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Madeline Mann

Author of "Reverse the Search" & Career Coach

Madeline Mann is a Job Search Strategist and HR Leader based in Los Angeles, CA. She is the best selling author of “Reverse the Search” & is known for turning job seekers into Job Shoppers. She has garnered an audience of millions of people and is a featured job search coach on Spotify & LinkedIn Learning. Mann’s job search coaching programs have led to thousands of success stories, and her work has been featured on ABC, Bloomberg, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Harvard Business Review, and more. Her YouTube channel has been named a “Top 10 YouTube Channel for Job Seekers” and a “Top 5 Career YouTube Channel”.

Education

  • MS in Organizational Psychology, USC
  • BA in Psychology, UC San Diego

Professional Achievements

  • Host of the "Job Shopper" reality show
  • Named as a LinkedIn Top Voice
  • Bestselling author of "Reverse the Search," published by Penguin Random House
  • LinkedIn Learning Instructor with 4 courses and 700,000+ learners
  • Featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Bloomberg, and more

Favorite Piece of Advice

Being great at your job, and being great at job searching are two different skill sets. Take time to learn how to job search, and it will change the trajectory of your life!

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Forum Comments (3)

What is your greatest accomplishment​ in life?
The thing that throws people off when they are asked, "What is your greatest accomplishment," is that they often will default to their personal perspective or their personal view. So, I would clarify by saying, "I have a professional accomplishment that sticks out to me, or did you want something personal instead?"

If the person is really looking for something personal, then they'll tell you. But I would default to professional, because too many people will say, the birth of my son, or being the first person in my family to graduate from college. Those things are amazing, but those are far from unique in the applicant pool and also not what the company is looking for as far as matching you to the job.

So, I would pick an accomplishment that is a big accomplishment for you, but is also highly relevant to the role you're going for. Make sure that there are clear lines you can draw from that accomplishment to things you accomplish in the job you're going for.
Tips on how to ask for a raise? I'm nervous!
The best way to ask for a raise is don't wait until a performance review cycle , but instead to ask your manager, “What is the path to get a raise?” This will help them tell you what skills you need to build, what numbers you need to hit, and what projects you need to be on. Write those down, work towards them, talk about them in your one-on-one meetings with your manager, and express that you are looking to get a raise.

It seems kind of funny that you need to tell your manager that you want more money, but they won't be thinking about it. Otherwise, they have their own things going on, and maybe they assume that you are perfectly satisfied and happy with where you're at. They wouldn't know unless you tell them. And so, co-create that plan with your manager so that you're never surprised when it comes to review time, whether or not you are going to get that raise.
What should I say when asked "what are your salary expectations?"
The way you respond is saying, “I'm looking for the best fit and overall package”, and asking if they have some sort of a range that they're working within. If they say no, and they insist on you giving a number, I recommend giving a researched range and positioning it that way. So, that can sound something like, “Based on the other jobs I have been looking at, I'm seeing a lot of the salaries range from X to Y. Is that what you're seeing in the market?” And notice that that framing makes it so you're not locked into that salary. You're not saying you need this salary, but you're just proposing a range.

And so, if you are wildly above what they're looking for, they might just tell you that right out of the gate. Maybe I was looking at the wrong cities, or my research is a bit off. Just make sure whatever range you say that the bottom number you say is actually more of like your middle, middle upper of your range, so you want to say a number that you would be excited to accept as your bottom number.

Co-authored Articles (19)

How to Make the Perfect CV (Proper Format, Tips, and Samples)

Create a Curriculum Vitae that's sure to stand out and make you shine as a candidateA company you want to apply to has asked you to send in a CV and you're thinking, "Wait...what ''is'' that?" Don't worry! Curriculum Vit...

How to Write a Job Application Letter (with Examples)

An expert-approved formatting and writing guide to help you stand outSo, you’ve found your dream job and want to make sure you nail the job application process. You double- and triple-check the criteria—they’re ask...

How to

Make a Resume

Whether you're a new graduate or a seasoned professional, a polished resume is essential for a successful job hunt. Your resume is a visual document that hiring managers will typically only glance at for a few seconds. A...

How to

Get a Job

Maybe your current job just isn’t working out, or maybe you just graduated and are trying to get employed for the first time. The job market can be hard to crack in either case, no matter your age or experience. Start ...

150 Positive Tuesday Quotes for Motivation & Inspiration at Work

Boost your productivity, mood, & confidence with these quotes Looking to find some motivation for your Tuesday at work? Whether you’re still dealing with the Monday blues or excited to start a fresh day at the office, ...

How to

Start Freelancing

Becoming a freelancer is a great way to start working for yourself. You can work for multiple employers at a time, hone a variety of marketable skills, and work as much or as little as you want. Even if you’ve never wo...

How to Write a Winning Professional Statement: A Complete Guide

Insider tips on writing the perfect professional profile for any careerYou’re writing your resume so you can go snag a new job, but what is this “personal profile” you keep seeing everywhere? A personal profile (or...

How to Find a Job When You Have No Experience

Recent graduates often struggle to get a job because many positions, even entry-level jobs, require one to two years of work experience. What most people don't realize is that in many instances they already have the nece...

How to Accelerate Your Job Search & Get an Offer

Learn the fastest ways to get hired for any job Searching for a new job can be a stressful, overwhelming, and time-consuming process. We all want to find the perfect job that will be personally satisfying and give us fin...

How to

Know What You Want in Life

You have to be honest with yourself to figure out what will truly make you happy in life. No two people are going to have the same path to life satisfaction, no matter how well-matched they are, so you need to look deep ...

13 Polite Ways to Say "Looking Forward to Hearing from You"

Learn how to use each variant phrase in work correspondences Are you wondering if “Looking forward to hearing from you” is the best way to prompt someone to respond in a work email? We’re here to help you figure o...

How to

Get a Job at Starbucks

Everyday, Starbucks hires new employees to work in retail and corporate positions. Working for Starbucks has a lot of perks, but so many people apply that it’s tough to get hired. To become a proud Starbucks employee, ...

How to

Go on Strike

A strike is a powerful way to change your workplace and secure better wages and benefits. However, you must plan and budget carefully for the strike to be successful. Only members of a recognized labor union can go on st...

As Per My Last Email: Why You Should Avoid It (and What To Use Instead)

Try our polite and professional alternative phrases in your next email If you’ve ever worked in an office, you might have sent or received an email containing the phrase, “As per my last email…” But what does thi...

How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Colleague

Easy templates to use for your professional reference letter If a coworker or colleague just asked you to write them a reference letter, you’re probably wondering where to begin. Whether they’re applying for a new po...

How to

Hustle

Hustle is recession proof. These days, everyone can use some fast money. Whether you're employed and want to earn some extra coin, or are interested in parlaying your talking skills into some money-making, you can learn ...

Costco Minimum Hiring Age: Everything You Need to Know

Discover entry-level positions at Costco that don't require experienceFresh out of high school and ready to start making your way in the world with a great beginner job? Costco offers entry-level positions to applicants ...

How to

Get a Job at Amazon

Amazon is a tech giant that employs a huge workforce of more than 560,000 employees, or ‘Amazonians,’ worldwide. Headquartered in Seattle, with offices and centers around the globe, Amazon offers many employment oppo...

The Best Subject Lines for a Thank You Email After an Interview

Plus a full template for the perfect post-interview email You’ve just had an interview for a job you really want, and now it’s time to send your interviewer a thank you email—but where to begin? Writing the perfect...