- Jobseeking is Hard
- Posts
- #110 - Presentation Matters
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #110 of Jobseeking is Hard!
Today's issue is brought to you by The Rundown! 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. You don’t even have to subscribe or buy anything…just clicking helps support us 😅 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 endless interviews and unpaid work
Making your resume easier to read for better results
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And a scam involving holiday season job offers that seem too good to be true
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking an article claiming companies always lowball their offers to save money
Sharing the easiest thing you can do with the most impact to land an interview
Telling you how to job search while working full-time without burning yourself out
Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about transitioning from freelancing to a full-time role. I’ll explain how to reframe your freelance experience to align with the jobs you’re targeting and position it as a unique strength.
Let’s get to it! But first…
GOOD VIBES
I love hearing how the newsletter is helping people in their job search. It’s why I do it! I wanted to share 2 recent messages from free subscribers. One landed a new job, and another scored an interview that could be a big step forward in their career.
Congrats to both of them!
So, to everyone out there still grinding, take these stories as proof that you’re not alone...and that progress is possible. Celebrate your small wins, learn from the setbacks, and keep going. You’ve got this!
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
“Why do you think you haven’t gotten a job yet?”
Fun Fact: If someone asks you that, you’re legally allowed to take a swing at them.
“What is your favorite wine?”
Yes.
“Would you rather your office chair be an oversized bean bag you have to awkwardly climb out of or an exercise ball that you have to continually roll or bounce on?”
Sorry, you lost me at “exercise.”
Now I’m curious…
Would you rather your office chair be an oversized bean bag you have to awkwardly climb out of or an exercise ball that you have to continually roll/bounce on? |
Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected]
SPEAKING OF POLLS
Last issue, I asked you, “If you were in a nationally televised eating competition, would you have a better chance of winning if you were eating cranberry sauce or green bean casserole?” More than 65% of you wanted the cranberry sauce!
Some of the best responses:
“Slurp...slurp...yum!”
“To be honest, the thought of responding to this question caused me to throw up a bit in my mouth. It could be that you mentioned the ‘slurping sound’ that did this. 🤮”
"Cranberry sauce, because I can do Jello shots 'til I pass out. I'm also concerned about the after-effects of too much green bean casserole."
But my favorite was:
“Shovel it in and swallow. Don’t waste time chewing!”
Working smarter, not harder…
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
I’m on interview 5 of 6 for an Account Management role. I had to complete a PowerPoint presentation that ended up being 11 slides, but they responded that there still wasn’t enough info, so I added more. Now it’s up to 23 slides. I’ve followed up, but I haven’t heard from them in almost 2 weeks. I’ve probably invested 15-20 HOURS on this. I charge my consulting clients $150 an hour. It’s mind-boggling the hoops you have to jump through just to be ghosted. If I had some capital, I’d go do my own thing and stop working for others.
6 interviews, 23 slides, 15–20 hours...and now radio silence? That’s not a hiring process, that’s a hostage situation.
Asking you to do all this unpaid work and then ghosting you is a masterclass in disrespect. At this point, you’ve done more work for free than most employees probably do in a month. The worst part? It makes you wonder how they treat their actual employees if this is how they handle candidates.
Honestly, I get the temptation to ditch it all and work for yourself. At least then, you know your time is valued. Here’s hoping they resurface soon and realize just how much they owe you...starting with some feedback.
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 it’ll help you land an offer with a salary increase like this client 🤷♂️
So how did I help this resume edit client?
Presentation.
Making your resume easier to read can significantly boost your chances of landing interviews. Recruiters and hiring managers are busy...if your resume feels cramped or hard to scan, it might get overlooked, no matter how qualified you are. Simple tweaks like increasing the font size, adjusting margins, and organizing your content into clean, readable sections can make a huge difference in how your resume is received.
Start by ensuring your font is large enough to read easily (stick with 10–12pt for most text). Adjusting margins can help create more breathing room without cutting down on content. Make sure sections are clearly defined and use consistent spacing to make the document visually appealing. Don’t underestimate the power of white space...it’s your friend. White space gives the reader’s eyes a break and helps guide them to the most important information, making your resume feel clean and professional rather than overwhelming.
Keep in mind, a human is reading the resume and making decisions on who to shortlist...not an ATS. Resumes are more than just data to be uploaded...they’re documents that someone still has to open and look at. If your formatting makes it difficult for them to find the information they need, it could cost you an interview. Consider how your resume looks and reads when designing it, not just what keywords are included.
It’s not just about what you include...it’s about how easily someone can see the value you bring. By focusing on readability, you ensure that your experience and achievements don’t get lost in a sea of text. With a few adjustments, you can make your resume more inviting, more professional, and more impactful. These simple updates can help you stand out in a crowded field and get noticed.
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!
7 interviews and a case study and they’ll still offer you $51K
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!
The holiday season is prime time for retailers and shippers to hire seasonal workers, offering a chance to earn extra cash and, sometimes, even land a long-term position.
But not all holiday job offers are legit. Scammers are out in full force during this busy hiring season. If a job opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Here’s how to stay safe while looking for seasonal work:
First and foremost, a legitimate employer will never ask for money. Be cautious of businesses asking you to pay for supplies, application fees, or training costs...those are the employer’s responsibility. If anyone is asking you for payment, it’s a major red flag.
Another red flag is skipping interviews. Even during peak hiring times, such as the holidays, reputable companies still want to screen candidates. If you’re offered a job without so much as a phone call, take a step back and question the company’s practices. Do your research and verify their legitimacy before proceeding.
Outrageously high wages for simple tasks like reshipping packages or stuffing envelopes are another common scam tactic. These jobs often lead to identity theft via fake job applications. Remember, big pay for minimal effort is almost always a trap.
Legitimate companies also won’t ask you to complete a test day/shift before making you an official hire. If a company is pushing you to work before giving you an offer letter or a written agreement, it’s a sign something’s off.
This holiday season, stay proactive but cautious. Research companies, trust your gut, and watch out for red flags.
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.
I’ve been freelancing for the past five years, and I’m ready to transition back to a full-time role. I’ve heard that hiring managers don’t always value freelance experience the same way as in-house jobs. How can I make sure my freelance work is taken seriously?
Check out the Premium Section below for my answer! Not a Premium Subscriber? Upgrade here: www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade
AFFILIATES
NOTE: As an affiliate to these services, we will receive compensation if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
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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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