Lately, I’ve interacted with a wide variety of people in career search mode. On one end of the spectrum are those just graduating from college or having recently graduated and struggling to find jobs. On the other end of the candidate pool are those in their 50s and 60s in career transition — often told they are too experienced, not local enough, or unable to translate their skills to today’s market.
With that as the backdrop, I had the good fortune of meeting Meghan Popoleo, President of The O’Connor Group, an HR and talent acquisition consulting firm. She generously shared insights with advice that was practical, candid, and surprisingly consistent across both groups.
Beginning with those entering the job market…
- Demonstrate what you did, not simply where you went. With strong grades and rigorous coursework being the price of entry, Meghan is not scanning young people’s resumes for GPAs or majors. She is looking at what candidates did outside the classroom. Student athletes, club leaders, orientation guides – people who chose to show up and represent something – those are her prospects of choice. “Every person at your company is a mini marketer,” she said. That mindset starts before you ever walk in the door.
- “AI literacy” is essential. Meghan suggests that everyone include an AI literacy section on their resume – articulating which tools you know and describing what you built, streamlined, or solved using them. According to Meghan, every job going forward will have an AI component, and candidates who can demonstrate comfort in that space will stand out immediately.
- Networking remains the critical difference maker when it comes to landing a job. The biggest job search mistake she sees from young people? Staying behind a screen. Not picking up the phone. Not sending a thank you note. Not building a LinkedIn presence early enough to matter. Meghan cited a figure worth remembering: 80 to 85 percent of jobs are still filled through networking and human referrals. AI cannot replicate the phone call where someone says, “You need to meet this person.”
For experienced professionals, her advice was equally direct:
- Stay open. Meghan works with C-suite professionals in career transition, some of whom have been on the market for over a year. The obstacle is rarely a lack of skill. It is a lack of flexibility. “You need to be open to trying something new,” she said. “Not just staying in the only lane you know.” In fact, her newest hire is a veteran with 35 years of experience who always made a point to stay in touch. She is warm, curious, and consistent. When it was time to hire, the decision was easy. Though her work was in a different industry, Meghan said, “I cannot imagine my life without her. She is a mentor to the women on my team, and she is already bringing in business.”
- Leverage AI to reframe your experience. Very practically speaking, upload your resume alongside a target job description and ask it to identify transferable skills and surface the right keywords for recruiters. Then do the human work – get on LinkedIn, find the right people at the right companies, and reach out.
- Seek candid feedback from a trusted peer or coach. This one may feel slightly uncomfortable… Meghan encourages you to engage someone who is willing to tell you when you have “lettuce in your teeth.” With kindness and compassion, that individual must be unafraid to encourage you to select a different outfit, alter the tone of a resume, consider other opportunities. You trust them because you know they care for you and you value their advice. Meghan did offer up one caveat: Choose carefully. She says, “Everyone thinks they are an executive coach these days!”
As we wrapped up our conversation, Meghan said, “No matter the age, people hire energy and skills more than a resume now. Get out there. Network with intention. Ask for help. And become AI literate, no matter where you are in that journey.” She is not worried that AI will replace human connection. She sees them running in parallel. Candidates who figure that out, at any age, are the ones who land.
With appreciation to Meghan, wishing you good luck on your career journey.
Happy Networking!