3 Smarter-Not-Harder Ways to Job Search (that most people overlook)

So... a post I shared recently kind of blew up.

Over 12,000 people saw it, and I realized: this struck a chord.

Neh...hit a nerve.

Because most job seekers? They’re relying way too heavily on job boards. And then wondering why they’re burned out, ghosted, feeling stuck...or just getting nowhere.

If you missed the post, here’s the TLDR:

✅ Use Google strategically (hello, site:greenhouse.io searches)
✅ Set up Google Alerts for the roles you want
✅ Tap into lesser-known job boards

Don't worry, we're gonna get into all of it...

But first, if we haven’t met yet, I’m Tessa. 👋🏽

Before I became a Career Coach and Job Search Strategist, I spent a decade as a corporate recruiter and talent program designer—yep, even during the wild ride that was the pandemic era. I’ve hired thousands of employees, built talent programs from scratch, and worked for one of the most sought-after tech companies in the country.

(Fun fact: I landed a role with my dream company that wasn’t even posted--if you want that story, check it out here!)

So yes, the candidate pool was competitive.

And I’ve seen firsthand what actually works—

☑️ What gets candidates noticed
☑️ What gets them hired
☑️ And what separates the ones who land offers from those who get skipped in the resume stack.

Now I teach job seekers how to flip the script and do the same thing—strategically and intentionally.

Because here are the cold. hard. facts: Job boards really are just ONE piece of the puzzle.

Relying on them alone is like standing in line at the 🚗 DMV without an appointment—just hoping to get called. Meanwhile, other people walk in and get seen right away.

Why? Because they knew what to do, found the right section on the website, and booked an appointment ahead of time.

Job boards are like that general line. You'll eventually get seen, but it’s a long wait, and the odds aren’t in your favor. Hell, they may even tell you to go home because they've hit their limit for the day.

The smarter strategy? Know where to look, and how to move with intention (not panic).

So if you’ve been:

🚫 Applying to 200+ jobs with no traction
🚫 Getting ghosted over and over
🚫 Feeling like you’re doing everything "right" but nothing’s working...

Here's some good news: It’s probably not you...it’s your strategy.

(You can breathe that sigh of relief now.)

via GIPHY

It's important to diversify your job search efforts vs. sticking all your eggs in the one basket that is the standard job board.

So let's talk about three creative ways to boost your job search strategy so you're not just...you know, dying a slow death in that general DMV line. 😏

💻 Use Google Like a Recruiter

Sure, Google's great for finding the "Top Rated Matcha Latte" in your city and the "Best Running Shoes for Beginners in 2025." But what most job seekers don’t realize is just how powerful Google can be for job searching.

Instead of typing generic searches into job boards, give something like this a try:

site:greenhouse.io "project manager" remote

This more targeted Google search has site-specific commands and it pulls results directly from one of the most popular ATS platforms recruiters use: Greenhouse.

Plus, it skips all the fluff from the usual boards.

Kind of like a Disney parks Lightning Lane. ⚡

If you want to hone your search even more, combine that search with Boolean logic—a fancy term for adding phrases like AND, OR, and quotes—to refine your results even further.

When you start thinking like a recruiter, you uncover a lot of roles most candidates aren’t even seeing.

And speaking of finding roles no one else is seeing...

🚨 Set Up Smart Alerts So Opportunities Come to You

Instead of checking the same-old-same-old job boards every day, set up Google Alerts for specific roles you want so the right opportunities come to you.

Just combine your title + ideal industry or work environment—here's how that looks:

"People Operations Manager" + "remote" + "climate tech"

Google emails you whenever a new result pops up that fits your search. You can create as many alerts as you want—tailored by location, title, or keywords.

It's not just a timesaver, either. Setting up alerts gives you a head start because you see the job right when it posts.

And in today's world of, "I went to apply for a job I saw yesterday and now it's gone," we can use all the help we can get. That slight edge 🤏🏽could be the difference between landing your next job and never seeing the post at all.

Which is exactly why it pays to expand your horizons—and get a little more creative with where you search.

🔎 Explore Niche Job Boards That Actually Fit You

Look, general job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn have their place—and they absolutely serve a purpose. But because two things can be true, they’re also incredibly crowded.

(Raise your hand if you've seen a job post with over 1,000 applicants. I know I have. 🤚🏽)

It’s easy to feel lost in the shuffle when you’re one of hundreds (or thousands) applying to the same listing. So it pays to also venture into platforms that align more with the industry, values, or career goals you have in mind.

Here are a few great places to start:

• BuiltIn – Focused on tech and startup roles, especially in innovative and growth-stage companies.

• Idealist – Great for nonprofit, mission-driven, or social impact work.

• Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) – Ideal for early-stage startup roles and those seeking fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.

Boards like these tend to attract employers who are looking for specific backgrounds. Meaning they can be less noisy. Plus, you’re more likely to discover:

✅ Roles that aren’t posted everywhere else
✅ Employers aligned with your personal values or industry interests
✅ Flexible, remote-friendly, or growth-centric opportunities

When you go where the competition isn’t swarming🐝, there's more space for you to shine through.

And when you combine this strategy with the first two—using Google like a recruiter and setting up smart alerts? Woo girl, look OUT...that's where the real momentum is created.

📈 Where Strategy Meets Results

Here’s the kicker: I didn’t just pull these ideas from thin air.

This is the kind of stuff I used to do as a recruiter (which is why I advise my clients on it now).

When I had a req (fancy word for job) to fill, I didn’t just sit around hoping someone applied. I searched. I got scrappy. I used Google, Boolean strings, niche boards, social sourcing—you name it. Because the best candidates out there weren’t always the ones applying.

I had to go find them.

And that’s why I don’t just teach my clients how to job search—I show them how to outsmart the job search system.

So if you're feeling scattered, overwhelmed, frustrated or just...hopeless—here’s your reminder:

There’s a better way— and, no it's not wasting the next 3-months, rapid-fire applying to every job you see because you're afraid you can't find the right one.

And then seeing no results.

In fact, that’s exactly why I created my VIP Day offer. ⤵️

This isn’t a DIY course or a generalized group session. This is you and me, 1:1, building the fully custom strategy designed to reach your goals—quickly and strategically.

We don't just piece together a strategy—we create one.

And by the end, you’ll have:

⭐ A clear plan, designed specifically for you
⭐ Tangible next steps to meet your goals—whether that's the higher salary, more WFH flexibility, an industry you feel passionate about, or something else, entirely.
⭐ And a renewed sense of confidence that you’re finally doing it the right way

Right now, my clients are:

➡️ Landing interviews within 2-3 weeks of partnering with me
➡️ Being contacted by Recruiters in as little as 24-hours of implementing my strategies (some for roles that haven't even hit the job boards yet!)
➡️ And seeing an average of 30-40% salary increases

If that sounds like the kind of transformation you’ve been chasing—real traction, strategic progress, and offers that match what you deserve—you know where to find me:

📅 Book Your Free Clarity Call and we'll chat about the next best step for you—together.