How to Actually Get the Job from Women Who Do the Hiring

The job market is brutal right now. You know this. You've sent 47 applications, gotten three interviews, and zero offers. Your LinkedIn is starting to feel like a graveyard of unanswered connection requests.

But here's what you don't know: I talked to women who've been on BOTH sides of the interview table.

They've gotten the competitive jobs (investment banking on Wall Street, VP roles at Fortune 200 companies, positions at Big Four consulting firms), AND they've hired hundreds of people.

This is what they wish you knew...this is a long one because they shared soooo much great info, and I didn't want to keep any of it from you. So grab your iced coffee 🧊🧊 and read on!

8 Insights You Need to Know About Getting a Job Offer

1. Jobs Are Filled Through Connections

Let's start with the hard truth that'll save you months of time.

Pilar Khawaja landed an investment banking analyst role at Cain Brothers in New York City right out of Ohio State.

Here's how: "Some club members recommended me to join Key Bank's Women in Investment Banking Program. Through there I networked and found a group at Cain Brothers."

Notice what didn't happen? She didn't just apply cold on LinkedIn.

Michelle Glass, now a Certified Financial Planner, got her role at Pfizer through a phone call. "I called my friend's dad. I had no idea where the phone call would go, but I called... Next thing I knew, I was on a flight to Chicago for an interview."

Her advice? "Always say yes to that first meeting because you just don't know where it's gonna lead."

Jobs aren't just posted on LinkedIn. They're filled through connections. Use them.

🤝 Get my free Networking Rubric here.

2. Ask for What You Want (Seriously)

Ali Feller, host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast and NYC Marathon, Boston Marathon, and Chicago Marathon announcer, started as a magazine editor. She worked her way up to Editor in Chief.

Her secret? "I was just scrappy and eager and excited and not afraid to put my big dreams out there."

She weaseled her way into every meeting, every department. "I learned from putting it out there and telling them, 'Hey, this is what I wanna do.'"

Sometimes the biggest career moves come from simply being bold enough to ask.

Stop waiting for permission. Stop waiting to feel "ready." Put your dreams out there and ask for what you want.

3. Timeline Matters

Here's something that'll sting: if you're waiting until your last semester to think about jobs, you're already behind.

Pilar started looking for internships "beginning of sophomore year" and was interviewing in spring sophomore year for her junior summer internship. "I got an offer in March of my sophomore year."

That's not a typo. March of sophomore year for a junior summer internship.

Start earlier than you think you need to. Way earlier.

4. This ONE Question Changes Everything

Jenna Hagerich, Senior Brand Manager at Campbell's (previously VP at Aramark), has a power move for interviews:

"A great question to ask in a job interview is: 'How do you measure success of someone in this role?'"

This question does 3 things:

1. Shows you're thinking strategically
2. Gives you actual intel on what they value
3. Tells you exactly what to focus on if you get the job

Ask this in every interview. Take notes on their answer. Reference it in your follow-up email.

5. Soft Skills Matter

Tiffany Streby has been an HR Manager at major companies including Step Two, Parker Hannifin, and Swagelock. She's seen thousands of resumes and conducted hundreds of interviews.

Here's what she says: "What differentiates candidates is having an idea of what the leader needs, what the customer needs. Come in with that understanding."

Kim Kanary, VP of Marketing at multiple brands, adds: "Soft skills matter. Your ability to adapt, bring a positive attitude, and show desire for growth. That's what we're looking for."

Notice what they're NOT saying? They're not saying "have a 4.0" or "went to an Ivy League school" or "already know how to do everything."

Adaptability and emotional intelligence beat perfect qualifications.

6. Culture Fit is Real and it Matters More Than You Think

Pilar's bank stressed this during her interview process: "They're really big on the cultural aspect. Showing your personality and showing that you could get along well with other people in the firm. That's a really big point."

Why? Because technical skills can be taught. Being someone people actually want to work with? That's harder to train.

Don't be a robot in interviews. Be yourself. Show personality. Let them see you're a human they'd want to grab lunch with.

👌 Need help telling authentic stories that get you hired? Get my free Life Resume Template here.

7. If You're Not Hearing Back: Do This

Paula Zimmer, VP of Client Services at Kuno Creative, survived the 2008 recession job market (which has major parallels to today).

Her advice: "It was all about relationships. How are you looking out there to experts in your industry and reaching out? There are plenty of us out there who would absolutely spend 15 minutes on a call with a recent grad."

And here's the crucial part most people mess up: if you don't hear back, follow up respectfully.

Paula says: "Don't be discouraged if you send an email or make a call and don't immediately hear back. Follow up, be persistent. Be respectful, but you know, be persistent."

One follow-up email isn't annoying. It's professional.

8. During Your Internship: Show This Above Everything Else

Pilar converted her internship to a full-time offer. Her secret?

"Being a hard worker and offering your help for every single task that comes to you, that really goes a long way. You can learn everything on the desk, but you have to come in with a work ethic."

Now that she manages first-year analysts, here's what she notices: "The main thing that sticks out is their eagerness to take the first try on everything. That initiative is huge."

Don't wait to be asked. Raise your hand. Volunteer. Show initiative.

That's how you convert an internship into a job offer.

Your Action Plan for This Week

Pick ONE of these and do it in the next seven days:

1. Join your school's alumni network or a professional organization in your field
2. Reach out to ONE person on LinkedIn for a 15-minute informational interview
3. Prepare the "how do you measure success" question for your next interview
4. Follow up on that application you sent two weeks ago (respectfully)
5. DM someone who has the job you want and ask about their path

One action. Seven days. Go.

And most of all, trust yourself.

💜 Brianne