It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when my job search began. It was sporadic for a few years, but a truly committed search didn’t start until 2024, after I earned my PMP (Project Management Professional) and PSM I (Professional Scrum Master) certifications. Even then, I didn’t adopt a more aggressive, strategic approach until around November. What follows are the key strategies that, in hindsight, appeared to make the biggest difference in my journey.
The first turning point in my job search was the decision to pursue certifications that would strengthen my professional profile. Earning the PMP was particularly impactful, as it seemed to be either a prerequisite or a highly preferred qualification for many management roles. Interestingly, my previous employer had offered PMP training to several of us managers, but the program was so poorly implemented that only one person actually sat for the exam at the time.
With both the PMP and PSM I certifications under my belt, I finally felt ready to pursue new opportunities. However, an unexpected side effect was that this renewed focus on learning reignited my passion for personal growth. This led me to apply to MBA programs, ultimately choosing the Gies School of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign after being accepted by all three programs I applied to.
Initially, my approach was to submit as many applications as possible, sending out resume after resume to a wide range of companies and positions. The result? Nearly zero responses. It became clear that I needed a more refined strategy to stand out from the crowd, especially with so many other professionals—many from recent tech layoffs—competing for the same roles.
One of the first steps I took was leveraging my local Pittsburgh PMI chapter membership, which I had joined while preparing for the PMP exam. Around that time, I noticed an announcement for chapter elections, including an opening for Vice President of Programs — a role responsible for booking speakers and overseeing chapter events.
With extensive event planning experience and a desire to expand my professional network, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I was elected (a little secret: I ran unopposed!) and quickly dove into the role. This position not only provided a visible platform to demonstrate my skills and professionalism but also introduced me to industry experts — both within the chapter and beyond — as I sought speakers for our events. In fact, one of the folks I met through PMI was Trisha Starrett, an SVP with BNY. In addition to being a great sounding board, she was kind enough to let me use her as a reference on job applications. Which I’m convinced is why I had higher than normal interview rates with BNY. But Fred Koos, also with PMI and a relatively new SVP at BNY, provided me with a great perspective going into my first interview.
And while PMI played a significant role, my networking extended far beyond it. I am grateful for all of the recruiters that took the time to give me feedback on my resume and job search (although none actually got me any interviews), my colleagues who wrote nice things about me and introduced me to others, my friends such as Adam Kramer for believing in me enough to recommend me at their companies, my family for their constant encouragement and support, the kind folks at PwC –Jackie, Ellen, Hannah, and Will – and KPMG –Alex and Jason – who spent time sharing so many invaluable insights, both personal and organizational. Honestly, there are far too many people to thank but if you’re reading this, know that I am grateful for any help you offered.
Despite progress in networking, I still wasn’t gaining much traction with applications. My biggest hurdle seemed to be getting past the initial resume screening. While I wondered if age discrimination played a role, I knew peers my age were landing jobs, so I focused on improving my resume.
This led me to Jobscan, where I reluctantly embraced the tedious but effective practice of tailoring every resume to match each job description — aiming for at least a 75% match. It was time-consuming, but the results spoke for themselves. At the same time, I stopped submitting cover letters, as multiple recruiters mentioned they were rarely read.
Even with a more tailored resume approach, I wanted to further differentiate myself. That’s when I decided to build a personal website, functioning as a professional calling card distinct and more personal than LinkedIn. With feedback from trusted colleagues, I refined the site to showcase not just my professional accomplishments, but also my volunteering efforts, community involvement, and personal interests.
This decision proved valuable. Increasingly, job applications were asking for website links, and my site allowed me to provide more detailed insights and visuals that a traditional resume couldn’t capture.
One piece of advice that truly resonated came from a LinkedIn post: “Limit the bulk of your job search to a handful of companies.”
Inspired by this, I narrowed my focus to six organizations that stood out during my ongoing job hunt. To solidify this strategy, I wrote a blog post explaining how I selected five of those companies. Originally, my shortlist included these five, but after multiple introductions to inspiring, down-to-earth people at PwC, I added them as a sixth.
With my top six companies identified, my strategy shifted:
This focused approach proved not only to be less scattershot, and thus less stressful, but it also deepened my understanding of each company and made my networking efforts more targeted and effective.
One of the most valuable lessons came from a local KPMG recruiter. After two rejections from KPMG, I asked for feedback. She reviewed my resume and told me: “It’s probably not your qualifications but more likely it’s your timing. You probably applied after they had already found a strong candidate or progressed deep into interviews.”
This was eye-opening. While I had heard this advice before, hearing it directly from a recruiter at one of my target companies was the push I needed. It highlighted a new reality: top companies receive hundreds of qualified applications within hours of posting a job. Applying immediately was crucial.
Armed with this insight, I decided to automate my job search. Using ChatGPT, I created a Python script that crawled the career pages of my top six companies every 20 minutes. The script sends an email alert whenever a new remote or Pittsburgh-based role is posted.
Building the script required me to learn new technologies and coding techniques, and troubleshooting was no small task. However, the effort paid off, transforming my job search into a proactive, real-time process.
So, what was the result of all this effort? I’m thrilled to share that I landed a role at one of my top six companies: BNY. Just this past week, I joined the firm as Vice President, Client Processing I – Operations Project Lead, a newly created role with the potential to grow into a full-fledged team.
Beyond the compensation and benefits, what excites me most is the culture. The people I interviewed with, Matt & Corey — my new managers — were welcoming, down-to-earth, and genuinely supportive. It truly feels like I’ve hit the jackpot.
Reflecting on my job search, a few key takeaways stand out:
While the journey was challenging, each step contributed to the outcome. I’m excited for this next chapter at BNY and grateful for the lessons learned along the way.