How to Build Your Luck (and Find Your Next Big Opportunity), Even in a Tough Market
Most people share tactics. I’m giving you the real strategy and what actually works right now.
Welcome to this week’s edition of Reframed by Ashley R. I write for high achieving professionals who rarely get the space to think through what they want next or how to lead in a way that actually works for them.
I'm Ashley Rudolph—a former tech executive turned coach for leaders and next-gen execs in the creative, tech, and lifestyle industries.
EXCITING! TWO QUICK SHARES
Before we get started this week, I wanted to share two things:
My newsletter is GROWING. If you’re new here - welcome! My newsletters are packed with insights based on my experience as an exec coach and as a professional (I was a VP in a past life).
I was featured in Platonic Love last week. It’s a more personal interview where I shared a few things I typically don’t share on here, like what movies I’m excited about and what I recently purchased and loved!
MY FEATURE IN PLATONIC LOVE →
THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: THE BACKGROUND ON WHY FINDING A JOB IS HARD
Alright, so let’s get into it.
At this point, you’ve either heard the headlines about how terrible the job market is or felt the impact firsthand. It’s a tough time to be searching.
I even shared my thoughts with Teen Vogue (!!) last week on why getting a job feels impossible these days.
After reading the piece and reflecting on so many client conversations, I realized that I wanted to share what drives the way I support my clients in finding (or claiming) their next opportunities.
Finding a new role is a mix of luck, timing, and preparation. A key part of the game is about increasing your surface area of luck.
Many people have written about the surface area of luck before me, I enjoyed this piece in Model Thinkers. Put simply: Luck = (Passionate) Doing x (Effective) Telling.
Luck isn’t magic.
In today’s market, the people who are winning are oftentimes just increasing their luck surface area and taking discreet actions that prepare them for the moment the right opportunity pops up.
I've experienced it.
I've helped clients and colleagues do it many times over the past 10 years.
You can absolutely do it too.
THE SCENE: SOME IMPORTANT CONTEXT
The Real State of the Job Market
Before we get into the luck factor, I think it’s helpful to discuss some of the macro trends impacting employees and job seekers currently:
Hiring managers and recruiters are slammed. Smaller teams. Hundreds (if not thousands) of applications per role.
Given the above, sometimes because of pure bandwidth constraints, the easiest response from a recruiter or hiring manager is no response. (I know. It sucks.)
More experienced candidates are now applying to all types of jobs, even entry-level ones, making it harder to compete at all levels.
Many people are staying in roles they dislike simply because they’re scared to search, leading to fewer open roles overall.
Today’s market doesn’t just reward hard work. It rewards visibility. Which is why increasing your luck surface area works.
THIS WEEK’S MUSING — SCREENSHOT THIS →
REALITY CHECK: WHY STRATEGY IS THE QUEEN
Tactics vs. Strategies: Why Most Job Search Advice Falls Flat
Even though things are hard, the following statements are true:
There are people getting jobs right now.
There are consultants, contractors, and fractional leaders landing projects.
And on occasion, when they’re kind enough to share how they did it, they often underscore their successes with a list of tactics — aka the "things" they did that worked for them.
They may say things like:
“Just DM the hiring manager and say this one thing!”
“Use this resume template and get 5 interviews!”
But here’s what’s missing:
Because tactics are situational, they worked for them in that specific context.
The underlying strategies are probably transferable, but it’s really hard to codify “the why” when you’re in it. Strategies are built on understanding why something works and they’re helpful because you can adapt them.
Without understanding the why, you may end up copying moves that don’t fit your strengths or don’t feel authentic.
And maybe this sounds familiar...
Have you ever attempted to give a job seeker advice (with the best intentions) and it just didn’t land? Or as a job seeker, have you ever received advice that just wasn’t helpful; it was just discouraging? I get it. The random advice tossed at job seekers ("Have you tried this!") can feel like a slap in the face without understanding strategies.
And ironically, many of the tools designed to help making job searching more efficient for seekers are making everyone look exactly the same:
Same cover letter templates.
Same resume buzzwords.
Same LinkedIn outreach scripts.
The result → a sea of sameness.
On the flip side, if I think about specific tactics I’ve seen, they amplify your efforts authentically:
Personalized outreach (when done thoughtfully) helps you stand out when others are using generic templates.
The videos of people mailing thank-you notes to hiring managers go viral and sometimes end in them landing gigs (when it’s sincere), because that tactic helped them stand out in the crowd.
Warm intros from people who are positioned to advocate for you and your work are powerful because they help you stand out.
Reverse recruiters cold calling execs to pitch an outstanding candidate
✅ The goal is not to find one golden tactic.
✅ The goal is to build multiple chances for visibility, connection, and opportunity.
This is why when I coach clients, we don’t just chase tactics. We build smart, layered strategies that increase their opportunities for success.
Thinking about your next move?
If you’re reading this and realizing you need a real strategy for your next chapter — that’s exactly the work I do.
I coach high-achieving leaders and next-gen execs through career transitions and growth in fast-moving industries.
If you’re ready for a smarter way forward, I’d love to hear from you.
HOW TO WIN: HOW TO STAND OUT IN THIS MARKET
What Smart Strategy Looks Like
Here’s what’s working right now — all pulled from real client wins and real conversations:
1. Upgrading your resume, LinkedIn, and cover letter to match the level you're targeting — not the one you're at.
Why is this important? One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is not tailoring their resumes/LinkedIn to (1) the type of jobs they’re applying for (2) the level they’re aiming for. Most people make tiny tweaks but the core of it still reflects someone at their previous level.
What it looks like in practice: I've worked with multiple clients making the Director → VP leap without internal contacts, simply by reframing how they positioned leadership, business ownership, and strategic impact in their materials. No buzzword dumping. No gimmicks. Just clear next-level storytelling.
How to increase your luck surface area: Take a close look at your resume and LinkedIn and ask yourself, does it read like the levels I’m applying for? Ask a friend or even ask ChatGPT for feedback. Here’s a ChatGPT prompt idea for you: “you’re an executive hiring for a [Director, VP] level candidate for the role below. Review my resume (attached) and tell me whether or not it reflects a candidate at the [Director, VP] level. If it doesn’t share your detailed recommendations for improving it and what changes you would make.” Copy and paste the job description right below this prompt and attach your resume before pressing enter and voila!
When there’s a high volume of applicants, hiring managers don’t have time (or incentive) to connect the dots for you. If your resume reads like a manager, but you’re applying for Director roles, you won’t get callbacks. Increase your luck by marketing yourself as someone perfect for the job you’re applying to.
2. Defining a targeted search strategy vs. just “applying everywhere”.
Why is this important? Being strategic is about applying intentionally where you have the highest alignment with a role/company. It’s no longer about applying to as many jobs as possible.
What it looks like in practice: A friend of mine made a quiet but game-changing move: he applied only to local onsite and hybrid roles — no remote-only roles. And almost immediately, he saw results and landed a job at a top tech company.
Why? Because while everyone else was flooding remote opportunities, he strategically positioned himself where there was less competition and more opportunity to stand out.
Sure, he would have preferred remote work. But a few years in a hybrid role, gaining leadership exposure and momentum, was worth infinitely more for his long-term career goals than staying stuck waiting for the perfect remote job.
That's strategy, not sacrifice.
How to increase your luck surface area: Be strategic about the titles, industries, companies, and even locations you’re applying for. Tell people you’re searching. Connect with people in the industries or at the companies you want to work for. Follow up with hiring managers/recruiters - stating genuine interest. Amplifying your efforts is strategic.
3. Acing interviews by understanding the why behind questions — not just memorizing “good” answers.
Why is this important? Scripts will only take you so far. Most hiring managers are not trying to trip you up. They're trying to understand:
Your self-awareness
Your problem-solving approach
How you think under pressure
Whether you are the right fit for their opportunity (ie. not a risky hire. The wrong hire is expensive and a bad experience for the employee and the company)
It’s not just about you and what you’re looking for, make the experience about them too.
What this looks like in practice: Take the classic "What’s your biggest weakness?" question. They’re not looking for your deepest flaw. They’re asking:
Can you reflect honestly?
Can you recognize and solve your own gaps?
Are you coachable and growth-minded?
For example, here’s a bad answer:
"I'm bad at public speaking. It really makes me nervous."
And, here’s a better answer:
"Early in my career, public speaking was a challenge. I invested in coaching, practiced presenting to small groups, and today I lead company-wide meetings with confidence. It's become one of my strengths."
See the difference? Self-awareness + initiative + results = the energy they want to hire.
How to increase your luck surface area: Practice, practice, practice. Practice your responses to interview questions out loud, with someone you trust, get feedback. Stay ready, so that when the time comes, you don’t have to get ready.
4. Negotiating based on values and priorities — not fear.
Why is this important? Negotiation isn’t just about chasing the biggest salary. It’s about knowing what you truly value (ie. compensation, growth, balance, leadership opportunities) and advocating for those things with confidence.
What this looks like in practice: One of my clients recently received a job offer with a $50K+ salary increase but also negotiated extra PTO on top of the offer.
We talked early (before the offer stage!) about what mattered most: time, balance, and place where she could grow.
So when the offer came in, she wasn’t scrambling to figure it out — she was ready to advocate confidently and clearly.
How to increase your luck surface area: Start mapping your non-negotiables early. When you know what matters most (compensation, PTO, professional development), you can confidently navigate the offer stage, instead of scrambling when the stakes are high.
THE WRAP UP
My Final Thoughts
If you’re in the thick of it — here's what I want you to know:
The market is hard and there’s no denying this fact.
You’re not doing “the wrong things”. In fact, you’re probably doing all the right things. What you may need, is a different strategy that amplifies your efforts the right way.
Luck isn't random. Success in this market isn’t about chasing hacks. It’s about expanding your luck surface area — smartly, strategically, and authentically. And when your surface area expands? Eventually you’ll see that…
Momentum builds.
You’ll be more visible.
Opportunities find you.
Small smart bets placed consistently, win over one big lucky break.
You’re closer than you think.
Good luck! See you next week.
Ashley
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As usual, another timely newsletter with actionable strategies. Thank you, Ashley!
Thanks for this post Ashley - I'm graduating with my MBA next month and am happy that what I'm doing is in line with your insights🤞 A big congrats on the Teen Vogue feature!