Sam Wright, head of growth at Huntr (an AI-powered resume builder and job search tracker), has conducted over 500 free 15-minute job search support sessions since July. He works primarily with tech professionals—software developers, UI/UX designers, product managers—many recently laid off from companies like Amazon and Google. Drawing from anonymized data of 1.2 million applications and 225,000+ resumes, Wright shares his top advice for navigating the 2026 job market.
Sam Wright has done around 500 support calls with job seekers since July.
1. Use Your Application-to-Interview Conversion Rate as Your North Star
In today's employer-favored market, job seekers often apply to hundreds of roles without responses. Your North Star should be the application-to-interview conversion rate. Treat your job search as a sales process—you're selling your skills, and this metric shows how effectively you're doing it. Be metrics-driven to track and improve your success.
2. Focus on One Job Title at a Time and Pivot as Needed
Apply to 10–15 jobs with a well-tailored resume matching the job description, focusing on one target job title for two to three weeks. If you don't get an interview within 20–50 applications, seek feedback and reassess your approach. Experiment with different job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter) to boost conversion rates.
3. Google Search Should Be Your New Favorite Job Board
Everyone posting jobs online wants them searchable on Google. Do a Boolean search as part of your routine—it aggregates listings from all boards. For example, searching "Data Analyst Jobs" triggers Google's jobs tab, pulling postings from across the web for better SEO visibility.
4. Two-Page Resumes Often Yield Better Results
Resume length is a common struggle. Data shows a slight increase in responses with two-page resumes across all experience levels. Focus on quality content that matches the job description. Include relevant education details like awards and achievements to strengthen your profile.
5. Show Metrics and Impact on Your Resume
In your achievements section, use the formula: "I did X, which had Y result and Z impact." Many miss the 'why it matters'—connecting your achievement to its broader impact. Even roles like a hospital janitor contribute to saving lives; frame your experience to highlight your value in the bigger picture.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!