Figuring Out Smart Job Search Strategies as a Time-Starved Parent
Ep. 82 on the All Figured Out Podcast
Are you adding “job search?” to your never-ending to-do list?
When you're a parent, it’s especially difficult.
Between school drop-offs, nap schedules, and maybe even a demanding job or layoff stress—you’re not just tired, you’re time-starved. That’s why this conversation with Anna Colak-Fustin is so important.
Anna is a former Fortune 500 recruiter turned career coach who’s worked across the globe. She knows how the system works—and how to make it work for you. In this episode of All Figured Out, Anna and I talk about how to job search with strategy, sanity, and confidence—especially when you don’t have 8 hours a day to devote to the process.
Biggest Themes from Our Conversation
Why generic job search advice (like “update your resume and start networking”) just doesn’t cut it:
– How to job search based on your personality, energy levels, and real life
– Why job titles can be misleading—and how to search by activities instead
– How internal job opportunities are an underrated goldmine
– Why Easy Apply gives the illusion of productivity (but often wastes your time)
– What recruiters actually want to see in applications
– The importance of aligning your job search with your values, energy, and non-negotiables
Key Takeaways for Time-Strapped Job Seekers
Start with clarity—not panic.
If you're clear on your direction, you'll avoid wasting time applying for jobs you don't actually want.
Choose a strategy that matches your strengths.
Whether you're a natural networker or a behind-the-scenes researcher, your strategy should align with how you work best.
Search for tasks, not titles.
When you’re doing your research on platforms like LinkedIn, focus on the work you want to do—not just the job title you've had before. If you are only typing in titles, you’re missing out on jobs that you didn’t know existed or were qualified for.
Be mindful of your energy.
Job searching takes a toll. Choose tactics that bring you energy, not just drain it.
Make your resume and LinkedIn reflect where you’re going, not just where you’ve been.
Infuse keywords and examples of the work you want to do—even if your past job titles didn’t reflect it.
Easy Apply is not a strategy.
Hitting ‘Easy Apply’ might feel productive, but it rarely leads to meaningful results. Get intentional instead.
About the Guest
Anna Colak-Fustin is a former international recruiter turned career coach. With a background in psychology and over a decade of experience hiring for Fortune 500 companies, she now helps job seekers land dream roles through strategic, intentional job search methods.
Get your hands on The Top Candidate Toolkit x Andrea Barr here – it’s an all-in-one resource to help you job search like a pro (without hiring a coach).
🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast player!
About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out
Andrea is a certified career and life coach for parents. Through her coaching, she supports parents in finding better work-life rhythms so they can continue to grow personally and professionally without sacrificing family time.
Connect with Andrea via Instagram here.
