The Best Way to Find a Job Today Is to Stop Looking for One
It sounds like a strange, maybe even annoying paradox. But after eight years of talking with hundreds of Israelis trying to break into the local market (and many hundreds who are not Israeli), I can say it with confidence: the operating system we are all used to has completely crashed.
I see the pressure in the feed and in private conversations. The search routine has become automatic and draining:
You refresh LinkedIn, find a job description that looks relevant, tweak the CV a little, hit send, and wait. And repeat.
In practice? It has turned into a casino, or worse: this is an employers’ market. The boards are flooded with hundreds of applications within minutes, the screening systems (ATS) are more aggressive than ever, and it feels like we are throwing bottles into the open sea, at best.
To beat these bitter odds, it is time to update the operating system. And the philosophy I am proposing is very simple:
Stop looking for jobs. Hunt companies.
Put real weight on market research, on understanding your true strengths, where you would fit, what your personal goals are, and where you would actually be happiest.
And why is this critical?
Managing your cognitive resources. A job search is a project that devours endless energy. When we fire in every direction and react to random postings, we burn our most precious resource. To be effective, you have to be deliberate and economical with your attention. At the end of the day, every effort comes at the expense of another.
The age of the specialist (SME). Today’s market is not looking for generalists, or just a Software Engineer. It is looking for subject-matter experts who can solve specific problems in a very specific context. An open role is often an arbitrary definition written by an HR department, and the odds it fits you like a glove are low. A company, on the other hand, is a living body with challenges you can spot and solve.
The Israeli advantage in the Netherlands. We have a huge cultural asset here: the directness, the drive, and the ability to take Ownership quickly and effectively. When your approach is proactive, reaching out directly to a company you have researched, rather than passive, responding to a job ad, you demonstrate those qualities before the first interview.
No compromise on fulfilment. Even in uncertain times, the temptation to take anything that pays the bills is a trap. Employers smell a lack of passion from miles away. And if they do not, it is even worse, because you end up somewhere that does not excite you. Precisely now, focusing on a company you genuinely believe in and want is what makes you stand out above the noise.
A small disclaimer: I am not saying you should ignore open roles entirely. If you see an opportunity that looks tailor-made for you, go for it. Just do not make it your only strategy.
So how do you start? Instead of spraying CVs, identify 5 to 10 companies whose DNA genuinely fits you. Understand their challenges and how your expertise meets their need. When you approach the right company with the right value, headcount has a way of opening out of nowhere. You would be surprised how often that happens.
To help you take the first step, I distilled my research method into a “Deep Research Gem”, an AI-guided logic that helps you map your target companies in the Dutch market surgically, based on your experience and ambitions, and build a precise shortlist you can start working with.
If you want this tool as a gift, send me a private message with the word “Research”, and I will gladly send the link along with instructions and, of course, my best wishes.
Using the bot, and all of the tips above, is of course at your own responsibility.
But to the best of my understanding, in 2026 this is the way to take back control of your career, and hopefully to land soon in the job you actually dreamed of.
Happy hunting!