Hossein Mirvalad on Rethinking Your Career: The Playbook to Delivering Impact and Receiving Fulfillment
It's not about the perfect resume. It's about clarity, consistency, and connection.
We interviewed Hossein Mirvalad, a former startup founder and product manager based in Montreal, Canada. This is article 3 of the series:
Hossein Mirvalad: From Product Leader to Job Seeker: What Starting Over in a New Country Taught Me
Hossein Mirvalad: On Unshakeable Resilience and How to Keep Going When Everything Is Changing
Hossein Mirvalad on Rethinking Your Career: The Playbook to Delivering Impact and Receiving Fulfillment (this one!)
Context:
Job hunting isn’t just about resumes and cover letters. For Hossein, it became a process of self-discovery. "I realized my background wasn’t a weakness—it was an edge." He went from being ghosted to being seen—by changing how he told his story.
Hossein has navigated a career in various company sizes, including founding his own. He has reinvented himself many times and crafted a successful career with purpose out of successes and setbacks by carefully connecting the dots. “Your experience does not have to be linear.”
Methodology: Hossein's Playbook for Job Fulfillment
1. Stop chasing jobs. Start delivering value.
"Before every interview, I ask: Why would paying me 100K be worth it for them? How do I make it a no-brainer to say yes?" His goal became to articulate clear, relevant value—not just hope for a match.
2. Know the problem you love solving.
Clarity beats polish. "Ask yourself: What kind of problems do I enjoy solving? What type of work energizes me? What kind of team helps me thrive?"
3. Network like a human.
"Don't ask for a job right away—ask for a conversation first." Hossein makes it a habit to meet one new person a week and relies on establishing connections over anything else: "It builds confidence, perspective, and community."
4. Learn like it’s your job.
He recommends regular, focused learning time. "One hour a day beats one big learning session a month. Use AI tools to prep, research companies, and stay sharp." Once again, making it a habit and being consistent counts.
5. Articulate and deliver.
"Some people do great work but can’t explain it. Others speak well but don’t create value. You need both." Make sure you are able to sell yourself adequately, and back it up with your skillset.
Closing Thoughts:
Hossein treats his career like a product: test, learn, improve, repeat. His best advice? He is extremely intentional about acquiring soft and hard skills and always listens to weekly feedback to improve. Get out of the loop of doubt and into a rhythm of small, consistent actions.
"You're not behind. You're just in the middle of your story."
Connect with About Hossein:
Hossein is a product manager based in Montreal. Looking to connect with him and get his advice? You can reach out to him on LinkedIn if you’re navigating career change or job search. He’s happy to listen, share, or simply remind you that you’re not alone.