No BS Career Advice: May 10, 2026
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Last week, I told you a new book would be released and I would notify you when it was available on Amazon.
Unfortunately, there was a delay. I am hoping to have it out this week and will share a special edition when it is.
Human Intent, Machine Speed: The Executive Protocol for AI Networking
Let me be direct with you. Most executives are networking wrong. They’re either blasting out generic LinkedIn messages that scream “I’m desperate,” or they’re hiding behind their résumé and hoping someone notices them. Neither works. What does work is combining your human judgment with AI speed — and if you’re not doing that yet, you’re already behind.
Here’s the executive protocol for using AI in your networking. Follow it.
1. Stop Treating AI Like a Shortcut. Treat It Like a Research Department.
The first mistake people make is using AI to mass-produce outreach. Wrong move. Recruiters and senior leaders can smell a templated message from a mile away. Instead, use AI as your personal research team.
Before you reach out to anyone — a target hiring manager, a peer at a competitor, a former colleague now at a company you want — use AI to learn everything about them. Their recent posts. Their company’s earnings calls. Their LinkedIn activity. Their public interviews. Ask AI to summarize what that person cares about professionally right now. Then write the message yourself, in your own voice, using that intelligence.
That’s not a shortcut. That’s strategy.
2. Build Your Target List With Surgical Precision.
Random networking is a waste of your time. At the executive level, you have a finite number of hours and a finite amount of social capital. Spend it wisely.
Use AI to build a structured target list. Identify the companies you want to work for. Then go deeper — identify the specific people at those companies who would either hire you or refer you. AI tools can help you cross-reference industry connections, map org charts, and surface second-degree contacts you didn’t even know you had.
Eighty people on a precise, prioritized list will outperform five hundred random contacts every single time. Be deliberate about who gets your attention.
3. Personalize at Scale — But Never Lose the Human Touch.
Here’s where it gets interesting. You can use AI to draft the first version of every outreach message. Feed it the research. Tell it the tone you want. Let it generate a draft. Then rewrite it in your voice.
That last step is non-negotiable. AI writes in patterns. You have a personality, a history, and a perspective that no model can replicate. The goal is for your message to sound like you on your best day — confident, specific, and relevant to that person.
A message that references something real about the recipient — their recent promotion, a strategy shift at their company, a talk they gave — will always outperform a polished but generic note. AI finds the hook. You throw it.
4. Follow Up Like a Professional, Not a Pest.
Most executives give up too early. One message, no response, they move on. That’s leaving serious opportunity on the table.
Use AI to build a follow-up cadence. Set reminders. Draft follow-up messages at 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days. Each touch should add value — share a relevant article, reference something new that happened at their company, or offer a brief insight that shows you’ve been paying attention.
What you’re doing is staying top of mind without being annoying. There’s a difference between persistence and pestering. Persistence is intentional and value-driven. Pestering is just repetition. AI helps you stay consistent; your judgment keeps it classy.
5. Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence Before You Send a Single Message.
Nobody’s responding to your outreach if your profile doesn’t back you up. Before you launch a networking campaign, run your LinkedIn profile through an AI tool and ask it to identify gaps, weak language, and missed keyword opportunities for your target roles.
Your headline should not say “Experienced Executive Seeking New Opportunities.” That’s a red flag, not a value proposition. AI can help you reframe your headline, rewrite your summary, and strengthen your bullet points so that by the time someone clicks on your profile after receiving your message, they see someone worth a conversation.
Your profile is your first impression. Make sure it’s earning the meeting.
6. Track Everything. Iterate Fast.
Networking without data is guesswork. Build a simple tracking system — AI can help you set one up — where you log every outreach, every response, every conversation, and every follow-up. Review it weekly.
Which messages are getting responses? Which companies are opening doors? Which contacts are turning into actual conversations? When you track the data, patterns emerge. You double down on what’s working and you cut what isn’t.
This is how executives operate in every other part of their professional life. Apply the same discipline to your job search.
The bottom line is this: AI doesn’t replace the relationships. You still have to show up, be genuine, and earn trust. But AI compresses the time it takes to find the right people, craft the right message, and stay consistent. That’s the edge. Use it.
Now stop reading and start reaching out.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2026
Last week, I released a lot of new content including:
Stupid Networking Mistakes: Turning Down an Invitation
Excerpt: Networking isn’t just about what you need now; it’s about the relationships you’ve built for the future. Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter® discusses a common but critical mistake: declining invitations that could open doors you don’t even know exist yet.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-networking-mistakes-turning-down-an-invitation/
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How to Get More Interviews: Have a Video Resume
Excerpt: A video resume allows you to showcase your personality and communication skills in a way a flat document never can. Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter® explains how to leverage video to stand out to recruiters and land more interviews.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-get-more-interviews-have-a-video-resume/
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Indeed: Which Job Site Is Better. EP 3142
Excerpt: Most job hunters treat LinkedIn and Indeed as interchangeable versions of the same thing. That’s exactly why their applications go ignored. Jeff Altman explains the fundamental differences and how to use each platform to your advantage.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/indeed-which-job-site-is-better-ep-3142/
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The Third Door: Abandoning the Main Line in Your Job Search
Excerpt: Most professionals approach their careers like they are standing in line at an exclusive nightclub. Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter® explains how to find the ‘third door’ to bypass the crowded main entrance and get the results you want.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-third-door-abandoning-the-main-line-in-your-job-search/
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Why Doesn’t LinkedIn Rank Recruiters? #shorts
Excerpt: Here’s a fun question: Why does LinkedIn not rank recruiters? Jeff Altman dives into the reasons why this data isn’t publicly ranked and what it means for your job search.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-doesnt-linkedin-rank-recruiters-shorts/
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Why Was I Rejected and Then Offered the Job By My Employer?
Excerpt: It’s a bizarre scenario: you’re told ‘no,’ then suddenly offered the role. Jeff Altman explains the internal corporate shifts and budget reallocations that cause this about-face.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-was-i-rejected-and-then-offered-the-job-by-my-employer/
Personal AI SEO: Get Discovered by LLMs
Excerpt: In 2026, recruiters aren’t just searching Google; they’re asking AI. Learn how to optimize your digital footprint so Large Language Models recommend you for the right roles.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/personal-ai-seo-get-discovered-by-llms/
Even If You’re Short on Experience, Pass the “So What” Test
Excerpt: Lack of experience isn’t the dealbreaker—it’s the lack of perceived value. Jeff Altman shares how to frame your limited background to prove you can solve a company’s problems.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/even-if-youre-short-on-experience-pass-the-so-what-test/
Should I Include My LinkedIn URL on a CV or Resume?
Excerpt: Is it a waste of space or a modern necessity? Jeff Altman weighs in on when to include your social links and how to ensure your profile is ready for the click.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-include-my-linkedin-url-on-a-cv-or-resume/
A Reminder When You Negotiate Salary #shorts
Excerpt: People get caught up emotionally when they negotiate. It is important to remember that this is a business transaction. Jeff Altman reminds you to keep your cool to get the best deal.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-reminder-when-you-negotiate-salary-shorts/
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No BS Career Advice: May 3, 2026
Excerpt: A curation of the latest job search strategies, interview tips, and career advice from Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, designed to help you navigate the modern workplace.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-may-3-2026/
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A Recruiter Accepted My Connection Request & Hasn’t Responded Since
Excerpt: It’s a common frustration: you reach out, they accept, and then… silence. Jeff Altman explains the reality of recruiter workflows and how to follow up without being a nuisance.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-recruiter-accepted-my-connection-request-hasnt-responded-since/
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Age Proof Your Job Search: 10 Steps to Get Hired
Excerpt: This episode breaks down 10 immediate, practical steps to modernize your digital presence and communication style so recruiters see your value instead of your age.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/age-proof-your-job-search-10-steps-to-get-hired/
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The “Safe Job” Trap: Is Your Career Being Targeted?
Excerpt: The idea of a ‘safe job’ is a dangerous myth in today’s economy. Jeff Altman discusses why staying in a role for safety might actually be the riskiest move you can make for your long-term career.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-safe-job-trap-is-your-career-being-targeted/
10 LinkedIn Signal Killers
Excerpt: LinkedIn is a live data set that recruiters use to filter for specific types of people. This post details how high-value professionals unknowingly sabotage their search through platform “signal killers.”
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-linkedin-signal-killers/
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Knowing You Made a Hiring Mistake #shorts
Excerpt: Jim Collins, the author of “Good to Great,” offers a thought about the exact moment you believe you made a hiring mistake and how to address it.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/knowing-you-made-a-hiring-mistake-shorts/
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Did AI from the ATS Reject You?
Excerpt: The myth that an AI bot is silently tossing your resume is overstated. Jeff Altman breaks down the reality of how ATS systems actually function in the hiring process.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/did-ai-from-the-ats-reject-you/
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Crack Your Offer’s Code
Excerpt: This episode breaks down the “hidden math” and 8 structural pillars corporations use to build your job offer, helping you understand what is truly on the table.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/crack-your-offers-code/
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Are Job Interviews Done by Phone Easier or Harder? #shorts
Excerpt: Are job interviews done by phone usually easier or harder? Jeff Altman discusses the nuances of phone-based screening and how to prepare for success.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/are-job-interviews-done-by-phone-easier-or-harder-shorts/
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Everybody’s Lying
Excerpt: In the world of hiring, from resumes to interview answers, there is a pervasive culture of ‘polishing’ the truth. Jeff Altman discusses how to spot the lies and find authenticity.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/everybodys-lying/
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Asking for Directions
Excerpt: Many job seekers treat their career like a solo road trip without a map. Learning to ask for professional directions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a shortcut to your destination.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/asking-for-directions/
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A Hidden Gem to Find People to Network with on LinkedIn
Excerpt: Most people use the same tired search filters. Jeff Altman reveals a ‘hidden gem’ feature on LinkedIn that uncovers high-value networking connections most users miss.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-hidden-gem-to-find-people-to-network-with-on-linkedin/
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5 Career-Stalling Mistakes Executives Make and How to Pivot
Excerpt: Executive careers don’t just stop; they stall due to specific, avoidable habits. Learn the top five mistakes high-level leaders make and the tactical pivots required to regain momentum.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-career-stalling-mistakes-executives-make-and-how-to-pivot/
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Employment Situation Summary May 8 2026
Excerpt: A deep dive into the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Jeff Altman breaks down what the May 8, 2026, jobs report actually means for your hiring prospects and the broader economy.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/employment-situation-summary-may-8-2026/
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Career Mistakes: You Don’t Do the Work or Listen to Feedback
Excerpt: The two fastest ways to derail your career trajectory are stagnation and defensiveness. Jeff Altman explains why a lack of execution and an inability to process feedback are fatal flaws.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-mistakes-you-dont-do-the-work-or-listen-to-feedback/
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While you wait for the new book, let me remind you of two others.
The Over 50 Professional’s Guide to Job Search Success: Proven Techniques to Overcome Age Bias, and Thrive in Today’s Job Market and 10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love. Both are available as paperbacks, Kindle books and PDFs.
People hire me for No BS job search coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write resumes. I leave it to people who are experts at that. I am someone who has helped tens of thousands of people actually find work.
Become an Insider at JobSearch.Community. You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.
Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube
Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio wherever you listen to podscasts.
#BeGreat
Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC
No BS Job Search & Career Strategist | Decoding the LinkedIn Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff.
