Finding your fit: Defining your niche to help

How to Empower Your Job Search: Focusing on Your Most Marketable Skills

In a challenging job market, standing out can feel harder than ever. That’s exactly what our latest Oakleaf Refresh session set out to address. Hosted by Stefan Schneider and the Max Horton, this episode explored how professionals can take control of their job search by narrowing their focus and highlighting their most marketable skill sets.

Too often, candidates take a broad approach, casting the widest possible net in hopes of landing more opportunities. But as Stefan discussed, this can dilute your message and make it harder for hiring managers to see where you truly excel. Instead, refining your focus and presenting a clear, confident professional story can be far more powerful.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the session:

Define your niche – Reflect on what you do best and where you’ve added the most value. Hiring leaders are drawn to clarity and confidence, not generality.
Tailor your messaging – Whether on LinkedIn, your CV, or in interviews, ensure your communication reinforces your expertise in a specific area.
Highlight results, not responsibilities – Employers want to understand your impact. Back up your skills with measurable outcomes or success stories.
Stay visible and consistent – Building your professional brand is a continuous process. Regular, authentic engagement can help you stay top of mind in your field.

The Oakleaf Refresh webinar series is designed to support our HR community with practical, career-focused insights like these. Each session tackles real challenges faced by HR professionals, from navigating change and leadership transitions to sharpening your job search strategy.

Join the conversation, grow your network, and refresh your perspective with Oakleaf.