In August 2024, Grant Moore joined Talentology’s CareerAGILITY Job Search Coaching program after facing the emotional and financial strain of limited employment, which had started in November 2023. By mid-September 2024, with focused support and strategic guidance, Grant secured a Senior Agile consulting role with UTS. His journey highlights the value of persistence, strategy, and professional brand-building in navigating a competitive job market.
A Long-Standing Relationship Built on Mutual Respect
Grant’s connection with Talentology began a few years ago through an introduction from our long-time friend and supporter, Mihail Sestakov. From our first conversation, it was clear that Grant’s deep understanding of technology delivery and his people-first approach to problem-solving were closely aligned with our own values at Talentology.
With over four decades of international experience, Grant’s career has spanned a wide array of roles across IT, from hands-on development to strategic leadership. His ability to adapt and excel in the fast-changing world of technology stood out, as did his unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality solutions that meet both technical and business goals.
Grant’s philosophy on Enterprise Agile transformation—centred on collaboration, continuous improvement, and adaptability—made him a natural fit for Talentology. His solutions always put people first, ensuring that technology enables both businesses and individuals to achieve their full potential.
The Start of the CareerAGILITY Journey
When Grant joined the CareerAGILITY program, he was grappling with the challenges of an extended, prolonged job search. The frustrations of dealing with recruiters and the uncertainty of the downturned market weighed heavily on him. During his early coaching sessions with Trevor Churchley, the focus shifted to rebuilding Grant’s confidence and giving his job search the structure and direction it needed.
A key part of this was revitalising Grant’s professional brand. Together, Grant and Trevor improved and optimised his LinkedIn profile, starting with an updated, professional photo and banner, and began crafting content to showcase his thought leadership in Agile transformation. This not only enhanced his profile’s visibility but also positioned him as a respected expert in his field, making him more attractive to potential employers.
Building Visibility Through Thought Leadership
Grant’s unique approach to Enterprise Business Agility—which focuses on creating an empowered, collaborative environment—became the core of his personal brand. One of the strategies Talentology implemented was building momentum through thought leadership. With Trevor’s guidance, Grant consistently posted engaging content on LinkedIn that sparked discussions around Agile transformation and business agility.
These posts weren’t just content; they were conversation starters. As his visibility grew, so did his professional network. By sharing his insights and expertise, Grant attracted the attention of key decision-makers and established himself as a go-to professional in Enterprise Business Agility and Agile methodologies.
Strategic Networking: Engaging Key Decision-Makers
In a data-driven coaching session, Grant and Trevor reviewed Grant’s LinkedIn connections to identify key decision-makers who could potentially hire him. This allowed Grant to prioritise and focus his efforts on engaging people who were in a position to offer him the right opportunities.
By initiating meaningful conversations with these high-value contacts, Grant significantly improved his visibility. His active engagement with decision-makers, combined with his regular thought leadership posts, helped him stand out in the market, even during tough times.
Effective Recruiter Collaboration: Persistence Pays Off
Grant’s success also came from working closely with recruiters. Instead of simply submitting applications and waiting, he built strong relationships with recruiters, ensuring that he followed up on every lead. Through consistent, proactive communication, Grant was able to stay on recruiters’ radar, positioning himself as a serious and committed candidate.
This persistence paid off. His regular follow-ups and professional interactions ensured that he was top of mind for recruiters, increasing his chances of being considered for key roles.
Automating Outreach: Scaling Up with a Personal Touch
To maximise his job search efforts, Talentology introduced Grant to LinkedIn direct messaging outreach while maintaining a personal touch. This allowed Grant to scale his efforts, reaching out to a broader network while still crafting personalised messages that engaged his connections.
By automating routine follow-ups, Grant freed up time to focus on more strategic relationships with decision-makers, ensuring that he was actively engaged in the market without being overwhelmed by manual tasks.
Securing the UTS Role: Persistence and Patience
Despite some internal budget challenges at UTS, Grant’s persistence and strategic communication paid off. Internal delays initially slowed the hiring process, but Grant maintained regular contact with the hiring manager, ensuring he remained a top candidate for the role. His patience and ability to navigate the internal processes at UTS eventually led to him securing a Senior Agile consulting role.
Grant’s journey to securing this role demonstrates how strategic persistence—combined with a strong personal brand and effective networking—can help job seekers overcome even the most complex obstacles in today’s competitive job market.
Key Takeaways from Grant’s Success Story
Focused Job Search Strategy: A clear and structured approach, targeting specific career goals, enabled Grant to focus his efforts where they mattered most.
Professional Brand Building: Strengthening his online presence through thought leadership and engaging content positioned Grant as an expert in Agile transformation.
Effective Networking: Strategic engagement with key decision-makers helped Grant build meaningful relationships and increased his visibility in the market.
Collaborating with Recruiters: Consistent follow-ups and open communication kept Grant top-of-mind for recruiters, ensuring he was considered for the right opportunities.
Persistence and Patience: Grant’s ongoing engagement and persistence in following up, even when hiring processes stalled, ultimately led to success.
At Talentology, we’re proud to support IT professionals like Grant Moore through our CareerAGILITY program. His story is a testament to the power of persistence, strategic branding, and the right support in navigating the modern job market.
Comentarios