Kristi Kennebrew

For context, before I worked in big tech, I had no idea what I was doing when it came to job searching. I received tons of rejections and really struggled with my job search. So, I created this newsletter with my former self in mind.

The goal is to share insights from amazing people like you. So with that, I’d love to hear from your perspective: what makes a candidate stand out?

First, I just want to say - I’ve been that candidate. I’ve been laid off. I’ve had contracts end. I’ve navigated this space as someone trying to break in and as someone already in it, still trying to figure it out. So I totally understand what that feels like.

And one thing I always want job seekers to remember - what I say in my posts a lot - is: you are hireable. You will get hired again. You’ve brought value to companies before, and you will again. Just keep that truth close.

Now, when it comes to standing out, it’s really about going the extra mile. I always tell job seekers: just applying is not enough anymore. You’ve got to do more. Do some research - find out who the recruiter or hiring manager might be for that role, and send a short, thoughtful message to let them know you applied and why you might be a good fit. It doesn’t need to be long, just something that shows effort. That extra step? It really matters.

On the flip side, are there any things candidates shouldn’t do when reaching out to recruiters?

The biggest one is the “Do you have a role for me?” message. If you’re reaching out cold, a recruiter isn’t going to know your background. We do our best to go through messages and respond to as many people as we can - but that kind of message is the least impactful.

The other one is the life story - messages that are paragraphs long. As sourcers and recruiters, we receive tons of outreach. We don’t always have the time to read these messages and give the thoughtful responses they might deserve. So I’d say: avoid super vague or super long messages.

Instead, do the work first - figure out what roles you’re interested in, what you’re qualified for, and reach out with that in mind. For example, “Hey, I saw this specific role, I’ve done XYZ that aligns with it, and I’d love to connect.” This way, even if I don’t have a role for you, now that I know what you’re looking for, I may know someone that can help you. I’m always happy to help navigate and this type of message helps me help you.

What's your number one piece of advice for jobseekers?

Have something memorable about yourself - a pitch or personal tagline. Something that makes you stand out during interviews.

There are so many people interviewing right now, and candidates often tell me, “I’m getting interviews, but I’m not moving forward.” You’ve got to make an impression.

For me, I always introduce myself by saying, “I go by Get Me Hired Kristi, and I’m the bridge that connects job seekers to their dream jobs.” It’s a brand I’ve built on LinkedIn and something I carry with me no matter what company I’m at.

And yeah, maybe someone else could say something similar - but they’re not going to say it with my energy. And they’re definitely not going to say “Get Me Hired Kristi,” which makes it catchy and memorable. So even if it feels a little corny - go with it. It works.

The market is super saturated right now. Recruiters are getting so many applications. What makes one stand out?

Great question. When I’m sourcing, I’m not always starting with the resume - I’m often looking at LinkedIn profiles first. But when I do look at resumes, I’m scanning quickly for:

• Do you meet the minimum qualifications?

• Can I see that clearly in the resume?

Especially for people who are transitioning careers - make sure your transferable skills are obvious and easy to find. The quicker I can identify that you're a fit, the more likely I am to move you forward.

Speaking of transitioning, you started your career in sales at Oracle before moving into recruiting. Can you talk a bit about how you made that transition and any advice for others trying to pivot?

Absolutely, I love talking about this! Every year on my transition anniversary, I make a post about it. Because it really shows what’s possible.

When I wanted to move from sales to recruiting, the first thing I did was network. I searched on LinkedIn for people who had made that same transition - sales to recruiting - and I reached out. I did coffee chats. And not everyone responded, which is fine, but a few did. And those conversations were gold.

I asked them about their journeys, and I took what I learned and applied it. For example, I changed up my resume to reflect skills like sourcing, outreach, and conversions - things I was already doing in sales. I talked about my metrics, like how many calls I booked or how I was able to get people to respond to messages.

In interviews, I was honest. I said, “Hey, I may not have exactly the recruiting experience, but here’s what I do have - and here’s why it’s relevant.” Framing is everything.

You’re a LinkedIn Learning Instructor and go by Get Me Hired Kristi. Can you share more about both of these?

I have two LinkedIn Learning courses:

1. Networking at Work - this one’s about how to network within your workplace so you can grow and move into new opportunities.
   

2. Mentorship in the Workplace - how to find mentors, how to connect with people, and how to use those relationships to grow in your career.

I’m super passionate about making sure folks have community and support once they’re in the door, too.

I go by Get Me Hired Kristi, and I’m the bridge that connects job seekers to their dream jobs. My mission is to help underrepresented talent recognize their skills and break into tech.

I didn’t have anyone to guide me when I was starting out, but I was able to figure it out - and now it’s my turn to give back. Whether it’s money tips, branding advice, networking strategies - I share everything I’ve learned so others don’t have to figure it all out alone.

You can follow Kristi on LinkedIn, visit her website, take her LinkedIn learning courses Tips for Navigating Mentorship in the Workplace and Effective Networking at Work, or watch this video which helps jobseekers understand their transferable skills.

38 new remote roles! 🙌

Thank you so much for taking the time to read today’s newsletter! If you have any feedback, please let me know down below. Have a great rest of the week and see you in the next one! Cheers, Brenna

Other ways I can help you

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