How Long Did It Take to Land Your Job? Eight People Share Their Career Journeys

Landing the right job can take weeks, months, or even years depending on the industry and career path. Presence News asked leaders from a variety of professions a simple question:

“How long did it take you to land the job you’re in today, and what helped you the most during your search?”

From CEOs and entrepreneurs to educators and healthcare professionals, their responses reveal that there is no single path to career success. Some built companies instead of applying for jobs, while others relied on networking, specialized skills, or decades of experience.

Hendrika Ebregt said it took an entire semester to secure her technology role. During that time, she submitted numerous applications, attended networking meetups, and spent evenings strengthening her programming skills.

According to Ebregt, the biggest turning point came after organizing her GitHub portfolio and consistently solving coding challenges. Once recruiters could easily see her work, opportunities began to appear.

Her advice to job seekers is to publish projects online where employers can evaluate real-world skills instead of relying solely on a résumé.

---

Denise Gredler explained that she did not obtain her current position through a traditional job search. Instead, after years in corporate human resources, she founded BestCompaniesAZ approximately 25 years ago.

A defining moment came while serving as Vice President of Human Resources when her employer earned recognition on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list in both 1999 and 2000. That experience demonstrated how workplace culture and employer branding could elevate an organization’s reputation with employees, customers, and the broader community.

Gredler believes that building a strong professional reputation, earning credible third-party recognition, sharing authentic employee stories, and investing in long-term relationships created the trust that ultimately enabled her to launch her own company.

---

Ambria Salavantis credits her background in Business Administration and an MBA with preparing her for leadership at Wilkes-Barre Academy.

She said clear communication, high expectations, and mission-focused leadership allowed her to stand out during the hiring process. Those values helped connect the academy’s educational model with strong family relationships while preparing students to become confident individuals.

For Salavantis, consistently making thoughtful, mission-aligned decisions transformed prior leadership experience into the right opportunity.

---

Dr. Tariq Sawaqed emphasized that his career developed over decades rather than weeks.

Beginning his dental career in Jordan in 2002, earning a master’s degree in 2007, graduating from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2009, founding Lakewood Dental of Colorado in 2013, and eventually leading Arvada Implants and Cosmetic Dentistry all contributed to his current role.

Rather than pursuing titles, Sawaqed focused on developing clinical expertise, building patient trust, and improving the experience for people who often delayed dental treatment because of fear, uncertainty, or financial concerns.

His recommendation is to become exceptionally skilled at solving one meaningful problem. For his practice, that meant combining implant dentistry, digital planning, 3D imaging, custom laboratory work, and transparent financing into one patient-centered experience.

---

Matt Pinck said he never landed a traditional job—instead, he created one.

After studying jazz guitar, he began teaching because of his passion for music. Over more than 25 years, Be Natural Music grew naturally alongside his performing career.

Playing regularly in bands throughout Santa Cruz helped establish credibility in the community, leading students to trust both his musicianship and teaching ability.

Pinck encourages aspiring music educators to begin creating opportunities immediately by teaching students, organizing workshops, or performing live rather than waiting for job openings.

---

Jennifer Tamol said her search lasted several months because she wanted to find a position that aligned with her values.

She credits informal coffee meetings and conversations with professionals as the most valuable part of her search. Those discussions provided insights that online applications could not, and eventually one of those connections resulted in a referral.

Her advice is to remain patient while actively building relationships and asking thoughtful questions.

---

Cristina Amyot explained that she also built her own career rather than landing a conventional job.

After working in human resources, helping organizations establish HR infrastructure, and supporting businesses through Paychex, she founded EnformHR in 2008 while completing her Master of Human Resource Management at Rutgers University.

Amyot recognized that many growing businesses required experienced HR leadership but were not yet ready to hire a full-time HR executive. That observation became the foundation of her business model.

She advises professionals to study recurring business problems rather than focusing exclusively on job titles. Becoming known as someone who consistently solves difficult challenges creates opportunities that traditional job searches often cannot.

---

Walt Carter noted that while his current title may have come later in his career, the credibility behind it required more than three decades of executive leadership.

Having previously served in executive roles including COO, CIO, CMO, and Chief Digital Officer, Carter developed expertise connecting technology, strategy, operations, and organizational leadership.

Rather than relying solely on a résumé, he believes professionals should communicate a clear vision for solving business challenges. His recommendation is to prepare a detailed 90-day plan before serious interviews or executive discussions, demonstrating how risks would be reduced, priorities established, and measurable value created.

Different Paths, Similar Lessons

Although every contributor followed a different journey, several common themes emerged:

• Build practical experience instead of relying only on credentials.
• Invest in networking and meaningful professional relationships.
• Demonstrate your work through portfolios, projects, or measurable results.
• Develop expertise in solving specific problems employers face.
• Stay patient, as meaningful careers often develop over years rather than weeks.

Whether launching a company, advancing through executive leadership, or pursuing a specialized profession, these leaders demonstrate that career success is often built through persistence, continuous learning, and consistently delivering value.

More at Presence News:

Advice to My Younger Professional Self

Four Pieces of Advice High School Graduates Wish They Had Known

‘Climate Actions’ and ‘Debt Relief for Developing Countries’ — The G20’s Two Big Decisions That Could Shape the Future