Stop Hoping. Land the Interview: A Recruiter’s Playbook

Hey Queen! Fresh off our live Undeniable Session with recruiter Diane Steele (Steele Recruiting), I pulled the most actionable, hire-me-now insights for everyone - and especially useful for those eyeing Executive Assistant (EA) or Chief of Staff (CoS) roles. Want a recruiters additional insights on certifications, definitions and more? Watch the replay!

🔥 Diane’s Sizzling Job Search Strategy: The Résumé + Cover Letter Power Pair (written by you)

Want to stand out in a crowded pool? Diane’s first filter is a clean, scannable résumé and a well-written, tailored cover letter. They’re your career marketing pieces. If the ATS doesn’t give you a separate upload slot, combine them into a single PDF and submit together. And while AI is great for spellchecks, many execs want to see your written voice; some even screen for AI-generated letters. Translation: draft it yourself.

Try This:

• Add a 3-bullet “Why I’m a Fit for This Role” box at the top of your letter—fast proof you did your homework.

• Proofread like an EA owns the agenda: zero typos, tight formatting, bullets that say outcomes, not duties.

🔢 Data-Diva Tip: Turn Features into Benefits

Borrow a classic sales move: feature → benefit. Worked at a massive enterprise and want to jump into a smaller org? Don’t apologize. Translate. Feature: “Scaled board operations across 5 divisions.” Benefit: “I’ll bring tested systems to tighten your exec cadence and speed decision-making.” Lead with how your experience makes them faster, clearer, calmer. That’s how you win the room.

Try This:

• Write 5 “Because I did X, you get Y” lines. Use them in outreach, your summary, and interviews.

📈 Market Watch: What Diane’s Seeing Right Now

• Hiring cycles are longer, more thorough, and assessment-heavy. It’s not you—processes really have slowed. Stay in the game and follow up (reasonably).

• Be thoughtful about leaving before year-end. Budgets, macro noise, and timing matter—make moves with a plan, not impulse.

• CoS roles exist at the very small and the very large. Mid-market is spottier; consider EA roles with strategic scope as a bridge.

☎️ Recruiter Real Talk: How to Ping (and Not Pester)

Yes, reach out. Diane’s team sources from their database; if you see a new role, send your résumé again with a short note (location + fit). Don’t message weekly, but do follow up when it makes sense. Want early alerts? Join their list. Above all: be human, be current, be kind.

🧯 Myth-Buster: “Is Age Why I’m Not Getting Hired?”

Diane’s take: age isn’t the variable. Energy and currency are. Keep your LinkedIn photo current, show positivity, and demonstrate modern tools/process. If a company fixates on age, that’s not your company. Keep moving.

✍️ Scripts You Can Steal

Warm DM to a hiring leader: “Hi [Name]—I’m an EA who’s led ELT calendars across 4 time zones and built an exec comms rhythm that cut decision lag by 30%. Two ways I can help your CEO immediately: (1) rebuild the priority board and (2) streamline investor touchpoints. If useful, I’ll send a one-pager. –[You]”

“Overqualified” cover-letter line:“At this stage, I’m intentionally choosing the #2 seat. I love enabling bold decisions, and I thrive where operational calm meets strategic urgency.”

📆 Upcoming Event: Undeniable Session with Carol Cox of Speaking your Brand

Your Story, Your Superpower: Building a Personal Brand that Opens Doors

Thursday, October 2
11am CT on Zoom

If you struggle to talk about yourself without cringing or you’re ready to sharpen your voice for bigger stages, this Undeniable Session is for you. Join us for a fast 45 minutes with Carol Cox, founder & CEO of Speaking Your Brand®, host of a 400+ episode podcast, and creator of ChatSYB, an AI platform for coaches and consultants.

What you’ll get

• A clear definition of brand (and why yours is the key to landing roles, clients, and stages).

• Pattern-recognition from hundreds of women Carol has coached: what’s actually working now.

• Practical tools to uncover the “gold” in your story without oversharing, or underselling.

Perfect for: job seekers, founders, consultants, and leaders who want to sound confident, compelling, and unmistakably you in interviews, pitches, panels, and posts.

Bring your questions. Our events always feature confidential, anonymous live Q&A. You’ll leave with new ideas you can use the same day. Save your spot. Come ready to rewrite the way you introduce yourself—so doors open faster.

👋 Before you Go …

Ready to move, but don’t know where to start? 📞 Book a call. Let’s build the roadmap that takes you out of “stuck” and into hell yes.

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