There’s a haunted house out there for every ghost. The trick? Finding the right one. And wouldn’t it be magical to have the right ghosts and goblins make introductions, sneak you past the trolls at the gate, and land you inside that deliciously decrepit house you’ve been dying to haunt?
But if you made it inside, would you be ready to:
- Explain why your career sometimes looks like a maze straight out of a cornfield?
- Show why you’re not just another pumpkin in the patch?
- Handle the skeletons rattling out of your closet during an interview?
- Convince them they don’t need a younger witch to stir the cauldron?
Don’t shuffle off home thinking your broom is broken and your cauldron is cracked. This Halloween, treat yourself to a stash of job search goodies — proven strategies that’ll give your career a serious sugar rush.
What’s the Scariest Part of Job Searching?
The scariest part of the hunt isn’t the ghosts, goblins, or ghouls. It’s being unprepared. If you’re looking for a job, the one spell you absolutely must master is knowing your unique value.
“You must not wait for somebody to determine your skills and experience could be what they need to get them from point A to point B,” says Saundra Botts, ExecuNet Career Strategist.
Here’s the harsh truth: companies won’t puzzle out how you fit. That’s your job. The market is frightening for anyone who can’t clearly articulate their Value Story — but it’s filled with opportunity for those who can.
Lost in the Cornfield Maze?
Don’t wander like a zombie. If your career path looks twisty, own the story. Every turn, every detour, every jump has a reason. You accomplished your goals, closed chapters, and chased new challenges. That’s not wandering; that’s gathering spells, potions, and power.
Executives move around. Downsizing, pivots, recessions, pandemics — they’ve haunted everyone. What matters is the perspective you cast on your path.
“If you are responding to the topic as deficient, then it will be perceived as deficient,” reminds Andrea Briscoe, ExecuNet Career Strategist.
So don’t frame it as job hopping or gaps. Frame it as steppingstones in your “hero’s journey.” Gaps become transitions, jobs become quests, and together they tell the story of a leader gaining mastery.
Ghosts, Goblins, and Networking Magic
Networking isn’t trick-or-treating — it’s gift-giving. Knock on doors with a spirit of generosity, not just a bag for candy.
At Christmas, people give. At Halloween, people take. Networking is Christmas. Give value, share advice, make introductions. The more you help, the more the spirits of goodwill will rise to help you.
Pay it forward, and it will come back — often faster than you think.
Skeletons in the Closet? Show Them Your Magic
Every haunted house has skeletons. Interviewers may ask about failures, mistakes, or missed targets. Don’t tremble. This is your chance to show growth.
ExecuNet’s Director of Coaching Services, Harriette Lowenthal, suggests a simple incantation:
- Name the challenge
- Describe the action taken (or not)
- Show the missed target
- Reveal the lesson learned
And here’s the twist: immediately share another example where you applied that lesson and triumphed. That’s not skeletons — that’s resurrection!
Afraid They Want a Younger Witch?
So your cauldron has a few cracks in it! Big deal. You can’t control your age — but you can control your strategy.
- Keep your LinkedIn sharp and SEO-optimized with a clear, compelling value message.
- Target companies where your experience matches their pain points.
- Use your network — at your level, resumes don’t open doors; people do.
- Focus on the problems you solve, not the years you’ve lived.
And for the love of bats — don’t walk into an interview defensive about age. Nobody’s counting candles on your pumpkin unless you light them yourself. Focus of the problems you can solve for them.
Highlight your global perspective, crisis management skills, cross-generational leadership, and proven results. Package your career like the premium brand it is. As ExecuNet Career Strategist Mark Brodsky says, “Wield your experience like the unfair advantage it actually is.”
And please, don’t ever call yourself “seasoned.” You’re not a meatloaf!
Final Treats Before You Fly Off
- Stay current with tech (your broom should have Wi-Fi and AI by now)
- Buy a new suit (ditch the mothballs)
- Get in shape (yes, even witches need cardio)
The job market may feel haunted, but you have the tools to cast the right spells. Remember: the haunted house you’re chasing might just be waiting for a ghost exactly like you.
