- IBI Career Insights
- Posts
- IBI Minute: Tomorrow, we launch. But start with this.
IBI Minute: Tomorrow, we launch. But start with this.
How to unfreeze the “Why do you want to work here?” part in job application.
Quote of the Day
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
— Seneca, Roman philosopher
The 10-Minute Rule That Changes Every Application
You know that moment when you open a job posting and think, “I could totally do this,” then freeze at the “Why do you want to work here?” part?
We’ve all been there. The truth is, most people don’t struggle with resumes or interviews; they struggle with context. They rush to “sound impressive” before understanding who they’re even talking to.
Here’s a small mindset shift before you apply anywhere next time: research less like a student and more like a detective. 🕵️♂️
Out of the ten ways you can master this, here are just three:
1️⃣ Language: What exact words does the company use to describe success? You’ll mirror them in your resume.
2️⃣ Momentum: What did they launch, announce, or hire for in the past 3 months? That’s your conversational hook.
3️⃣ People: Who leads the team you’d join, and what do they care about publicly (eg. LinkedIn) ? That’s your alignment cue.
These three alone will already help you write better, interview stronger, and sound like someone who belongs there rather than someone trying to impress.
If you want the rest of the list, and a full framework that turns this into a repeatable system, you’ll find it inside Project: BELIEVE, launching tomorrow.
Between October 16–18, it’s available for $1 before returning to its regular price.
No motivational fluff. Just frameworks that make you quietly unstoppable.
PS. Tomorrow, we are sharing more than journaling prompts: GPT templates, research guidelines, POV of the recruiter, and more. You’ll get 200% clarity on what to do in your next job application. Stay tuned!
Program Preview
Sneak Peek from BELIEVE Week 1
Before we start tomorrow, try this short reflective exercise tonight.
It’s grounded in research on cognitive reframing and self-efficacy, inspired by Stanford’s Designing Your Life program and studies from Harvard Business Review on how writing builds clarity and confidence.
Ask yourself:
“What’s one role I still think I’m not qualified for, and why?”
Step 1. Write it down. ✍️
Putting a thought on paper helps separate belief from fact. Studies on expressive writing (Oxford University Press, 2011) show it lowers anxiety and improves problem solving.
Step 2. Make two columns. 🤔
Left side → your reasons you “can’t.”
Right side → convert each into an actionable skill, proof, or next step.
This is basic cognitive reappraisal: turning threat into plan.
Step 3. Add evidence. 🔎
List one situation where you’ve already shown part of that skill — even outside work. It trains your brain to notice proof instead of gaps.
Step 4. Re-read tomorrow morning. 😴
Sleep consolidates confidence (University of California research, 2018). Reading your reframed version after rest helps it feel truer.
This is what Week 1 of Project: BELIEVE looks like: small, science-backed steps that rebuild conviction from the inside out.
