“I’m doing everything right… So why am I getting nowhere?”

Today I’m analysing the situation of Maya.

Maya reached out because she’s job hunting hard, and it’s not adding up.

She’s applied for around 90 roles since being caught in a restructuring. She’s had three interviews. And she’s left thinking, what on earth is going on?

On paper, she’s strong. She’s got a creative-leaning background, she’s moved into customer success, she’s worked across time zones, and she genuinely cares about people. She’s the kind of person customers say, “You’ve changed customer success for us.”

But the market doesn’t care how hard you’re working if your strategy is fuzzy.

What’s the challenge?

Maya is doing the classic “spray and pray” job hunt. It’s targeted in the sense that she’s applying for customer success roles, but she doesn’t have a clear vision for which companies, which kind of role, and what story she’s leading with.

She’s also trying to fight AI with AI, customising her CV for every role, stuffing in keywords… and still not getting traction.

And when she does get close, the feedback can feel maddeningly subjective.

That’s the bit that can mess with your head: when you know you’re good, but you can’t quite get it to land in a high-stakes conversation.

How can she move forward?

She needs to stop trying to win the job hunt with volume.

The move now is clarity, narrative, and human contact.

Because if Maya can get in the room, she does well. The problem is getting in the room.

My advice

1. Put the plan down on paper

Before you apply to another role, get clear on your target: the types of companies, the scope, the culture, the manager you want, and what “good” looks like for you.

A plan becomes the map. Without it, everything feels random and exhausting.

2. Make your story easy to “get” in 3 seconds

Right now, Maya’s experience is strong, but it’s not being understood fast enough.

Decide what you want them to think in the first few seconds, and shape your profile, CV, and intro around that. Keep it clean, clear, and confident.

3. Network your way into the shortlist

Job boards are chaos right now. Maya doesn’t need more applications. She needs more conversations.

Pick a shortlist of companies, start warm outreach, ask for career chats, and get your CV into human hands.

4. Bring structure to your interview energy

Maya’s energy is a strength, but in interviews it can read as scattered.

Use a structure. Slow down. Land your point. Practice out loud. The goal is to stay warm and excited without losing clarity.

Maya doesn’t need to become someone else to get hired. She just needs a plan that makes her value obvious.

If you’re in a similar place, applying loads and getting nowhere, my Creative Career Level Up programme will help you get clear, build a plan, and execute it properly (with the support to actually stick with it).