In a world flooded with job postings, the most rewarding roles are often the ones you never see advertised. In this keynote, career strategist and bestselling author Steve Dalton reveals a proven system for bypassing the black hole of online applications - and instead, accessing the hidden job market through targeted, high-efficiency networking.
Drawing on insights from his two acclaimed books, The 2-Hour Job Search and The Job Closer, Steve dismantles the myth that the best jobs go to the best applicants - and shows why they actually go to the best relationships. In this data-driven and refreshingly tactical session, attendees will learn how to identify promising employers, create internal advocates, and generate interviews at companies they admire - no cold calls or awkward small talk required.
Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, re-entering the workforce, or seeking more meaning and visibility in your current role, this session will equip you with practical tools to stand out in a crowded market and take control of your career direction - without getting stuck in the application grind.
About your Speaker:
Steve Dalton is a leading expert in job search strategy and career development, best known as the author of The 2-Hour Job Search and The Job Closer, two Amazon #1 bestsellers published by Penguin Random House. His books have sold over 100,000 copies worldwide and are taught at more than 100 universities, where they are praised for transforming the job search from an intimidating guessing game into a structured, teachable process.As founder and CEO of Contact2Colleague, Steve equips students and professionals with step-by-step systems for turning strangers into advocates and for building lasting professional relationships—essential skills for both landing jobs and advancing within them. His workshops are trusted by career centers for their clarity, practicality, and results-driven focus, and his frameworks help coaches scale one-on-one support while giving students a sense of agency and momentum.Steve’s work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company, and his methods have become core elements of the job search curriculum at institutions ranging from small liberal arts colleges to top business schools.A former strategy consultant and marketer, Steve holds a chemical engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA from Duke University.
