Job Seekers: Don’t Do This

This post started with a trip to Warsaw and ended with a LinkedIn message that made me stop and think. If you’re looking for a job, this might change how you approach your next outreach.

Sometimes, it’s not about what you’re doing, but how you’re doing it.

View from a plane window with the wing cutting through soft clouds during a daytime flight

Perspective from Warsaw

I’ve just come back from a few days in Warsaw with a close friend. It was a much-needed break after an intense couple of months at work. But this post isn’t about work. It’s about you.

While exploring the city, I was genuinely impressed. Warsaw is one of the cleanest cities I’ve seen. The public transport, even with only two metro lines, is reliable and well run. The food is great too. Just don’t ask me if I want pierogi anytime soon. I’ve had enough to last a lifetime after eating them every day for three days.

What stood out the most was the people. Polite, welcoming, and easy to connect with. It reminded me a lot of Denmark. There’s a real sense of respect and courtesy in everyday interactions, and that leaves an impression.

I’m also a bit of a history buff, which is one of the reasons I wanted to visit. And Warsaw carries that history in a way that’s hard to ignore.

During World War II, Warsaw was almost completely destroyed. By the end of the war, around 85–90% of the city lay in ruins.

In 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising took place. With limited weapons and no real chance of victory, Jewish fighters resisted Nazi forces for nearly a month.

A year later, in 1944, the Warsaw Uprising began. The Polish resistance fought for 63 days, trying to liberate the city before Soviet forces arrived. When the uprising was crushed, the city was systematically destroyed, building by building.

Two Polish soldiers on the front line holding a Polish flag during World War II

Around 6 million Polish citizens died during the war, including about 3 million Polish Jews.

And yet, the city was rebuilt. The Old Town, which looks centuries old, was reconstructed using paintings, photographs, and memory.

This is not just a city that survived. It’s a city that chose to rebuild.

That stayed with me.

On the flight back, I found myself thinking about what to write next. As I was boarding, I got a LinkedIn message from someone I had recently added. We didn’t know each other, but we had a mutual connection. The message went something like this:

“Hello Amer, nice to connect. Please find my resume and summary of my qualifications. I am looking for a job in your company. Let me know if you have any openings.”

I’m sure most of you have received something similar.

Let me be clear.

I am always open to helping job seekers.

I’m happy to give advice or guidance. I don’t charge for this, and I don’t intend to. This is about building a community.

But the approach matters.

If you’re a job seeker, avoid sending generic messages with your CV attached.

Most of the time, it will be ignored. It comes across as spam, even if that’s not your intention.

A better approach looks like this:

1. Get introduced if you can If you have a mutual connection, use it. An introduction instantly builds credibility.

2. Start simple Send a short message. Say hello. Thank them for connecting. Keep it human. Don’t attach your CV yet.

3. Build a connection Share your story, not your résumé. Help them understand who you are and what you’re aiming for.

4. Ask for advice, not a job Be clear about your goals and where you need guidance. People are far more willing to help than to hire a stranger.

5. Take it offline (at the right time) If there’s a good back-and-forth, suggest a coffee or a short virtual chat. Only do this once there’s some rapport.

From my experience, LinkedIn can feel like a black hole. You can apply to hundreds of jobs and hear nothing back.

The response rate is often 1–2%.

It’s frustrating, but it’s also the reality. A lot of applications are filtered by AI before a human even sees them.

That’s why networking matters.

Every job I’ve had came through people, not applications.

If you don’t have a strong network yet, start building one. Go to events. Join communities. It could be expat groups, sports clubs, public speaking groups, anything that gets you interacting with people.

It takes time. You need to show up, have conversations, and stay engaged.

One strategy I’ve seen work well is posting a short video on LinkedIn. Talk about your background, what you’re looking for, and what you bring. It feels more personal and helps people connect with you faster.

Something I didn’t do well early in my career was maintaining my network outside of work.

Don’t only reach out when you need something.

Stay in touch regularly. A quick message, a call, or even a simple check-in goes a long way.

Out of sight really does mean out of mind.

To anyone currently looking for a job, I understand how tough it can be. This isn’t meant to criticize. It’s meant to help you adjust your approach.

This phase won’t last forever. You will find something.

It takes time, persistence, and the right connections.

Stay active. Keep meeting people. Take care of yourself. And don’t lose confidence.