Rejection stings—especially when you feel like you were the right fit.

I recently worked with a corporate leader who wanted to use his leadership in smaller organizations than he had previously.. He had the skills, the experience, and the drive. But after an interview, the hiring manager gave him feedback that felt like a gut punch:

"You’re too corporate."

He took it hard. He assumed this meant he’d never make the leap. But instead of accepting that narrative, we rewrote the story.

Why Perception Matters More Than Qualifications

This client wasn’t actually "too corporate." He had plenty of scrappy, adaptable experience—it just wasn’t coming through in his resume or interviews.

Together, we shifted the way he told his story:

✔ We reworked his resume to highlight agility over structure.
✔ We repositioned his experience to emphasize problem-solving over process.
✔ We created new talking points to show how he had navigated ambiguity, adapted quickly, and thrived in fast-moving enviro...

Does Your Job Search Feel Like Chaos?

If your job search feels like juggling 25 browser tabs—applications half-done, follow-ups forgotten, interviews unprepared—you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re trying to manage so many moving parts. But here’s the truth: chaos doesn’t create results—focus does.

One of my clients recently turned their chaotic search into a streamlined strategy that produced real results. Let me show you how they did it and how you can, too.

Start with Time Blocking: Structure Your Week for Success
The first step to a focused job search is to set aside dedicated time. My client started by blocking 20 hours a week specifically for their job search.

This approach helps eliminate the “I’ll get to it later” mentality and creates accountability. Whether you’re balancing a job search with work, school, or personal commitments, time blocking ensures you stay consistent.

Pro Tip: Treat these hours like non-negotiable appointments. Block them in y...

Searching for a new job can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling other responsibilities and commitments. To succeed, effective time management is key, allowing you to streamline your job search process, reduce stress, and maximize productivity. I’m Polly Rowland, and as a career coach, I’ve helped countless job seekers take control of their schedules to reach their career goals. My time management approach centers on intentional planning, proactive goal-setting, and focusing on what truly matters. In this post, I’ll share my strategies to help you take charge of your time and make meaningful progress in your job search.

Intentional Planning: My Method for Optimal Productivity

In my approach, intentionality is essential. I encourage my clients to block out dedicated times on their calendars for specific tasks, treating these blocks as non-negotiable commitments. Each time slot should be approached with a clear objective in mind, which minimizes wasted time and ensures that ever...