Job Fishing

This book, "Job Fishing" by Leonardo Mora, offers practical advice and a unique perspective on navigating the modern job market1. It emphasizes a proactive approach to career management, coining the term "job fishing" to describe the continuous process of staying aware of market opportunities and expanding one's professional network, even while currently employed
Here's a summary of its strengths:
Proactive Job Search Philosophy: The core strength of the book is its advocacy for "job fishing" – continuously looking for and being open to new opportunities rather than only job hunting when unemployed. Mora argues that it's significantly easier to find a new job when you already have one, as it provides leverage for negotiation and reduces stress
Emphasis on LinkedIn: The book highlights LinkedIn as the modern resume and a crucial tool for job seekers, providing detailed guidance on how to create a comprehensive and effective profile. It covers various sections of a LinkedIn profile, from personal information and experience to skills and publications
Negotiation Strategies: Mora provides valuable insights into salary negotiation, advising readers to always negotiate their rate before sending their resume to a recruiter. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the potential for significantly increasing compensation through effective negotiation8.
Realistic View of the Job Market: The book acknowledges the uncertainties of the contemporary job market, particularly the "at will" employment nature in the US, where jobs can be terminated without much notice. It prepares readers for this reality and offers strategies to mitigate its impact
Importance of Networking with Recruiters: A key takeaway is the recommendation to connect with as many recruiters as possible on LinkedIn and maintain these connections. Mora emphasizes that recruiters are vital sources of job opportunities and market information, and can guide candidates through the interviewing process
Personal Experience and Anecdotes: The author shares his personal experiences, including the challenges of finding a job in the US and learning how to craft an effective resume, which adds a relatable and credible dimension to the advice
Practical Tips: Beyond the broad strategies, the book offers concrete tips such as not putting dates on education in a LinkedIn profile to avoid age discrimination , being wary of job-related spam , and the advantage of taking new learning opportunities
Hey Differences when finding a job with or without a job.
1. Leverage and Negotiation Power**
**When employed:**
* You already have income, which means you aren’t desperate for the next paycheck.
* You can be selective about the roles, salary, benefits, and culture.
* Employers perceive you as “validated” by your current company—you’re actively contributing somewhere, which signals competence and stability.
* You can afford to walk away from offers that don’t meet your criteria.
**When unemployed:**
* You lack that buffer. Every offer feels urgent, creating internal pressure.
* Employers sense the urgency (even subtly), which can weaken your negotiating position. They may assume you’ll accept less than your worth.
* The imbalance in power favors the employer: they can offer lower salary, fewer perks, or more demanding conditions because you “need the job.”
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2. Social Proof and Perceived Value**
**When employed:**
* Being hired elsewhere is a subtle signal that you’re in demand.
* Your current employment provides a form of credibility: you’re “good enough” to be actively contributing elsewhere.
**When unemployed:**
* The gap raises doubts in the mind of the interviewer, even if unfounded. Questions like, “Why aren’t you employed?” or “Did something happen at your last job?” may subtly imply risk.
* Your value is harder to demonstrate because employers can’t see that you’re currently “productive.”
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3. Psychological Pressure**
**When employed:**
* You can approach interviews with curiosity and confidence: “Is this a better fit than my current role?”
* Stress is lower, which improves performance. Confidence and ease are very attractive in interviews.
**When unemployed:**
* Anxiety is high because of financial and professional pressure.
* This stress can reduce confidence, make you over-answer, or rush you into decisions that signal desperation.
* Subtle cues—tone, body language, wording—can alert the interviewer that you’re in a weaker position.
4. Interview Dynamics and Perception**
**While employed:**
* Employers often see you as a proactive professional seeking growth, not someone fleeing failure.
* You can frame your narrative around opportunity and aspiration.
**While unemployed:**
* The narrative often defaults to necessity: “I need a job, any job.”
* Employers may interpret this as lack of confidence, indecision, or desperation—even if your skills are excellent.
* You have less room to negotiate job structure, salary, or remote options.
5. Network and Access
**When employed:**
* You often have a network of peers, recruiters, or colleagues who can provide references, referrals, or insider opportunities.
* Your position in a company gives you credibility when reaching out to contacts.
When unemployed:
* Some networks may be less responsive if you’re not actively employed.
* You’re forced to rely more on cold applications, which statistically have lower success rates.

Summary: Why it Feels Harder Unemployed
1. **Loss of leverage** – You can’t walk away from a bad offer.
2. **Perception issues** – Employers may view a gap as a risk.
3. **Psychological stress** – Anxiety reduces confidence and performance.
4. **Narrative framing** – Harder to sell yourself as growth-oriented rather than desperate.
5. **Network impact** – Less active employment makes some referrals harder to secure.
Essentially, being employed while job hunting gives you **freedom, credibility, and negotiating power**, while being unemployed often shifts the balance of power to the employer and adds social, psychological, and financial pressure.

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