For JobsInAdTech Members Attending ATS London 2025
Let’s talk about how to make the most of ATS. If you're one of the lucky few with a ticket through JobsInAdTech, congrats! This is more than just an industry event. It’s a real opportunity to build connections, which build momentum and visibility in your job search - and can power you through your entire career.
And yet… I know some may be feeling:
“I’ve been out of work too long.” / “What’s the point? Nothing I try is working” / “I’ll be the outsider…”
These are limiting beliefs. They’re not truths. They’re stories our minds repeat when we feel unsure - and they keep us from showing up fully, with curiosity.
But here’s the good news: You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be present. And with the right mindset and moves, you can walk into ATS with confidence.
First! You need to shift the Belief: From “I don’t belong” to “I’ve got value to offer”
A few years ago, I coached a candidate who had 20 years of experience but was recently laid off. She wasn’t lacking in skill, she was lacking in belief. Her confidence had been chipped away by months of silence and rejection.
At her next event, we shifted her approach: instead of trying to “pitch,” she started with curiosity. She asked good questions, shared thoughtful insights, and walked away with 3 follow-up contacts.
So….
ATS Tip 1: Your job at ATS isn’t to Impress. It’s to Connect.
Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page here - networking isn’t about handing out your CV or memorizing an elevator pitch (although this is a good idea to always have one ready in your back pocket!).
Small talk is draining. Start listening. We’re talking about curiosity, sparking conversations that feel just like that… conversations. And it’s about activating advocates (which we covered in our last coaching webinar at the end of July).
Here are 3 opener questions you can use at ATS that work in any room:
- “What’s one thing your team is excited about right now?”
- “If you were hiring for your team today, what would matter most?”
- “Are there any skills you learned outside of work that helped you?”
And! Go 1 step better: put these into chatgpt and ask for 3 trend-inspired conversation starters that better suit you.
ATS Tip 2: Where you stand matters… (literally)
One of the most practical tips I’ve ever read about in-person networking comes from Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards:
Stand just outside the main crowd flow - near the bar or high-top tables.
Why? Because people feel more comfortable starting conversations on the edge of activity than in the middle of it. And where more natural than at the end of a bar after someone has got their drink and is looking for the next conversation.
So at ATS, don’t hover by the stage or stand awkwardly near the queue for the loo! Position yourself in a ‘social zone’ where casual chats can start naturally.
ATS Tip 3: Rewire your own beliefs before you walk in
Here’s a quick reframe tool before the event. Write your version of this….
Limiting Belief Reframe Instead to
“I’m overqualified.” “I bring deep experience that can add value immediately, and I’m ready for a role that aligns with my current goals and lifestyle.”
“I haven’t worked in months.” “Now I have time to explore what excites me.”
“I don’t know what to say.” “Curiosity is my secret weapon.”
Your ATS mini-challenge
- Make 1 new contact who shares something useful. Follow up within 48 hours.
- Post on LinkedIn after the event: a speaker quote, session insight, or your top takeaway. (tip: get a few and there’s your content for a few days or weeks).
- Ask 1 bold question at the bar, or during a speaker session.
Remember: You're not at ATS to “get picked.” You're there to own your space and build momentum.
Final Thought - Job hunting doesn’t pause when you attend an event. But how you show up at an event can supercharge your job hunt.
In our next live coaching webinar, we’ll prep together before you head to ATS.
🗓️ Join me: How to Show Up Strong at ATS (30-min pre-event booster session + Q&A)
📍Hosted by JobsInAdTech
And if you want individual coaching and support in building your networking strategy or your presence - let’s connect. 👉 Book your 15-minute coaching discovery call here
Samantha Barron, Certified Career Coach at Career-Coach.net