Looking for a job and spending most of your time optimizing your resume? We've all been there. We stare at our resume, adjust the font size for the nth time, tweak the wording, hoping that this time, it will magically land us a job. 

Especially for PhDs transitioning out of academia, the resume often becomes the sole focus. But what if I told you that obsessing over your resume is as (in)effective as downloading publications to add to your "to be read" list?

You might be thinking, "But my resume is important! It's my first impression!" And you're not wrong. A good resume is important. But it's just one piece of a much larger puzzle. 

Too often, PhDs (and many job-seekers) fall into the trap of assuming the target outcome – landing a job – is primarily determined by the language on their resume. But they're solving the wrong problem. They're assuming a univariate equation ("resume language = job") when a job search is actually a complex, multivariate equation.

You could have the most perfectly crafted resume in the world, but if you're applying for 15 different job titles across multiple industries with no genuine skills alignment, you're likely to be disappointed. If you're only sending out cold applications on LinkedIn, you're missing out on the power of warm connections and referrals. And if you're not genuinely ready to leave your current role (or academia), that hesitation will come through in your applications and interviews.

Resume language is a factor in your job search, but it's just one factor. Other crucial variables include:

• Job Targeting: Are you applying for a wide range of roles, or have you strategically narrowed your focus to areas where your skills and experience truly align (and where there is market demand)?
• Skills Alignment: Have you genuinely researched the target roles to ensure your skills are a good fit, irrespective of how you phrase them on your resume?
• Application Strategy: Are you relying solely on cold applications, or are you actively networking and leveraging warm connections through referrals?
• Mindset: Are you using your job search for external validation, or are you approaching it with a sense of purpose and self-belief?
• Job Readiness: Are you truly ready to make a move, or are you still on the fence?

I get it. Tweaking your resume is often the easiest variable to control. It feels like you're doing something, taking action. But if you're spending 90% of your time on resume revisions and cold applications, you're essentially throwing darts in the dark in your job search. You're not addressing the other crucial variables that significantly impact your job search success.

So, what can you do instead? Stop obsessing over font size and start focusing on high-impact job search actions. 

To illustrate this, I've created a diagram, pictured above, plotting 21 different job search actions based on their ease and impact. Let's walk through the top 3 actions in terms of ease and impact so you can use them to accelerate your job search today. 

1. Research Your Target Role. This goes beyond reading job listings. Pick a job of interest and get to know it deeply. You're not researching "what it takes to *obtain* this job." Instead, you want to answer questions like: "What does this job involve day-to-day? Why does an organization hire for this type of role? Which skills are most critical to do this job well?" By understanding a job more deeply, you'll be able to better gauge your fit for the role and speak to your relevant skills. Note: job titles can be misleading, so I recommend choosing one job "family" to research at a time (e.g. data analytics or UX research).  

2. Reconnect With Dormant Ties.  "Dormant ties" are people in your network whom you haven't spoken to recently. These people, who know you but may have forgotten about you, are a great resource for you in your job search. Dormant ties can open a number of doors: whether sharing insights, connecting you to new people, or putting in a good word for you. To uncover your dormant ties, think about former classmates, colleagues, or friends you haven't spoken to recently. Reach out to catch up and learn more about what they're doing these days. Too often, job-seekers start cold DM'ing people on LinkedIn asking for informational interviews when they have this untapped pool of expertise sitting in their existing network of dormant ties! Activate your network for your job search by reconnecting with these folks. 

3. Develop a Genuine Statement of Fit. This action is a bit less easy than the other two, but can have a huge impact. What I mean by "statement of fit" is essentially the executive summary at the top of your resume, which shares why you're a genuinely good fit for the role. Say, for example, you've chosen data analyst as a target role. You've learned from your research that key skills for data analytics include data analysis (shocker!), the ability to collaborate well with "non-data" functions, and the ability to complete projects on time. At the top of your resume, then, you include a 2-3 sentence executive summary that showcases your skills in each of these areas: data analytics, collaboration, and getting sh!t done. With this statement, you're conveying genuine strong fit to your prospective employer. You're also reminding yourself of the skills you bring, building your confidence (which isn't easy to sustain during a job search!) You can't get a genuine statement of fit if you're firing resumes off en masse. So slow down, do the research, and get this statement honed as you apply to increase your likelihood of landing a job. 

Any of these three activities represent high-impact actions for your job search. Focus here to get a job faster.