My 30-Day Job Search Challenge: How to Find Your Breakthrough When Job Hunting Abroad

I finished! For this 30-day job search challenge I wrote one article a day for 30 days about using data to find a job abroad, and it wasn’t easy. Here’s what happened along the way, what the series is really about, and where it goes next.

Not an easy journey

During those 30 days I traveled to Europe for work (Germany and the UK). I finished one article very drunk at a beer festival, then spent the next day hungover, frantically editing it.

Two hours after I landed in the UK, my phone was snatched by someone on a moving vehicle. A Bentley driver who saw it happen helped me track the phone to a neighborhood until the signal dropped, then kindly drove us to the police station to file a report.

I also finished one article in a rush right before a flight, on internet borrowed from the American traveler next to me (with no phone, I’d become a caveman), and managed to submit it before takeoff.

The whole trip was wild, almost like a dream.

To keep writing I let go of a lot of things I usually insist on, and I missed a lot of sights. But it also helped me sort out my own thinking, and I hope it helps you.

What is this series really about?

The core idea of the series is that measuring things can really help your job search.

Let me repeat the most important concepts.

The core question is: “What data can help me move forward?”

There are a few steps:

• Diagnose: figure out which stage of the job search you’re in (applying, phone screens, formal interviews, or already holding an offer), so you know which key metric to improve. Throughout the series I use a red, yellow and green light system as the basis for diagnosis, to help you quickly assess where you are.
• Ideate: come up with strategies that can effectively improve that key metric, such as raising your resume’s response rate or your interview success rate.
• Experiment: make a concrete action plan with measurable goals and a timeline. This may include adjusting your resume, doing mock interviews or applying to a set number of jobs.
• Test: run the plan and collect data. Whenever something is unclear, take action to get more information. Keep adjusting your strategy based on the feedback and keep improving your job search.

Looking back at why I wrote the series

The series organizes my own experience of job hunting abroad, plus what I learned helping mentees in many countries go after jobs abroad.

The original idea was simple: “Instead of explaining the same thing every time someone asks, I’ll write it down. People can read it and then come back to discuss.”

At least that goal was met.

Next, I’ll keep updating the articles and keep sharing more.

What my 30-day job search challenge covered

Looking back, we explored how to use the Data-Driven Job Search method at every stage of a job search, including:

• Writing resumes and cover letters: how to raise your response rate so your resume stands out from the crowd.
• Raising your interview rate: using data to find the best strategy and timing for applications, so you get more interview invitations.
• Interview preparation and skills: raising your interview success rate through mock interviews, practice problems and more.
• Evaluating and negotiating offers: how to quantify your decision criteria and constraints, choose what suits you best and negotiate better terms.
• Career growth and transitions: using a “future resume” to assess your growth at a company and decide when to leave and look for new opportunities.

The value of the Data-Driven Job Search method:

• Objective assessment: use data and metrics to judge your situation and market value objectively.
• Efficient improvement: find the key problem and adjust your strategy to target it, so your job search gets more efficient.
• Continuous improvement: keep collecting feedback and data, keep refining your job search process and keep getting more competitive.

Thank you

Thank you for joining me on this tough journey. Your support is what keeps me sharing.

I’ll keep publishing more practical content and grow with you.

I hope this series helps you on your job search path, and that you find the job you want soon and start a new chapter in your career!