If LinkedIn Easy Apply feels like a black hole, read this.
A Conversation with Interview Prep, Salary Negotiation Expert Shayna Cavanaugh
Welcome to a midweek post from The Introverted Networker.
Job search feeling stuck? Career coach Shayna Cavanaugh joined me to share three truths that can change how you network, apply, and interview: you’re not a bother, Easy Apply is a slot machine, and practice out loud is your secret weapon.
This post takes about 2 minutes to read…
“You Can Sit With Us”
I met Shayna Cavanaugh on LinkedIn a while back.
She spent nearly twenty years in HR, first as a recruiter, then as an HR Director, before realizing she wanted to help job seekers directly.
Now she runs her own coaching business where she helps people get unstuck, build confidence, and land work that actually fits.
She’s especially good at helping professionals who feel burned out or unsure of what’s next.
One of her most creative ideas is something she calls “You Can Sit With Us,” a study hall for job seekers, and a play on the Mean Girls GIF above.
It’s a simple, quiet hour where people show up, work on their resumes or applications, and connect in the chat.
It’s part co-working, part community, and a reminder that you don’t have to job hunt alone.
When Shayna and I sat down to talk, three ideas stood out.
BTW, you can watch the whole conversation here 👇
1. You’re not bothering people. You’re connecting with them
Shayna hears this all the time: “I don’t want to reach out because I’ll be a bother.”
But as she pointed out, that fear only exists because so many of us have been on the receiving end of bad networking.
Real connection isn’t about asking for favors.
It’s about genuine curiosity.
If you’d be happy to hear from an old colleague, chances are they’d be happy to hear from you too.
2. LinkedIn Easy Apply is a slot machine
We laughed about how the “Easy Apply” button tricks people into thinking they’re making progress.
You click, you feel productive, but you’re just pulling the lever and hoping for a jackpot.
Real progress comes from slowing down, targeting fewer roles, and building conversations around them.
Technology makes it easier to apply but also easier to get ignored.
3. Practice out loud, not in your head
Most people “prepare” for interviews silently.
They think through their answers and assume that’s enough.
Shayna said the real confidence comes when you say it out loud.
Even better if you record yourself.
It feels awkward at first, but that’s how you train your brain and body to stay calm and clear when it counts.
Every one of these lessons applies beyond job searching.
Connection happens when we slow down, show up, and practice being real.
Whether that’s in an interview or a simple message to someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
If you’re in the middle of a career transition or just want a reminder that you’re not alone, go check out Shayna’s work on LinkedIn.
And if you need a place to stay accountable in your job search, you can literally sit with her.
If this helped you see job searching or networking in a new light, forward it to a friend or coworker who could use it right now.
The Introverted Networker Extras:
Get Your Personalized 5-Step Networking Plan. It’s a comprehensive toolkit that combines years of content from my book, this newsletter, my course, and all my LinkedIn posts with user-friendly resources.
My online course, “5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network,” will teach you the process I use everyday to grow my professional network.
Don’t Forget! 7 Weeks To Better Networking is always available to help you when you get stuck.
As always, I have lots more networking advice on The Introverted Networker YouTube channel.