- Jobseeking is Hard
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- #106 - Stop Hiding Your Value
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #106 of Jobseeking is Hard!
Today's issue is brought to you by Money.com! If you're a free subscriber and value our content, it costs $0 to support us by taking .0005 seconds to click the ad and check out the service. Show our sponsor some love for supporting Jobseeking is Hard! Thanks!
This week we’re talking about:
Stupid interview questions
A jobseeking horror story about ignoring red flags to pay the bills
Tips on sharpening bullet points for maximum impact
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And a scam involving fake recruiters posing as well-known external recruiting firms
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking a post about the “hidden job market”
Giving you tips on finding the right career direction after 50…even if you’re at a crossroads
Telling you how to position your experience as a former business owner when returning to W2 employment
Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about the dreaded “reason for leaving” trap. I’ll reveal how to keep it honest without making yourself look bad.
Let’s get to it! But first…
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!
Thanks to your requests and feedback, Karpiak Consulting is rolling out several new services, including standalone one-on-one coaching options and a mini resume review.
These will be available in limited quantities, so if they’re sold out on our site, you can sign up to be notified when they're back. We look forward to helping more of you in your job search! :)
Onto the newsletter!
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Years ago, I was interviewed for an HR Generalist role and was asked what part I would be if I were a car. So ridiculous.
The gas pedal, so you can accelerate out of the interview.
“What’s your favorite dance move?”
If you slowly stood up and did this, would this be an immediate hire?
“Would you rather work in the office in your pajamas or at home in a suit?”
I present to you…the Pajamas Suit.
Now I’m curious…
Would you rather work in the office in your pajamas or at home in a suit? |
Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected]
SPEAKING OF POLLS
Last issue, I asked you, “Would you rather do group yoga at work or MMA and why?” More than 52% of you chose MMA!
Some of the best responses:
"I'm not about to see Carl's testicles through his yoga shorts while he talks about how he and his ex-wife did yoga naked outside. I want to see Connor McGregor energy with March-Madness type betting and elimination."
"I mean, MMA classes and studios cost $$$ and are dangerous, so if work is paying the bill, let's goooooooo."
"Yoga would be beneficial for stress levels. However, I would love a chance to fight everyone I have grievances with. "What's that you just said Susan??" Elbow to the nose Lemme finish you off on the floor with an axe kick. I like work now."
But my favorite was:
"I don't want any of my coworkers touching me."
Ok fair.
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
So I've got one for you...
I go in for the initial interview with the Finance & Accounting managers. Both are pretty nice, and they seem really excited about my experience. They told me they hadn't had staff-level people who could handle those things and thought I would be an asset.
I went home and told the recruiter it went well and that I felt pretty good.
He says they're thrilled with me, that they have a lot of interest, and that there's TONS of room for growth. Even hinted that the manager might be getting promoted and that I would be a good fit for her current role. He then schedules the next interview with the department head/final decision maker.
That interview starts off OK. Then the department head starts spilling the tea...none of the staff cares about deadlines. Straight up says their response is, "What happens if I don't meet this?" And her response is "nothing". She then says there's absolutely NO room for a title change, but there's plenty of work to do and the potential for raises.
I followed up with the recruiter and shared the discrepancies and my concerns; they said they were explicitly told not to make promises, but they were certain within 6 months, I'd be up for a promotion/raise as long as I performed the way they were anticipating.
Due to the economy and urgent need for some kind of income, I ignored the red flags and accepted the job. And let me tell you, this dumpster fire is even worse than I thought. Turns out I'm replacing 3 people who all quit within the last few months, one of them without even giving notice.
My coworker simply refuses to do more than the bare minimum, and the dept head likes to publicly shame people via a group Teams chat rather than deal with issues individually.
Now I'm back on the hunt.
Oof…That initial excitement…the reassurance from the recruiter… only for the red flags to start waving, one after another.
Hey, sometimes you have to make practical choices to keep the lights on, even when the job is a “dumpster fire” waiting to happen. Bills need to be paid, and sometimes ignoring those red flags is just part of surviving the market.
It sounds like you did what a lot of people are forced to do...recognize the reality of the situation and still take the job to get some income flowing. Use this as a stepping stone, but keep the search going. The best way to stay sane? Just keep reminding yourself that this is temporary.
Subscribers…
Has anything like this ever happened to you? |
If there's a jobseeking horror story *you’d* like to share, reply or email [email protected]
SHAMELESS PLUG
If your job search needs a little more help, Karpiak Consulting offers resume and LinkedIn services, as well as job search strategy coaching.
Who knows…maybe you’ll be so pleased with the service that you’ll want to gift it to someone else, like this client 🤷♂️
So how did I help this resume review client?
Clarity.
If your resume is filled with long, detailed bullet points, you could be unintentionally burying your strongest achievements. Lengthy descriptions can make it harder for recruiters to quickly spot the value you bring. The goal of each bullet point is to deliver your impact in a way that’s easy to scan and understand. Think of each line as a sharp, focused statement that showcases your results, not just your responsibilities.
One effective approach is to avoid cramming multiple ideas into a single bullet point. Instead, break down your accomplishments into concise statements, each focused on a specific result.
This approach is direct and measurable, making it easier for recruiters to absorb the key information. Shorter, results-focused points allow recruiters to grasp the significance of your work at a glance, without having to search through dense blocks of text.
Context is equally essential. Without it, even the best achievements may not fully resonate with a hiring manager. Every point should provide clarity on how your work contributed to larger objectives. Did you help cut costs, improve efficiency, or boost revenue? It’s not enough to simply state what you did; make sure it’s clear why it mattered.
These small changes make it easy for recruiters to understand the value you bring, without needing to read between the lines.
In the end, the simpler and more focused your resume points are, the more your true value stands out.
If you’re feeling like your resume isn’t telling your story the way it should and don’t know how to frame your experience, our services can help.
BEST (WORST?) JOB POST
OF THE WEEK
Here’s the job post that got the most people talking on my Instagram this week!
only if it pays a salary never before seen
If you come across an irritating job posting, email it to the newsletter or DM me on Instagram and I’ll add it to the list to post!
JOB SCAMS!
Over the past week, several people have sent me messages about scams where scammers pretend to be recruiters representing well-known external recruiting firms (you know them...the large "name brand" firms).
They're using real company names, including the "clients" their firms are recruiting for, and logos to make their schemes look legit.
All of the stories are similar: scammers pose as recruiters from real firms, claiming they're hiring for high-demand roles. They'll use official-looking logos, throw around familiar company names, and even provide job descriptions that seem credible.
But here's the catch: they ask you to go on WhatsApp or Telegram and then ask for personal information up front, like social security numbers and banking info. Sometimes, they even demand money to "secure" a spot in the hiring process and have your resume sent to the client. No legitimate recruiting firm operates this way.
If they pressure you with phrases like "act fast" or "don't miss this opportunity," that's a big red flag. Legit recruiters don't rush you like this. They're also known to use personal email domains or slight misspellings in their email addresses, which is an easy way to spot them if you look closely.
Remember, a genuine recruiting firm will never ask for money to help you find a job. They're paid by the companies that are hiring, not by the candidates. If you're ever unsure, verify the recruiter's identity through the company's official website or contact information. And if you encounter one of these scammers, report them, block them, report the scam to the external recruiting firm so they are aware, and move on.
Stay safe out there!
Has this scam contacted you? |
If you come across a potential scam, send it to [email protected], and I’ll warn the community. And if you’ve been a victim of a job scam, the FTC has job scam reporting resources listed here.
What do you recommend to write into the "reason for leaving" portion on applications? It's usually a requirement, but it feels like an absolute trap...a no-win situation.
Check out the Premium Section below for my answer! Not a Premium Subscriber? Upgrade here: www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade
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Jobseekers, have a great rest of your week, and good luck with those applications!
-Adam
PS!! If you're enjoying the newsletter, let people know! Forward it, post it on social, tag me, whatever...the bigger the discussion, the better! The idea is to help as many people as possible!
About Adam- Recognized as a leading voice on hiring and workplace trends, Adam has been recruiting and providing career advice since 2003, developing high-trust relationships based on honesty with companies and jobseekers. A highly sought-after speaker, he has appeared in numerous outlets, including Bloomberg News, Business Insider, LinkedIn, and CNNMoney. You can find out more about Adam's resume and coaching services here.
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