Rise & Shine: Stop job seeking. Start problem solving.

Happy Monday!

I'm going to get honest with you today, most job seekers are doing this wrong!

Here's a shift that changes everything in your job search:

Stop positioning yourself as a job seeker. Start positioning yourself as a problem solver.

The professionals getting hired aren't the ones with the longest resumes or the most credentials.

They're the ones who can clearly connect their experience to the specific problems a company needs solved.

Let me show you exactly what I mean.

How Companies Actually Think About Hiring

When a company posts a job, they're not looking for a title or a list of skills.

They're looking for someone who can solve a problem that's keeping them up at night.

That problem might be:

• → Scaling operations without breaking systems

• → Managing increasing workload with the same team size

• → Fixing broken processes that slow everything down

• → Improving team collaboration across departments

• → Reducing turnover or improving employee engagement

• → Launching a new product or entering a new market

Your job isn't to prove you're qualified.

Your job is to show them you understand their problem and you've solved it before.

Real Job Posting Examples (And How to Reframe Your Experience)

Let me walk you through three actual scenarios:

Example 1: Operations Manager Role

What the job posting says: "We're looking for an Operations Manager to streamline processes, manage cross-functional teams, and support our rapid growth."

What they're actually saying: "We're scaling fast and our current processes can't keep up. We need someone who can build systems that work at scale without slowing us down."

How to position yourself:

Instead of: "I have 8 years of operations experience managing teams and improving efficiency."

Try: "I've built scalable operations systems for fast-growing teams. At my last company, we doubled headcount in 18 months while reducing process bottlenecks by 40%. I know exactly what breaks when you scale — and how to prevent it."

See the difference? You're not listing experience. You're solving their scaling problem.

Example 2: Marketing Manager Role

What the job posting says: "Seeking a Marketing Manager to oversee campaigns, manage budgets, and drive customer acquisition."

What they're actually saying: "Our marketing efforts aren't converting like they used to. We need someone who can get us in front of the right customers and make our budget work harder."

How to position yourself:

Instead of: "I have experience managing marketing campaigns across multiple channels."

Try: "I specialize in turning underperforming campaigns into revenue drivers. At my last company, I restructured our channel strategy and increased customer acquisition by 35% while reducing cost-per-lead by 22%. I know how to make marketing budgets work smarter."

Again — you're not describing your job. You're showing them you understand their problem.

Example 3: Project Manager Role

What the job posting says: "Looking for a Project Manager to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines, and ensure successful project delivery."

What they're actually saying: "Our projects keep running over budget and missing deadlines. We need someone who can get multiple teams aligned and keep things on track."

How to position yourself:

Instead of: "I'm an experienced Project Manager skilled in Agile methodologies and stakeholder management."

Try: "I've managed complex, cross-functional projects where timelines and budgets were non-negotiable. At my last company, I brought a 6-month delayed project back on track and delivered it 2 weeks early. I know how to align stakeholders, remove roadblocks, and keep teams moving forward."

You're not listing skills. You're solving their coordination problem.

The Pattern You Need to See

In every example, the shift is the same:

From: "Here's what I've done"

To: "Here's the problem you have, and here's proof I've solved it before"

Most candidates list their experience and hope the hiring manager connects the dots.

But hiring managers are busy. They're scanning hundreds of applications. They don't have time to translate your resume into solutions.

If you can clearly articulate:

• The problem they're facing

• How you've solved that exact problem before

• The measurable impact you created

You immediately stand out.

Because you're not asking for a job. You're offering a solution.

Common Problems Companies Are Hiring to Solve

Here's a quick reference list of problems companies commonly need solved:

Scaling Issues:

• Systems that worked for 50 people don't work for 150

• Processes breaking under growth pressure

• Need to scale without adding proportional headcount

Workload Issues:

• Team is drowning and morale is dropping

• Too many priorities, not enough focus

• Burnout risk across key team members

Process Issues:

• Things take too long to get done

• Too many handoffs and approval layers

• Lack of documentation or standard operating procedures

Collaboration Issues:

• Silos between departments

• Misalignment on priorities

• Communication breakdowns causing delays

Revenue/Growth Issues:

• Customer acquisition is too expensive

• Retention is dropping

• Market share is shrinking to competitors

Quality/Delivery Issues:

• Projects consistently miss deadlines

• Product quality isn't meeting expectations

• Customer complaints are increasing

When you're researching a company or preparing for an interview, ask yourself:

"Based on what I know about this company, which of these problems are they likely facing right now?"

Then position your experience as the solution to that specific problem.

How to Apply This in Your Job Search

1. Research the company before you apply: Look at their recent news, LinkedIn posts, job descriptions. What challenges are they talking about? What language are they using?

2. Reframe your resume and cover letter: Lead with the problem you solve, not the title you held. Use their language to show you understand their challenge.

3. Prepare for interviews with problem-solving stories: Have 3-5 stories ready that demonstrate how you've solved problems similar to what they're facing. Include specific metrics and outcomes.

4. Ask problem-focused questions: In interviews, ask: "What's the biggest challenge this role will tackle in the first 90 days?" Then share how you've tackled similar challenges.

You're Not a Job Seeker — You're a Problem Solver

One of my clients shifted her entire approach after we worked on this.

Instead of leading with "I'm looking for a Senior Analyst role," she started leading with:

"I help companies turn data chaos into actionable insights that drive decision-making."

Within three weeks, she had two offers.

Not because she suddenly became more qualified. Because she started speaking the language of problems and solutions.

Hiring managers don't want to hire job seekers.

They want to hire problem solvers who can walk in and make an immediate impact.

Show them you're that person and everything changes.

If you're ready to stop guessing and start positioning yourself as the solution companies need, let's talk.

👉 Book a free 30-minute discovery call and let's get you clear on how to position your experience powerfully.

Or if you're not ready for coaching yet, download my free Clarity Workbook to start identifying what problems you solve best.

You're not underqualified. You're just speaking the wrong language.

Let's fix that.

Cheering you on,

💛 Alyssa

P.S. — The next time you read a job posting, don't just look at the requirements. Ask yourself: "What problem is this company trying to solve?" Then position yourself as the answer.

Thanks for reading Rise & Shine by Rise Up Career Coaching.

This newsletter is for high-performing professionals who feel stuck, overlooked, or unsure of their next move — and want a clearer, smarter way to navigate the modern job market.

Here, I share real talk about:

• Getting clear on what you actually want next

• Navigating job searches without mass applying

• Networking in ways that actually lead to conversations

• Interviewing with confidence (even if you’re rusty)

• Negotiating offers without leaving money or opportunity on the table

The job market has changed, but most career advice hasn’t. I’m here to help you stop guessing and start moving forward with clarity and strategy.

I'm here to change that.

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ALYSSA BAILEY is a Certified Professional Career Coach who helps high-performing professionals get unstuck and land roles that match who they are now. With 15+ years of corporate experience, she’s guided clients through career transitions, interviews, and negotiations — helping them turn experience into opportunity.

If you’re done waiting for clarity or the “right time,” this is your sign.

Your next role won’t come from working harder. It comes from having the right strategy.

Let’s make your next move — intentionally.

P.S. If you’ve been thinking about making a change “someday,” remember: clarity doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from action.

Let's make your next move. Contact me today.

To read past Rise & Shine newsletters, you can find them here.