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On Today’s Launch
On today's issue of the Launchpad…
4 steps to breaking into a new industry
Worst interview question of the week
This week’s poll (penguins are involved)
Should you tailor your LinkedIn profile every time?
5 signs the job search advice you’re getting is BS
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Ever notice how "lack of industry experience" feels like a VIP club bouncer keeping you from your next job?
I've been there - staring at that rejection email, knowing you could crush the role if someone would just give you a chance.
That "industry experience" requirement is sometimes just a lazy filter that keeps great talent from breaking through.
Today, I’m going to show you how to change that.
After helping >1000 professionals pivot industries successfully over the course of my 13-year career, I've created a little cheat sheet on turning "lack of experience" into "when can you start?"
Step 1: Reframe how you tell your story
First things first - let's talk about your resume, because this is where most career pivoters shoot themselves in the foot.
Stop trying to cram industry buzzwords into your experience section. Seriously, just stop.
Instead, let's focus on what actually matters: universal impact metrics that transcend industries.
Here's what your competition is doing: listing job duties and hoping someone connects the dots.
Here's what you're going to do: showcase achievements that make industry experience look like a footnote.
Think about it this way - every industry needs people who can:
Turn chaos into order (aka process improvement)
Get teams to actually work together (leadership)
Make things run faster/cheaper/better (optimization)
Solve problems nobody else could crack (innovation)
Your resume's job isn't to prove you've done exactly this job before.
It's to prove you're someone who gets things done - period.
Here's the secret sauce: quantify everything.
"Improved efficiency" puts recruiters to sleep. "Reduced processing time by 47% and saved $132K annually" makes them sit up straight.
Numbers cut through the noise because they speak every industry's language: results.
And results, my friend, are the ultimate industry experience trump card.
BTW: I help you align your past experiences with your future companies in my interview prep course. It’s free for premium subscribers.
Step 2: Use a cover letter to speak their language
Now, I know what you're thinking: "But a lot of these job posts say 'no cover letter required.'"
Perfect - because I'm about to share a little trick that's helped dozens of my clients land interviews in completely new industries.
Here's what everyone else does: skips the cover letter entirely because it's "optional."
The thing is, going above and beyond with a well-written cover letter can give you an edge, especially later on in the interview process.
But here's the key - your cover letter needs to tell the right story.
Forget the standard "I'm excited to apply" template that everyone uses.
Instead, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to tell three short stories that prove you can handle their challenges.
For example: "When faced with a 30% drop in team productivity [Situation], I needed to rebuild morale [Task]. I implemented daily stand-ups and bi-weekly recognition programs [Action], which ultimately resulted in a 15% productivity increase in 60 days [Result]."
See what I did there? No industry-specific jargon.
Because at the end of the day, every industry speaks the language of solutions.
Step 3: Build your bridge via networking
Not the awkward "can I pick your brain" kind.
What if I told you the best networking happens when you stop trying to network?
Here's what most people do: blast their resume to everyone they know, begging for referrals.
Here's what you're going to do: become a student of your target industry.
Think about it - what makes someone valuable in a new industry? Understanding their specific challenges.
And how do you learn those challenges? By having genuine conversations about them.
Here's your three-step playbook:
Find people in your target role on LinkedIn (or X)
Notice what problems they're talking about
Reach out with genuine curiosity about those specific challenges
Example: A client of mine wanted to pivot from teaching to tech sales.
Instead of asking for jobs, she spent a month asking sales reps about their biggest customer communication challenges.
She used that info and turned her classroom management experience into an interesting story about handling difficult conversations and driving behavior change.
Two weeks later, she had three interviews lined up - not because she asked for them, but because people wanted her perspective.
Because genuine curiosity beats desperate networking every single time.
Step 4: Use recruiters to help you
Recruiters - the gatekeepers who can either be your biggest blockers or your best advocates.
Most people make the mistake of passively waiting for recruiters to "get" their background.
That's like hoping someone will guess what you want for your birthday without dropping any hints.
Instead, turn recruiters into your personal cheerleaders.
Think about it - recruiters talk to hiring managers all day, every day.
They know exactly what problems these companies are trying to solve.
Your job is to make it easy for them to connect your experience to those problems.
Here's how:
When a recruiter reaches out, ask specifically what challenges their client is facing
Share a quick story about solving a similar challenge (remember those STAR examples?)
Follow up with concrete numbers that prove your impact
Real talk: most recruiters are drowning in candidates who look perfect on paper.
But you're going to be the candidate who shows up with solutions instead of just qualifications.
Because at the end of the day, companies don't hire industry experience.
They hire problem solvers.
Your Action Plan This Week
Ready to put this into action? Here's exactly what you need to do:
Rewrite your top 3 resume bullets using the impact formula: Action + Metric + Timeframe
Create your cover letter focused on 3 universal challenges you've solved
Find and follow 5 people in your target role on LinkedIn or X
Message one recruiter using the problem-solution framework above
The "industry experience" barrier is just that - a barrier.
And you've got everything you need to break through it.
Worst interview question of the week
The question:
Design a step-by-step process for teaching a penguin to ride a bicycle. Include your KPIs for success.
Because apparently, measuring marketing ROI wasn't challenging enough - we needed to add flightless birds and two-wheelers to the mix. Can't wait for next year when they ask about teaching sharks to program.
Speaking of teaching penguins…
Would you rather... |
And on the subject of polls…
Last week, I asked you if you’d rather be stuck in a blender or work at a company where you hated your boss’ guts.
75% of you said you’d rather be stuck in a blender.
My favorite take:
You're going to be ground up anyway and you won't have to constantly consider sabotage or murder, which is a bother as anyone knows who's been under the thumb of one of those idiots running the show.
Did you enjoy this week's issue? |
About Me - James Cooper
I’m James, Cofounder of a bespoke resume writing agency and have been in the career services space for 13 years. Before that, I was a recruiter for AECOM.
I’ve helped thousands of job seekers, from industries like software engineering, IT, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and more generate job opportunities through well-written resumes that translate unique backgrounds into coherent narratives.
If you’re struggling with your resume for whatever reason, reach out - I just might be able to help!
If you’re more of a DIY person, check out our resume builder – it’ll take you through the resume writing process, one step at a time.
Do I have to tailor my LinkedIn every time?
My take:
Don’t stress about tailoring your LinkedIn for every role—it’s not like your resume. Think of LinkedIn as a "best of" version of your skills and experience. Highlight tools, languages, and achievements that apply broadly to your field. For the super-specific stuff, save that for your resume.
What you can do is tweak your headline or "About" section occasionally to align with the roles you’re targeting at any given time. That way, it still speaks to recruiters looking for someone like you.
Your Brain vs. Job Search Advice: A Reality Check
Ever feel like your LinkedIn feed is giving you whiplash from all the conflicting job search advice?
One "career guru" tells you to mass apply to everything that moves, while another insists you need to spend three weeks researching each company before even thinking about clicking "apply."
It's like listening to your mom and aunt argue about how to cook pasta - one swears by measuring every gram precisely, while the other tosses things in by feel and swears her way is the only right way.
And don't even get me started on the resume advice.
Is the one-page rule still sacred, or should you actually be writing a memoir of your professional life?
Should your summary be written in first person or third?
The truth is, most job search advice is like trying to follow a recipe written in three different languages, with half the measurements missing, and controversial substitutions scribbled in the margins.
And honestly? I get why you're skeptical.
That's exactly why we need to talk about how to filter through all this noise.
Because while there's no one-size-fits-all solution, there are definitely some red flags we can watch out for.
The BS Detector: Your 6-Point Framework
Before we dive in, let's acknowledge something: being skeptical of job search advice isn't just normal - it's healthy.
Because let's be real: the job market is complex, constantly changing, and deeply personal.
Anyone claiming to have all the answers probably has something to sell you (spoiler: that's actually our first red flag).
What you need isn't more advice - you need a framework to filter the good from the garbage.
So I've created what I call the "BS Detector" - six simple questions to ask yourself when you're drowning in conflicting job search advice.
Think of it as your personal noise-canceling headphones for the career advice cacophony.
And unlike most job search advice, I'm not going to tell you these are the only questions that matter.
But they're a damn good start for cutting through the chaos.
Let's break them down.
Red Flag #1: The "Too Good To Be True" Test
First up: Does the advice acknowledge trade-offs?
If someone's telling you their method works 100% of the time with zero drawbacks, your BS detector should be screaming.
Real career strategies always come with trade-offs - anyone pretending otherwise is probably selling something.
Quick example: Mass applying might get you more interviews, but they'll be less targeted. Fewer, more tailored applications might mean waiting longer but landing better fits.
There's no magic bullet - just different approaches with different trade-offs.
Solid advice helps you understand these trade-offs so you can choose what works for your situation.
Red Flag #2: The "Why" Factor
Next up: Can they explain the reasoning behind their advice?
Anyone can tell you to "network more" or "customize every cover letter."
But if they can't explain why their approach works, or the specific mechanics behind it, proceed with caution.
Good advice comes with context and real-world examples.
For instance: Don't just tell me to "follow up after every application" - tell me why timing matters, what to say, and how different industries view follow-ups differently.
Because "just trust me" isn't a strategy - it's a red flag.
Red Flag #3: The Industry Blindness Check
Here's a big one: Does the advice recognize that different industries play by different rules?
Generic advice rarely works across all fields - what lands you a tech job might tank your finance interview.
Think about it: Would you trust a doctor giving legal advice, or a lawyer giving medical tips?
Then why trust a tech recruiter's advice for breaking into investment banking?
Real talk: Each industry has its own culture, expectations, and unwritten rules.
Good advice acknowledges these differences instead of pretending one size fits all.
And if someone's pushing universal "career hacks"? That's your cue to keep scrolling.
Red Flag #4: The Timestamp Test
Quick question: Would you trust job search advice from 2019 in 2025?
If you just cringed, you understand why this matters.
Remember when "optional cover letters" weren't a thing? When remote work was a perk, not an expectation? When AI wasn't reviewing your resume before human eyes?
The job market evolves faster than your iPhone gets outdated.
So when someone's sharing advice, check when they were last actually in the job market.
Because tips from someone who last job-hunted during the Obama administration might not hit quite right in today's market.
Good advice comes from people who are either actively recruiting or recently in the trenches themselves.
Red Flag #5: The Career Level Mismatch
Here's something that drives me crazy: A C-suite executive giving job search advice to recent graduates.
Look, I'm sure the CEO of BigTechCo has great insights, but their "just network your way in" strategy hits different when you have zero industry connections.
Career advice needs to match your level.
What works for a senior executive with 20 years of experience won't help an entry-level candidate (and vice versa).
The best advice comes from people who've recently been at your level or who regularly hire for your target role.
So when you're reading advice, always ask: "Is this person speaking to my situation, or are they too far removed from my reality?"
Putting It All Together
Here's the thing about job search advice: you don't have to take all of it or none of it.
Think of it like a buffet, not a set menu.
Your job isn't to follow every piece of advice you see - it's to filter out the noise and find what actually works for your situation.
Use these red flags as your first line of defense:
No trade-offs mentioned? Suspicious.
Can't explain the why? Next.
Industry-agnostic advice? Proceed with caution.
Outdated perspective? Keep scrolling.
Wrong career level? Save it for later.
Remember: The best job search strategy isn't the one that worked for someone else - it's the one that works for you.
Now go forth and filter that feed. Your brain will thank you.
Drop a comment if you've spotted any of these red flags in job search advice lately.