From Overlooked to Hired: Master the Art of Selling Yourself in a Tough Job Market
Blaming the tough job market for not getting hired? I’m calling BS — the real problem is you don’t know how to sell yourself.
People keep saying: “The job market is tough right now.”
And sure, layoffs are happening. Companies are tightening budgets. AI is reshaping industries.
But here’s a truth I’ve seen again and again in my work as a career coach in Singapore:
It doesn’t matter if there are 100,000 job postings or 1,000 job postings. You only need one job.
That’s right — one job that fits you, sees your potential, and values what you bring.
And if you show up as the right person, that job will make space for you.
If you position yourself as a candidate with clear value, potential, and unique strengths, the right employers will make space for you. Think about it — if Elon Musk or Bill Gates applied to your company, HR would find a way to hire them, recession or not. Why? Because their value is undeniable.
This post is your guide on how to become that kind of candidate — not flashy or famous, but irresistible and impossible to overlook.
Why Selling Yourself Matters More Than Ever in Today’s Job Market
The truth is, average candidates will always struggle, no matter the market.
But top candidates — the ones who master the art of selling themselves — will always stand out no matter how competitive the job market is.
If your job applications aren’t getting responses, it’s not necessarily the market — it’s your positioning.
In today’s hiring landscape, your resume is just one piece of the puzzle. The key to landing your dream job is building a strong network and personal brand to attract the right opportunities.
How to Sell Yourself Beyond the Resume
One of the biggest mindset shifts I teach in my career coaching sessions in Singapore is this:
Your resume is a highlight reel of your past.
But if you're pivoting — especially across industries — clinging to that document often keeps you stuck in an outdated version of your career.
And if that old story no longer fits?
We need to write a new one.
This can feel especially challenging when you don’t have the “right” experience. But here’s the truth:
You don’t need permission or a job title to start building credibility.
How Do You Sell Yourself Without Experience?
By building a portfolio that shows what you can do.
In a tough job market, personal branding isn’t optional — it’s essential. Especially for mid-career professionals in Singapore looking to make a career switch.
Here’s the hard truth:
If you can’t show results, people won’t just take your word for it.
In a crowded market, the best way to rise above the noise is to show, not tell.
Don’t just list responsibilities — show what you’ve built, solved, improved, or led.
Here are some powerful (and realistic) examples:
Launch a side hustle or passion project that aligns with the industry you want to pivot into — nothing says “I’m serious about this” like real skin in the game.
Showcase your voice and expertise by starting a podcast, YouTube channel, or writing consistently on platforms like LinkedIn, Medium, or Substack — your content is your credibility.
Offer your skills(free of charge) to a startup or small business — whether it’s data analysis, marketing, operations, or strategy, real-world contributions > hypothetical experience.
Start an initiative at work that reflects your interests — like a wellness club, employee resource group, or DEI program — and use it to build proof of leadership in the field you want to move into.
Host curated dinners or small gatherings around a cause or topic you care deeply about — it’s a powerful way to build authentic connections and position yourself as a thought leader.
This approach builds undeniable proof of your value — moving beyond the resume to real results. And is exactly how you break the “chicken and egg” conundrum of needing relevant experience to get hired, but needing the job to get that experience.
Once You’ve Built Credibility, It’s Time to Optimise Your LinkedIn and Elevator Pitch
Now that you’ve created real, tangible proof of what you can do, it’s time to make sure people actually see it.
Step 1: Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn isn’t just an online resume — it’s the best tool to use to tell your new story. Use it to reflect the career you want to build, not the job you’ve outgrown.
Here’s how to do that:
Headline: Go beyond your current job title. Use this space to reflect your future direction — e.g. “Investment Banker @ JP Morgan | Passionate about Sustainability | Advisor to Climate Tech Startup”
About Section: Tell your career pivot story clearly and confidently. Highlight the why, the skills, and the new value proposition.
Featured Section: Add links to anything you've built — content, projects, podcasts, community events — this is where your portfolio shines.
Experience & Volunteer Sections: Include your side hustles, initiatives, and volunteer work here. Treat them like real roles (because they are!).
Recruiters search by keywords — so make sure the industry you want to be in is reflected in your headline, summary, and experience.
Step 2: Craft a Compelling Elevator Pitch
You need to be able to answer, “So, what do you do?” without launching into a 10-minute explanation of your career pivot.
Here’s a simple structure to help:
Who you are now (“While I spent the past decade as an investment banker…”)
Where you’re going (“...over the past few years I’ve become deeply passionate about sustainability and startups.”)
What proof do you have (“Most recently, I advised a climate tech startup on their go-to-market strategy and their pre-orders tripled within a month.”)
Make sure your pitch:
Highlights your transferable skills
Connects the dots between past and future
Ends with clarity and confidence
Practice it until it feels natural — you’ll use this in interviews, networking calls, and chance encounters.
Need help building one? That’s something we work on in our career coaching programme.
Real Client Success Story: How Career Coaching Helped Kimberly Land Her Dream Job in a Tough Job Market
You don’t need dozens of job openings. You only need one that’s right for you.
And sometimes, you don’t wait for the perfect job to appear — you create it.
That’s exactly what happened with Kimberly, one of my clients.
She was looking to pivot in her career and had her eye on a role at a global investment bank. But when she reached out to a warm contact there, she was told what so many jobseekers dread hearing: “We’re not hiring right now.”
Most people would stop there. But Kimberly didn’t.
Through career coaching, she learned how to build a compelling portfolio, pitch her unique value, and keep going even after a “no.”
What happened next was incredible:
Her contact was so impressed by her work and positioning, they told her, “We’re going to create a job just for you.”
When the new role was posted publicly, the company received a flood of applications but Kimberly was the top candidate. Why?
Because that role was tailor-made for her.
“Jen, I was ready to give up when HR told me about the hiring freeze. Thank you for pushing me to keep going. This experience shattered so many of my limiting beliefs. I used to think big companies would never consider someone who didn’t check all the boxes let alone create a job just for them.”
This is what career coaching in Singapore can look like:
Not waiting. Not hoping. But taking control of your narrative and showing companies why they can’t afford to miss out on you.
Read more success stories from our clients: Ctrl Alt Career Testimonials
Why Career Coaching Can Be Your Secret Weapon in a Tough Job Market
If you’re tired of sending applications into a void, it might be time to rethink your strategy.
Career coaching can help you:
Refine your positioning
Build authentic confidence
Create a personal brand that opens doors
Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to get hired. You just need the right people to open the right doors and to tell the right story.
Ready to Stop Being Overlooked and Start Getting Hired?
Whether you’re considering a mid-career pivot, a job switch, or just tired of waiting for the right opportunity, the solution lies in how you sell yourself.
👩💻 Book a free discovery call with us at Ctrl Alt Career today — and start your journey from overlooked to hired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Yes — even during hiring freezes and budget cuts, companies are still hiring. The difference lies in how you position yourself. A career coach helps you identify your strengths, sharpen your story, and become the kind of candidate that hiring managers can’t ignore.
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You don’t need to wait for someone to give you permission. A good career coach will help you build a compelling narrative, create a results-based portfolio, and showcase your transferable skills so you’re seen as a valuable asset — not a risky hire.
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DescriYour LinkedIn should reflect your future direction, not just your past roles. A career coach can guide you on rewriting your headline, summary, and experience sections to clearly align with your goals — and stand out to recruiters in your target industry.
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Career coaching isn’t just for fresh grads — in fact, many mid-career professionals feel stuck or overlooked despite their experience. A career coach helps you reframe your narrative, unlock new opportunities, and get the recognition (and roles) you deserve.
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Not necessarily. A career coach can help you find a branding strategy that fits your style — whether it’s writing on LinkedIn, curating a Medium blog, or showcasing results through side projects. It’s not about being everywhere — it’s about being seen where it matters.