By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

I’m rapidly approaching that end-of-year break that I take to head up to Vermont to visit our son and for Thanksgiving. There will be two more issues prior to the Thanksgiving break and then I’ll be returning from the Northeast at the beginning of December.

I’ll have a modified coaching schedule during that time but still be working with people remotely.

 

Someone forwarded a link to a website with a resume checker vis-a-vis particular jobs. You get 5 free uploads a day and it models itself after the more well-known tool that evaluates resumes. I haven’t had a chance to check it so I’d appreciate any of you who can share feedback with me about its competence. The link is here. No, I don’t make any money from this. I’m just passing it on to you.

 

My newest book is Part Time Retirement Jobs That Are Fun and Easy: How to explore roles that are fun and easy PLUS job ideas. It rejects generic career platitudes in favor of an actionable, tactical framework. Designed for people who want to protect their lifestyle and time, this playbook treats your post-career phase as a deliberate design strategy, not an identity crisis. $9.99 on Amazon for Kindle and as a PDF. It is also available as an audiobook for $14.99

 

4 Micro-Tactics to Surface High-Intent Career Leads

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Whether you are an individual contributor targeting your next senior specialist role or a director aiming for your next step up or higher, relying on large blocks of open time to advance your search is a losing strategy. The idea that traction requires an entire weekend of overhaul only leads to inaction.

Real momentum is built through rapid, asymmetrical actions that exploit how organizational decision-makers actually operate. A focused ten or fifteen minutes between daily tasks is more than enough time for any professional to uncover unpublicized team initiatives, bypass crowded public queues, and place their background directly before the managers who control real budgets.

Continuing my series, here are four entirely new 15-minute executions to generate immediate momentum today.

1. Reverse-Engineer “Customer Advisory Board (CAB)” Roster Additions (15 Minutes)

Enterprise software providers and business services firms often maintain Customer Advisory Boards (CABs) populated by executive buyers from their primary target accounts. When a senior leader at your target employer joins a vendor’s CAB, that leader’s team is preparing to invest capital, overhaul internal workflows, or replace legacy tooling in that vendor’s domain.

Spend 15 minutes tracking these appointments:

1. Search Google or LinkedIn for: "[Target Company]" AND ("Customer Advisory Board" OR "Advisory Council").

2. Identify the Vice President or Director who accepted the advisory seat.

3. Reach out on LinkedIn with a focused, peer-level note:

“Hi [Name], I saw your recent appointment to the Customer Advisory Board at [Vendor Firm]. Tracking how enterprise teams align their infrastructure around [Vendor’s Domain] has been a priority of mine. Having managed operational rollouts in this space at [Previous Firm], I’d value a connection to follow how your team navigates that architecture at [Target Company].”

2. Mine State “Workforce Development & Training Grant” Awards (15 Minutes)

State economic development authorities routinely distribute workforce training grants to mid-sized and large enterprises investing in advanced operational, manufacturing, or technological capabilities. Because these public awards require formal government disclosures, they reveal which corporate divisions are actively expanding their workforce months before job descriptions are drafted.

Spend 15 minutes scanning regional economic grant registries:

1. Search your target state’s economic development agency portal or local business journal for: "[Target City/State]" AND ("workforce training grant" OR "job development grant" OR "capital investment grant").

2. Identify an awarded firm expanding its local operational footprint.

3. Locate the site lead or regional operations director on LinkedIn and deploy a direct note:

“I saw the announcement regarding [Target Company]’s recent state workforce training allocation for your [Facility/Division Name] operations. Building out technical capacity under these programs always creates early onboarding and workflow friction. As an operator specializing in [Your Domain], I wanted to put my background on your radar as your division scales.”

3. Deploy the “Corporate Podcast Producer or Content Lead” Route (10 Minutes)

Reaching out to C-suite executives via cold InMail often yields low response rates because their inboxes are managed by gatekeepers. However, the internal multimedia producers or content managers who coordinate the company’s branded executive podcast work directly with senior leadership to highlight strategic divisional priorities.

Spend 10 minutes finding this internal conduit:

• Search LinkedIn for: "[Target Company]" AND ("Podcast Producer" OR "Executive Communications Manager" OR "Head of Internal Content").

• Send a concise, highly relevant note validating their editorial work:

“Hi [Name], I’ve been following the discussions your team produces on [Company’s Official Podcast], particularly the recent segment on [Specific Strategic Challenge]. As an operator in the [Domain] space, it was great to see that operational friction addressed so clearly. I’d love to connect to follow future topics your group puts together.”

Establishing rapport with the internal content team can give you a direct line into executive messaging and surfaces unannounced strategic priorities before they reach public job feeds.

4. Recalibrate Profile “Past Experience Project Links” (5 Minutes)

Enterprise recruiters and hiring managers who review profiles look for tangible evidence of past execution. When your career history consists solely of bulleted text, it blends into every other profile on the platform. Adding structured media assets to individual role entries validates your work immediately.

Spend 5 minutes executing this profile enhancement:

• Open your LinkedIn profile and navigate to your Experience section.

• Click the Edit (Pencil Icon) on your most relevant past role.

• Scroll to the bottom and select Add media -> Add a link.

• Attach a link to a published case study, a public patent disclosure, a recorded conference presentation, or an unclassified technical white paper highlighting a quantifiable business outcome.

Adding verified work samples directly below your role title provides concrete proof of competence during rapid manual profile screenings.

Sustainable career progress is built on consistent, compounding execution. Pick one targeted micro-action every morning, execute it cleanly, and force hiring managers to interact with you directly.

Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2026

 

Last week I released many new blog posts, including:

How to Turn Generic Letters of Recommendation into Interviews https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-turn-generic-letters-of-recommendation-into-interviews/

Taking a Step Down Flags You as a Flight Risk #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/taking-a-step-down-flags-you-as-a-flight-risk-shorts/

How to Systematize Your Job Search and 2.6x Your Interviews https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-systematize-your-job-search-and-2-6x-your-interviews/

The Truth About Fake Jobs https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-fake-jobs/

Is Your Company Trying To Hide You From View?

https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-your-company-trying-to-hide-you-from-view/

What Leads to Success? https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-leads-to-success/

No BS Career Advice: October 25, 2026 https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-october-25-2026/

The Best Way to Google Yourself #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-best-way-to-google-yourself-shorts/

The H-1B Job Switching Playbook https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-h-1b-job-switching-playbook/

Career Lessons From The Yankee Core Four https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-lessons-from-the-yankee-core-four/

Getting Close to an Offer AND Needing to Correct a Mistake https://thebiggamehunter.us/getting-close-to-an-offer-and-needing-to-correct-a-mistake/

What Are They Looking For When They Interview? #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-are-they-looking-for-when-they-interview-shorts/

7 Tips for Creating a Strong LinkedIn Profile https://thebiggamehunter.us/7-tips-for-creating-a-strong-linkedin-profile/

What Recruiters Know: Proof of Thought Leadership Makes a Difference https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-proof-of-thought-leadership-makes-a-difference/

Being Inflexible #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-inflexible-shorts/

Being Inflexible #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-inflexible-shorts/

What Recruiters Know: Proof of Thought Leadership Makes a Difference https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-proof-of-thought-leadership-makes-a-difference/

7 Tips for Creating a Strong LinkedIn Profile https://thebiggamehunter.us/7-tips-for-creating-a-strong-linkedin-profile/

What Are They Looking For When They Interview? #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-are-they-looking-for-when-they-interview-shorts/

Interview Red Flags: We Want You to Talk with One More Person #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-we-want-you-to-talk-with-one-more-person-shorts/

Getting Close to an Offer AND Needing to Correct a Mistake https://thebiggamehunter.us/getting-close-to-an-offer-and-needing-to-correct-a-mistake/

Game Show Interviewing https://thebiggamehunter.us/game-show-interviewing/

Resumes vs LinkedIn Profiles https://thebiggamehunter.us/resumes-vs-linkedin-profiles/

Ask For Help #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/ask-for-help-shorts/

Interview Red Flags: We Have This Other Job Open #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-we-have-this-other-job-open-shorts/

Paying Attention to Details #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/paying-attention-to-details-shorts/

I Hate Job Applications https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-hate-job-applications/

Use AI to Write a Note to Reconnect with Someone #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-ai-to-write-a-note-to-reconnect-with-someone-shorts/

The 2 Sentence Ask for Informational Interviews https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-2-sentence-ask-for-informational-interviews/

What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: The Hidden Job Market is Real #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-that-you-dont-the-hidden-job-market-is-real-shorts/

4 Ways to Use Claude to Generate More Job Interviews https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-ways-to-use-claude-to-generate-more-job-interviews/

The Invisible Professional: Standing Out In Today’s Job Market https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-invisible-professional-standing-out-in-todays-job-market/

25 Resume Mistakes That Keep Senior Leaders From Landing Their Next Role https://thebiggamehunter.us/25-resume-mistakes-that-keep-senior-leaders-from-landing-their-next-role/

What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: Job Descriptions Are Wish Lists #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-that-you-dont-job-descriptions-are-wish-lists-shorts/

Spooky Leadership and Management Mistakes That Scare Your People Away https://thebiggamehunter.us/spooky-leadership-and-management-mistakes-that-scare-your-people-away/

Going Through Hell #shorts https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-through-hell-shorts/

The Box https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-box/

 

Video Courses:

Micro Lesson Interview Prep

Salary Negotiation Tactics

More Answers to Tough Interview Questions

Start Your New Job Like a Star! 

What to Do When You Can’t Do What You Used to Do

How to Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch in 20 Seconds or Less FREE

A La Carte Services

Resume Critique

LinkedIn Profile Critique

The Interview Intel Snapshot Ideal for Individual Contributors & entry-level professionals 

The Strategic Interview Dossier  A strategic Battle Plan tailored to you. I analyze your experience against the role’s requirements to identify your unique value proposition and, crucially, your hidden risks. 

Trusted Adviser Services  When you want to sort things through with someone who doesn’t have a vested interest in the decision you make

Salary Negotiation Coaching You’re down to the wire but the offer doesn’t seem quite right  

Books and Guides by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Available on Amazon as PDFs, too.  When you order a Kindle book, you’ll be given the choice of downloading an EPUB or a PDF.

Part Time Retirement Jobs That Are Fun and Easy: How to explore roles that are fun and easy PLUS job ideas NEW!

The Recruiter Magnet: LinkedIn Profile Optimization. Turn Recruiter Searches into Interviews NEW!

Pay Me What I’m Worth: Practical Tactics for Negotiating New Job Offers

Resumes That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed

Networking for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling

The No BS 10-Minute Resume Checklist: Stop Letting AI and 6-Second Recruiter Scans Kill Your Job Search

Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework

The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works

The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More

The Ultimate Job Interview Framework

Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is FREE

The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions

Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success

10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love

Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions

Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out

Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence

The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success

The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)

No B.S. Resume Advice: How Does Yours Measure Up? (a short guide)

No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit (a short guide)

Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!

101 Ways to Find Job Leads

Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search FREE

Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search

The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed

The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth

LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)

Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook

The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Pro«le Strategy in the AI Era

Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook

ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age

Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired

Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?

From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook

Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate (A Short Guide) $1

Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge

Final Interview Preparation

No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value

Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates

No BS Resume Advice FREE

The LinkedIn #OpentoWork Checklist FREE

Available on Amazon as a Kindle book, PDF, and audiobook

All books cost no more than $12.99 for Kindle or as PDFs. Many are available for 99 cents. Paperbacks cost more.

#BeGreat

Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC

I’ve Helped Tens of Thousands of People Land New Jobs and Careers By Applying My Executive Search Experience to People’s Unique Situations | Career Transition Coaching With No BS

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