Lumon is hiring, are you ready?

A fun one for today. Happy Monday!

Applying to jobs through traditional channels often feels like throwing your résumé into the void. You craft the perfect cover letter, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and hit “submit,” only to be met with... silence.

But what if we took a more severed approach?

Apple TV+’s Severance introduced us to Lumon Industries, a company where employees literally separate their work and personal identities. While we wouldn’t recommend surgically splitting your consciousness to optimize productivity (yet), there’s something to be said for rethinking how you present yourself to potential employers.

Instead of getting lost in the black hole of applications, here are a few unconventional ways to stand out—without needing a "severed" self.

The Power of the Unexpected Personal Brand

Think of your job search like a marketing campaign. Would Lumon hire you based on a dull, text-heavy résumé? Unlikely. They’d be looking for someone who feels like they already belong in the company’s eerie, cult-like ecosystem.

Take inspiration from their unnervingly vague LinkedIn page, which presents cryptic, loyalty-driven messaging rather than traditional corporate jargon. Can you mirror this approach by crafting a unique personal brand that intrigues rather than informs? Maybe a creative portfolio disguised as an employee handbook. A résumé formatted like a press release. A website that looks like an old corporate intranet. The goal? Be memorable.

Make Your Own Elevator (or Break Room) Moments

In Severance, workers are confined to endless hallways, never quite sure where they’re headed. Sound familiar? The job hunt often feels just as disorienting. But instead of wandering aimlessly, what if you strategically placed yourself in the “right hallway”?

Rather than waiting for a recruiter to reach out, consider unconventional networking tactics:

• Create engaging LinkedIn content that sparks discussion in your industry (like this 😳).

• Send personalized video messages to hiring managers instead of cover letters.

• Show up at industry events in unexpected ways—perhaps even creating your own micro-event or digital roundtable to discuss trends.

Think of it as crafting your own moment; space where the right conversation could lead to unexpected opportunities.

Build a Work Sample That Can’t Be Ignored

Imagine submitting an application to Lumon. Would “The Board” be impressed?

Your future employer should not require quite the same level of... compliance, but they do want proof that you can do the job. Instead of listing qualifications, demonstrate them:

• If you’re a marketer, launch a creative campaign showcasing your skills.

• If you’re a writer, create an “internal memo” from your future self at the company.

• If you’re in product design, prototype an idea that improves their offering.

Give them something they can’t ignore—something so compelling that they must bring you in.

Engage Directly with the Company’s Digital Presence

One of the most fascinating things about Lumon’s real-world LinkedIn presence is how it acts like a real company, despite being fictional. This demonstrates a brilliant use of digital storytelling—something job seekers can replicate.

Commenting thoughtfully on a company's posts, engaging with employees, and even crafting speculative work tied to their brand can set you apart. Want to work at a cutting-edge agency? Reimagine one of their past campaigns and post it on LinkedIn. Targeting a media company? Write an article about how they could expand their audience. The goal is to show up in their orbit as a problem-solver, not just another applicant.

Be unforgettable

Your job search shouldn't feel that way. You don’t have to rely on the same repetitive process everyone else follows. Break free from the expected, leverage creativity, and take risks.

After all, the best way to get hired isn’t just to apply—it’s to make them wonder how they ever operated without you.

Job Searching in 2025: Network and Reputation

The job market in 2025 is evolving at an unprecedented pace. With AI-driven hiring, remote and hybrid roles, and shifting industry dynamics, traditional job-search methods—like mass-applying online—are becoming less effective. However, one thing remains constant: the power of relationships and reputation. While technology may be reducing human involvement in the initial application process, it plays an even greater role in the key moments that truly matter—when decisions are made, referrals are given, and opportunities arise through trust and credibility.

Many of the best job opportunities never make it to a public job board. They’re shared within circles of trusted colleagues, mentioned in casual conversations, or offered through referrals. That’s why your network is one of your greatest assets.

A strong, engaged network isn’t just about having thousands of LinkedIn connections—it’s about building real relationships with colleagues, mentors, peers, and industry professionals. People are more likely to recommend or hire someone they know, trust, and have had positive interactions with.

A few things I've seen to strengthen your network:

✅ Stay engaged—Don’t just reach out when you need something. Check in, congratulate others on their achievements, and be an active participant in your industry.

✅ Give before you take—Offer value by sharing insights, making introductions, or simply supporting others' work.

✅ Attend industry events (virtual or in-person)—Conferences, webinars, and networking events help keep you visible and connected.

✅ Be consistent on professional platforms—Posting thoughtful content, commenting on discussions, and engaging with peers can help keep you top-of-mind.

Beyond networking, your professional reputation precedes you. In today’s digital-first world, how you communicate, collaborate, and treat others leaves a lasting impression.

In an era where hiring managers and recruiters increasingly look for personal endorsements and social proof, being known as someone who is professional, reliable, and kind can set you apart.

Here’s how I try to maintain a strong reputation:

✅ Always be professional—Even in challenging situations, your ability to stay composed and solution-focused will be remembered.

✅ Be kind and supportive—People gravitate toward those who uplift others. Your encouragement and generosity can create lasting goodwill.

✅ Deliver on your commitments—Reputation isn’t built overnight—it’s the result of consistently showing up, following through, and adding value.

✅ Be mindful of your online presence—Your social media activity, LinkedIn engagement, and even email etiquette contribute to your professional brand.

Job searching in 2025 isn’t just about sending applications—it’s about being intentional with your relationships and reputation. The opportunities you seek today may come from the connections you nurture and the professionalism you demonstrate along the way.

So, as you navigate your career this year and beyond, remember: Your network is your net worth, and your reputation is your legacy. Invest in both.

#JobSearch #Networking #CareerGrowth #Professionalism #JobHunting2025 #OpenToWork

Catalyzing Relevance: Bridging Human Needs and Business Performance Through Growth Strategy

Businesses are constantly challenged to stay relevant. Relevance, however, isn’t just about maintaining visibility—it’s about forging meaningful connections between human needs and business performance. Growth strategy serves as the bridge between these two dimensions, providing a structured approach to innovate, adapt, and thrive while addressing the evolving desires of customers, employees, and stakeholders.

At its core, a successful growth strategy isn’t just about driving numbers; it’s about creating value where it matters most. Aligning this value with human-centric goals transforms relevance from a fleeting advantage into a sustainable driver of performance.

The Power of Relevance in Growth

Relevance in business has always been a moving target, shaped by shifting consumer expectations, technological advances, and cultural trends. But today, with access to unprecedented levels of data and insights, businesses have a unique opportunity to shape their growth strategies in ways that resonate deeply with their audiences.

Consider companies like Netflix or Apple. These organizations consistently adapt to consumer needs, using data to inform their product offerings and innovations. Their growth strategies focus not just on expanding their markets but on creating ecosystems of value that align with customer priorities—be it personalization, quality, or simplicity.

Human Needs as the Blueprint for Strategic Growth

To catalyze relevance, businesses must ground their growth strategies in the fundamental drivers of human behavior. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it flourishes when organizations align their ambitions with what people genuinely care about.

1. Belonging and Community: Growth strategies that create shared experiences and foster inclusivity drive deeper engagement. For example, social platforms like LinkedIn grow by building professional communities, addressing the universal human need for connection.

2. Purpose and Impact: Growth accelerates when it aligns with a mission that resonates. A company like Tesla has woven sustainability into its core strategy, using purpose as a differentiator to drive market expansion.

3. Trust and Security: Strategies that prioritize reliability and transparency build lasting relationships. Growth-driven financial services often focus on technologies like blockchain to enhance trust and customer confidence.

4. Personalization and Self-Expression: Tailoring products and services to individual preferences fosters loyalty. Growth strategies centered on AI-driven personalization, such as Spotify’s recommendation engine, demonstrate the value of deeply understanding the customer journey.

Integrating Growth Strategy with Human-Centered Goals

The link between human needs and business performance isn’t incidental—it’s causal. Here’s how growth strategies aligned with relevance amplify both:

• Expanding Market Opportunities: By addressing unmet needs, businesses unlock new customer segments, driving both relevance and revenue growth.

• Driving Operational Efficiency: Processes and systems optimized to deliver what matters most to customers increase both satisfaction and profitability.

• Enhancing Brand Equity: Aligning products with emotional and social values strengthens the brand, creating a competitive edge in crowded markets.

• Sustaining Innovation: Growth strategies built around real human insights encourage continuous innovation, keeping businesses ahead of the curve.

Steps to Catalyze Relevance with Growth Strategy

1. Customer-Centric Research: Growth starts with understanding. Leverage qualitative and quantitative research to uncover the deeper motivations, pain points, and desires of your audience.

2. Value-Driven Differentiation: Use insights to craft unique value propositions that resonate emotionally and practically. This step creates a blueprint for product innovation and market positioning.

3. Scalable Solutions: Growth strategies must balance short-term gains with long-term scalability. Invest in technology, partnerships, or systems that allow your business to expand without compromising quality or relevance.

4. Measure and Adapt: Build KPIs that reflect both business outcomes and human impact. Monitor performance, listen actively, and refine strategies to stay aligned with evolving needs.

Growth in Action: A Case Study

Take the example of Amazon’s growth strategy. The company’s relentless focus on customer-centricity—be it through fast delivery, wide product selection, or personalized recommendations—directly addresses human needs for convenience, choice, and ease. Amazon’s continuous innovation, from Prime to Alexa, demonstrates how growth strategies tied to relevance create ecosystems that are hard to replicate.

The Future of Relevance and Growth

The path to sustainable growth is paved with empathy, adaptability, and innovation. Businesses that approach growth strategy with a focus on human needs not only catalyze relevance but also build resilience against market disruptions.

By embedding customer value and human connection into every facet of their growth strategies, companies can transform relevance from a fleeting goal into a cornerstone of success—delivering not just business performance but also a meaningful impact on the people they serve.