Productivity · Framework
Phyl Terry Job Search Framework
A structured career search framework covering positioning, networking, OKRs, and negotiation.
This framework outlines a targeted strategy for finding senior or mid-career roles using a focused candidate-market fit statement rather than broad outreach. It guides candidates through discovery conversations, presenting custom OKRs to hiring managers, and negotiating terms by tying compensation to role success.
The framework
Phyl Terry on how to land your dream job
Candidate market fit
- When you're looking for a job, you need a spear and not a net
- Key criteria: Role/level; Industry; Company stage; Culture/environment requirements
- Create focused, narrow statement: I'm looking for a director of product role in a healthcare, series B startup in San Francisco
The listening tour
- Three types of conversations: reverse exit interviews with former colleagues; broaden network with golden question (if you were in my shoes, how would you approach this?); talk to recruiters for market feedback
- Send monthly updates to network: I don't have any news, but I just want to let you know I'm still going and I appreciate everything you've done
- Use feedback to refine candidate market fit criteria and expand your network
Job mission with OKRs
- Create your own version of the job description with specific objectives and key results
- Present it to the hiring manager: I've thought about what the role is. I want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly.
- Use this as foundation for discussions on what success looks like and negotiations
Negotiation
- Focus on success requirements before discussing compensation
- Example: this is great. I want to talk about money, but before we do, I want to think about some of the things that will set me up to succeed in this role
- 87% success rate when asking for more money using this strategy
- How to ask: are you open to [desired amount]? That was really what I was hoping for.
- Make sure to talk about training, resources, and budgets needed for success
Mindset shifts
- Everyone feels anxious and insecure in the job search
- Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of confidence
- Average job search takes 3-6 months
- The more senior you are, the longer it takes
- Focus on what the market needs rather than taking it personally
What it's for
- Define a narrow candidate-market fit statement to target specific roles and companies
- Run informational listening tours with former colleagues and recruiters
- Draft custom OKRs to align on role expectations during the interview process
- Negotiate compensation and resources by focusing on role success factors first
Key points
- Candidate-market fit formula specifying role, industry, company stage, and culture
- Listening tour approach using reverse exit interviews and monthly network check-ins
- Job mission framework that translates role expectations into explicit OKRs
- Negotiation script anchoring salary and budget talks on what is needed to succeed
- Mindset guidance addressing search timelines and reframing outreach as confidence
Pricing
Free
Details
- Type
- Framework
- Category
- Productivity
- Topic
- Career Advice
- Open source
- No
- Platforms
- other
- For
- Job seekers, especially mid-to-senior professionals navigating career transitions.
- Tags
- job search, career, interviewing, negotiation, networking
Why it was saved
- @benln: Actionable, complete playbook for a job search with concrete scripts and tactics
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Updated