Struggling to stand out in the job market? Discover how Breadchaser helped me land a $115,000 job offer with unique cover letters and networking messages. Start landing more interviews with our custom (free) software and daily 45-minute regime!
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Introduction: My Story...
At the beginning of 2023, I faced an unexpected crossroads. After spearheading the growth team at DailiesPods, an EdTech company that I helped get into 500 Startups, I chose to take several months off. Since my comp was largely commission-based & routine, I didn't have to worry about work for a bit.
But of course, nothing lasts forever & it was time to find new opportunities. I remember it was a tough job market in 2023 – just like today in 2024.
Here are some of the main challenges I faced throughout my new job journey:
- Casting a Wide Net: Sending out mass applications in bulk that resulted in few first-round interviews & a horrendous application-to-interview conversion rate
- Sniper Approach: Submitting highly-personalized job applications that yielded more interviews but took 45-60 minutes to complete just one application
- Daily Applications: I made it my personal mission to apply to 5 jobs per day with custom applications (cover letters, answers to required questions, and networking messages). I allotted about 45-60 minutes per day and felt like I could never achieve my goal within my target time frame.
- Other Solutions: After trying different tools like ChatGPT and Huntr, I noticed that other solutions were either (1) unpredictable, (2) took too long to set up each day, and/or (3) didn't solve my need for personalization without sounding like a robot.
The Turning Point: Working With the A-Team
It was too hard to trek this journey alone, so I enlisted the help and group collaboration of two good friends from USC who were also hunting for new jobs.
- Career Switcher: Alex Krut started his career in real estate/business but left to pursue software engineering. After completing a rigorous coding bootcamp, he wanted a job that would allow him to earn a high salary, while doing what he loved & improving his skills every day.
- Promotion-Focused: Alex Knoblock started his sales career in account management and leveled up quickly to account executive. After some key wins under his belt at his previous tech sales jobs, he wanted more responsibility and higher earning potential at another solid B2B tech company.
- Small Business Owner to 6-Figure Role: I (Nick Montes) started my career running a small marketing agency that focused on commission-based deals with only a few clients at a time. After some time off, I wanted to explore the technology industry, work with bigger teams, and learn how to build valuable digital products.
After numerous group sessions that started as weekly meets but quickly switched to dailies, we arrived at our biggest problem (and our biggest opportunity)...
Eureka Moment: The Main Problem (And Solution)
Getting a job is a three-part process:
- Positioning: Optimizing your resume and personal brand on LinkedIn for your target job title
- Applying: Submitting applications and reaching out to key people at your target companies
- Interviewing: Progressing through the interview process from first-round interview to job offer – with the ideal scenario of you receiving multiple job offers to use as true negoitating leverage
After analyzing our metrics, we realized that the biggest challenge & opportunity was increasing our number of first-round interviews.
In summary, we had the most to gain by improving our "Applying" stage.
To increase our number of first-round interviews, I made a basic first-edition app in Google Sheets that allowed job seekers to upload their resume & other professional information to (1) create personalized cover letters, (2) answer unique job application questions, and (3) send well-researched networking messages/connect requests on LinkedIn.
How Our First-Edition App (Minimum Viable Product) of Breadchaser Solved Key Challenges
- Automated Personalization for Casting a Wide Net: The MVP helped us elevate above the ineffective spray-and-pray approach. By integrating a systematic way to generate and tailor applications, we could focus our efforts on speed without sacrificing quality, which improved our application-to-interview conversion rate
- Template Customization for the Sniper Approach: This tool facilitated the creation of highly personalized applications at scale. By automating certain aspects of personalization, we reduced the time spent on each application from 45-60 minutes to a more manageable duration. This meant we could maintain the quality of each application without being overwhelmed by the time spent and mental capital investment
- Streamlined Routine for Daily Applications: The MVP was pivotal in achieving our goal of submitting five personalized job applications per day. It streamlined the process, allowing us to effectively use our allocated 45-60 minutes daily. This efficiency breakthrough meant our ambitious goal was no longer just a dream but a tangible, achievable reality every single day.
The best part is that this MVP/first-edition app allowed us to stop dreading the daily process of applying to jobs. Rather, it made our daily work enjoyable and our long-term goals achievable.
From MVP to Chrome extension: The Daily Routine for 6-Figure Job Seekers Low on Time & Mental Energy
Alex Krut helped me transition this app from a Google Sheets MVP to a fully-fledged solution (Chrome extension) that you can download on the Chrome Web Store. The Chrome extension version allows users to do everything that the MVP version allowed for but faster – incorporating features like autofill, user profiles, and streamlined prompts.
The main benefit of the Chrome extension version is that you can do your whole job application process without leaving LinkedIn; just rely on the Chrome extension and follow the process (example daily routine below):
- Open LinkedIn > Navigate to the Jobs tab > Find and click on a relevant job > Click the Chrome extension to open Breadchaser.
- Click the drop-down menu > Select Cover Letter > Click Generate. Then copy and paste the personalized cover letter into the job application.
- If there are custom questions: Click the drop-down menu > Select Questions/Answers > Type in the custom question > Click Generate. Then copy and paste the answer into the job application.
- After submitting an application: Find the hiring manager on LinkedIn through the company's People section > Navigate to the hiring manager's personal LinkedIn homepage > Click the drop-down menu > Select Networking Message to Hiring Manager > Click Generate > Click Connect & Add a Personalized Note. Then copy and paste the networking/connect message into the box.
- Go back to step 1 and repeat this process until you fill your daily quota (5 jobs per day).
Understanding You
You're more than a resume. You're an ambitious individual, ready to carve out your place in the job market. You're familiar with technology, you're open to new strategies, and above all, you're determined to secure a better environment conducive to your long-term goals.
But perhaps you're also overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications and the cold, impersonal nature of networking. I see you because I was you.
A Familiar Scenario & Our Mission
Imagine you're aiming for that next big career leap.
You know you have what it takes, but the traditional job search methods are holding you back. Each application feels like a shot in the dark, and each networking attempt lacks the personal touch needed to make an impression.
This is where we change the narrative.
Conclusion: Change Your Narrative
After a couple of weeks using Breadchaser, I started to book a lot of interviews. Some good, some bad – but one story stands out to me.
I booked a call with the Marketing Director of a well-funded startup in the EdTech space, and before I had a chance to speak, he opened the call with these words:
Hey Nick, before diving into this interview, I just want to say I really liked your application. Not only did you actually submit your cover letter, but you even reached out to me and I could tell it wasn't one of those generic LinkedIn messages.
- Marketing Director responsible for hiring
What I'm saying is... You're starting on the right foot.
Fast-forward 1.5 weeks, and I received an offer letter for $115,000 + bonus + benefits for a Growth Marketing Manager position at a cool company.
Position, apply, interview.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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