

Before he started reaching out to anyone, we focused on getting his foundation right. We clarified his target roles and made sure his executive résumé and career documents reflected where he was going, not just where he had been. His story needed to make sense both on paper and when spoken out loud in conversation.

Once that was in place, he started talking to people in his industry, especially those who worked at the company he was targeting.

He was not asking for a job. He was not pushing his résumé on anyone. He was simply having genuine conversations, learning about the organization, and building relationships over time. One conversation led to another, and slowly, people began to recognize his name and understand what he was good at and what he was aiming for.

There was nothing rushed about the process. He stayed patient and intentional. And recently, it paid off. He was offered a role that is deeply aligned with what he wanted, not just a step forward, but the right step.

This is not unusual, especially at more senior levels.

Many roles are discussed internally long before they ever appear online. When the timing is right, decision makers often think first about people they already know or people whose names come up through trusted colleagues. Being visible and known in the right way changes how opportunities come to you.

In today’s market, this approach matters more than ever. Strong candidates are getting lost in crowded applicant pools, and relying only on online applications can feel discouraging even when your experience is solid. Conversations cut through that noise. They allow people to see you as a human being, not just a résumé, and they create space for advocacy when opportunities open up quietly.

This does not mean you need to start networking aggressively or constantly talking about yourself. It starts with clarity. Knowing what you want next. Knowing which companies genuinely interest you. Making sure your career materials support that direction so that when someone asks about your background, you feel confident sharing it.

From there, it is about staying curious, showing up to industry events when you can, reaching out thoughtfully, and maintaining relationships over time. These conversations often feel small in the moment, but they add up.

This approach takes patience, and it is not always immediate. But when it works, it often leads to roles that feel more aligned, more stable, and more satisfying than anything found through a job board.

If you are thinking about your next move, even if it feels far off, starting these conversations now can make all the difference later.