The Influencer Economy: Why Visibility Is the New Résumé

Are you tired of applying to job after job and hearing nothing back? Wondering why others with less experience seem to get ahead while you’re stuck in career limbo? In this game-changing episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast, Olajumoke Fatoki breaks down why your résumé alone isn’t enough in today’s job market—and how the influencer economy has reshaped the way professionals land opportunities.

You’ll learn why visibility, credibility, and relationships are more important than ever—and how to position yourself so the right people see your value.
Whether you're a career changer, recent grad, immigrant professional, or mid-career job seeker, this episode offers practical strategies to help you:

✅ Build a personal brand without becoming a social media influencer
 ✅ Increase visibility and get noticed by recruiters and decision-makers
 ✅ Shift from applying blindly to attracting real opportunities
 ✅ Use LinkedIn more effectively to network and grow credibility
 ✅ Take small steps that lead to big wins in your job search

🎁 Plus, grab Olajumoke’s FREE Career Clarity Playbook to uncover your strengths and stand out in today’s competitive job market. https://bit.ly/455gApU

Transcript

Olajumoke Fatoki (Intro)
Hey there, and welcome back to another empowering episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast. Every week, I share real insights, actionable tips, and practical strategies to help you conquer today’s job market—which, let’s be honest, is something else.

So let me ask you a question.

Have you ever seen someone in your network land a job and thought: “Wait a minute… how did that happen? I have way more experience than they do.”
Yeah? Me too. And I know how frustrating that can feel—especially when you’ve worked hard, updated your résumé, earned new certifications, and followed all the advice.

But today, I want to flip the script.

Because here’s what no one’s telling you: we’re not in the old-school job market anymore. That era is gone. We’re now living in what I call the influencer economy.

And no—you don’t need to dance on TikTok or become a YouTube star.
 What I mean is: in today’s world of work, it’s no longer just about what you know. It’s about who knows you—and what they believe you bring to the table.

Let me break it down.

Back in the day, people said: go to school, get a degree, and you’ll get a good job. That worked for our parents. But today? The game has changed.

A recent LinkedIn study found that 85% of jobs are filled through networking—not online applications. That means people are getting hired not just because they're qualified… but because someone knew them, trusted them, and referred them.

Before you think that’s unfair, I get it—I’ve been there. So ask yourself:

• Why do I keep getting ghosted after interviews?
• Why do they hire someone with less experience?
• Why are my inboxes full of rejection—even when I know I’m capable?

There was a time I applied endlessly. I had the degrees, the experience—yet no traction. Especially as an immigrant, time was ticking. I needed that job desperately.

That’s when it hit me: maybe I wasn’t visible enough.
I was doing what everyone else was doing—waiting to be picked, instead of being seen.

And that shift changed everything. It’s what led me to start this podcast in the first place. And now, we’ve grown into a global community across 21+ countries.

This isn’t about fame. It’s about being intentional. And today, I’m showing you how.

🧠 What is the Influencer Economy?

In the old job market, people looked at your résumé to decide if you were valuable.
 In the influencer economy? People look at your presence and your relationships.

Here’s a simple example. If you needed a photographer, would you choose someone random from Google—or someone your friend raved about, whose work you’ve seen?

Exactly.

Trust and visibility win.

So showing up? Non-negotiable. Building trust? Non-negotiable. Creating relationships? More critical than ever.

💡 3 Things You Can Do Now to Thrive in This New Economy

1. Clarity

Be crystal clear about what you do and how you help.
 It’s not just “I’m a project manager.”
 Try: “I help teams stay organized and deliver projects on time without stress or confusion.”

Pro tip: If a 10-year-old wouldn’t understand it, it’s too vague.

2. Credibility

Share your stories and wins—even the small ones.
 No need to brag. Just be honest and helpful. Post on LinkedIn about how you solved a problem at work or what you’re learning right now. Be a guide, not a guru.

3. Connections

Start building genuine relationships—before you need them.
 Say hello to someone on LinkedIn. Comment on their posts. Join a community in your industry. Be kind. Be human. Because in this economy, relationships are currency.

💬 Final Thoughts

I know it can feel overwhelming. But I promise—it’s doable.
 You don’t need 10,000 followers or a perfect plan. You just need to start showing up, little by little.

Because your next opportunity? It won’t come from applying to 100 more jobs.
 It will come from being seen—by the right people—and showing them the value you bring.

So let me ask you again: What problem do you solve?
Because that’s what companies are really hiring for.

🎁 Take the Next Step

I’ve got something to help you get started: my free Career Clarity Playbook.https://bit.ly/CareerClarityPlaybook
It’s filled with easy exercises to help you uncover your strengths, your story, and how to stand out. Download it via the link in the show notes—it’s totally free.

Want more behind-the-scenes support from me? Join my weekly newsletter at thrivecareersconsulting.ca. It's your personal pep talk—straight to your inbox.

If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend who needs a little encouragement. Tag me @ThriveCareersHub on Instagram or LinkedIn—I’d love to hear what resonated most.

And always remember:
 You don’t need permission to shine.
 You just need to show up where it counts.

Catch you in the next one.