Most job seekers fish the wrong way.

They either:

→ cast a wide net (apply to 50 jobs blindly), or

→ toss out a single line and wait, hoping something bites.

And then… nothing.

Here’s the truth:

Job hunting isn’t about luck. It’s about aim.

You’re not line fishing. You’re not casting a net.

You’re spear fishing.

You spot the fish. You study the movement. You aim with precision.

Then you strike—calm, clean, and clear.

That’s why I built the SPEAR Framework for outreach messages.

It works—because it cuts through the noise.

Here’s what SPEAR stands for:

→ S – Specific: Why are you reaching out to this person?

→ P – Personalised: What’s relevant about them or their path?

→ E – Enlightening: What insight or observation are you bringing to the conversation?

→ A – Ask: What’s the small, specific thing you want from them?

→ R – Reason to reply: Why should they respond now?

This isn’t about asking for a job.

It’s about starting a real conversation—with intention.

Here are a few rewritten examples my clients use:

Hi Keisha — noticed you moved from healthcare tech into climate-focused products. I’ve been mapping similar mission-led companies. Curious—when you made that shift, did you lean more on strategic storytelling or portfolio results? Would love to connect if you're open to sharing your take.

Hey Marcus, your move from a seed-stage startup to Spotify caught my eye—especially your work in creator tools. I’m navigating a similar leap and curious what mindset shift helped you most as you adapted to a bigger product org. Would love to connect.

Hi Elaine, your work at Notably stood out—especially how you blend research and product strategy. I’m exploring hybrid roles and wondering what helped you stand out when your work didn’t fit into one neat box. Open to connect?

These messages aren’t clever. They’re clear.

And that’s the goal.

You don’t need a fancy intro.

You just need to sound like someone who’s done their homework.

And here’s the best part: when you send a message that’s SPEAR-sharp, you’re not just starting a conversation.

→ You’re positioning yourself.

→ You’re building trust.

→ You’re creating opportunities that no job board can give you.

Most people wait.

You don’t need to.

What’s one person you’ve been meaning to reach out to—but haven’t?

Take 10 minutes.

Write with SPEAR.

Send it today.

Joseph