If I could go back 5 years and master just one concept to land a new job, it would be this: Candidate-Market Fit.

It’s probably the most powerful concept in job searching you've never heard of.

Here’s everything you need to know:

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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗠𝗙?

Candidate-Market Fit (CMF) is a powerful job-searching concept introduced by Phyl Terry in Never Search Alone.

It’s the job search equivalent of Product-Market Fit. Except instead of a product, the focus is on you, the candidate.

Just like a successful product needs the right market to thrive... You need to align your skills, experience, and positioning with the right opportunities. In essence, it’s about matching your unique value to the needs of the companies hiring.

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𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵

Most job seekers take a spray-and-pray approach. They apply to every open role that seems remotely relevant to them.

But the results are often disappointing, you know exactly what I mean. The key to finding the right job faster isn’t just sending more applications.

It’s about aligning your unique set of expertise with a role that truly fits you.

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𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸

Here's what happens when you nail down your CMF:

1. You’re targeting roles that truly align with your strengths

2. Your positioning resonates with hiring managers

3. Your chances of getting hired (and excelling in the role) increase dramatically

4. You stop wasting time on roles that don’t fit

5. You create a career trajectory with long-term impact

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𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

That’s why, in today’s Newsletter: "Candidate-Market Fit for Product Managers," I’ve broken down everything I wish I knew:

→ Signs that you need to evaluate your CMF

→ How to fix your CMF as a PM

→ Advanced strategies no one tells you

→ 6 real examples of CMF in action

If you’re looking for a new or better job, don’t miss this piece: