Wednesday · Outreach Strategy Day
Job Search & Outreach
Strategy Checklist
The Proactive Positioning System — job search and outreach only. Work through each section. Tick as you go.
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Section 01
Before you apply — find real roles only
Run the ghost job audit before applying to any role
Check all 5 signals: posting older than 30 days · vague or generic JD · no named contact · same role posted 3+ times · company LinkedIn inactive. 3 or more red signals — skip it.
Check your 20 target company career pages directly — not just job boards
The best DACH roles go to direct applicants and referrals first. Job boards show you what’s left. Check target company pages weekly before you open StepStone or LinkedIn Jobs.
Look for hiring signals even when no role is posted
3+ IT hires on LinkedIn in last 90 days · recent funding · new product launch · market expansion. These mean active hiring before a JD goes live. Reach out now — before anyone else does.
Apply if you meet 70-80% of core requirements — not 100%
German job descriptions are wish lists, not minimums. If the core skills match and your CV leads with outcomes, apply. Stop self-rejecting before the hiring manager sees your name.
Section 02
Find the hiring manager — not the recruiter
Search LinkedIn: [Company] + your function + “Head of” / “Lead” / “Director” / “VP”
You want the person who owns the team and the budget — not HR. That’s who feels the pain of the empty seat. That’s who responds to a well-targeted message.
Find one specific thing about them or their company before you write
A recent post they wrote · a product launch · a role they’re expanding. One specific reference separates your message from every generic one in their inbox. No reference = no response.
Decide English or German for this message
English if: their LinkedIn is in English, international company, role posted in English. German if: traditional Mittelstand, all-German communications. When in doubt — English.
Section 03
The outreach — what to say and when
Send personalised LinkedIn connection request — 300 characters, no pitch
Reference something specific. No CV. No asking for a job. Just a genuine reason to connect.
Connection request
“Hi [Name] — I’m a [role] with [X] years in [sector], exploring opportunities in [city]. I’ve been following [Company]‘s work on [specific thing] and would love to connect.”
Send follow-up message within 24 hours of connection accepted
Short. No CV attachment. No asking for a job. Start a conversation — not a pitch.
Follow-up message
“Thanks for connecting, [Name]. I’ve been looking closely at [Company] — specifically [one specific thing]. My background is in [2-3 relevant areas] and I’ve delivered [one outcome with a number]. I’m not sure if you’re currently hiring but if there’s ever a conversation worth having, I’d welcome it. No pressure either way.”
Reach out BEFORE you apply — not after
When your application lands, your name is already familiar. The hiring manager has context. Most candidates never do this. When you do — you stand out before they’ve read a single line of your CV.
Send 5 new connection requests this week — not 50
Five well-researched, personalised messages beat fifty copy-paste blasts every single time. Quality is the only thing that works in this market.
Section 04
Follow-up — most candidates never do this
Follow up on applications 5-7 days after submitting
In Germany this signals professionalism — not desperation. Most candidates apply and disappear. One follow-up puts you in a different category immediately.
Application follow-up
“Hi [Name] — I applied for [role] last week and wanted to follow up to confirm receipt and reiterate my interest. I believe my background in [specific thing] is directly relevant and I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss further.”
Send one more follow-up if no response after 7 more days — then move on
Two follow-ups is the limit. Persistence is professional. Pestering is not. After two — remove from active list and redirect your energy.
Second follow-up
“Hi [Name] — just a brief follow-up on my message last week. I know inboxes get busy. [Company] remains one of my top targets and I’m still very interested. If the timing isn’t right, no problem at all — I appreciate the connection either way.”
Reference your earlier outreach when you apply formally
“As I mentioned when we connected last week, I’m very interested in this role.” It ties your touchpoints together, shows you’re organised, and reminds them who you are.
Section 05
Track and iterate — every week
Log every outreach — company, name, date sent, response received
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Track everything. Patterns emerge after 2-3 weeks. Which sectors respond. Which message styles work. Which companies are actively hiring.
Check your response rate at the end of the week
Less than 20% response rate means the message or targeting needs changing — not more volume. Bring your actual numbers to Wednesday’s session in the community.
Post your results in the community this Wednesday
A message that got a response is worth more than any template. Share what worked. The whole group learns when you share real data. That’s how we all get better.