- Jobseeking is Hard
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- #115 - Resumes Are Interviews
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #115 of Jobseeking is Hard!
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This week we’re talking about:
Stupid interview questions
A jobseeking horror story about being ghosted because of office politics
Why resumes are basically first-round interviews
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And a scam involving fake recruiters and malicious video interview sites
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking an article about negotiating for remote work
Giving you tips on using upskilling to fill resume gaps and/or help you pivot
Telling you how projects and networking can help you pivot careers
Answering a Premium subscriber's question about "Tell me about yourself." I'll explain what to focus on and which red flags to avoid.
Let’s get to it!
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
"You're not one of them tree-hugging Bambi lovers, are you?"
If you meet my salary demand, I’ll be whatever you want me to be.
“How do you feel about chickens?”
If you meet my salary demand, I’ll feel whatever you want me to feel.
"Would you rather practice yoga regularly or go to CrossFit regularly?"
The answer is never “flip a tire.”
Now I’m curious…
Would you rather practice yoga regularly or go to CrossFit regularly? |
Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected]
SPEAKING OF POLLS
Last issue, I asked you, “Which is the worst word: Moist or Phlegm?”
Almost 65% of you chose Phlegm!
Some of the best responses:
“I can't explain it, but I just don't like the word moist.”
"I flipped a coin. I understand a lot was riding on this question and that I should take it seriously. However, the worst-ness of both words was about the same, and in that situation, it's best to let chance decide fate. I make no apologies."
"Phlegm is obviously worse because this is a word that sounds like its meaning. It's a vomit-inducing sound, and you should really only be saying it to annoy your kids or your husband when they've tweaked your last nerve."
But my favorite was:
“What’s worse, getting punched in the face or tased in the genitals?”
Point taken.
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
I had known & worked with a gentleman who started out in engineering and worked his way up to VP of Engineering.
Later, I reached out to him when I was looking for a new opportunity. He told me his group had at least 1 opening unfilled and thought I might be a good fit for 2 more positions that would soon open up.
I interviewed with him, the hiring manager, and 2 of the team members. Everybody seemed satisfied I was a good fit. Then HR was supposed to get involved.
They didn't. They never contacted me. Not even a rejection.
After about 2 weeks, I contacted the VP to see what was happening. He let me know they wanted to hire me and send me an offer. After 2 more weeks, still nothing.
My VP friend called me after this and apologized for the f*** up, but they hired someone else. The director of HR had apparently been playing office politics because he didn't like the VP of Engineering and decided to do things his way.
Found out later that the director of HR was looking for a new job.
Ugh...that’s brutal.
You did everything right...solid networking, crushed the interviews. Then…office politics.
It’s so frustrating when stuff completely out of your control derails everything. You can only control so much in the job search. The stuff that’s out of your control (luck, timing, jerks) is always the most annoying.
I’m sorry that happened to you. You deserved better.
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 think it’s super helpful like this client 🤷♂️
So how did I give this ex-recruiter resume review client a helpful reality check?
The “how.”
A resume should tell the complete story of your value. Results are important, but so is the "how."
Think about it. Metrics like cost savings or retention improvements grab attention…but without the "how," those numbers can feel like they just appeared out of thin air and not have much impact. The mechanics of how you achieved those results give them credibility.
Companies want to know not just what you did, but how you operated, approached the challenge, and made an impact. The "how" shows that your success was no fluke, and that you can replicate success because you've got a skillset.
The "how" isn't about adding fluff or overwhelming the reader with unnecessary detail. It's about painting a clear picture of the skills, thought process, and actions that achieved those results. It connects the dots and makes your experience feel real and actionable.
And if you're thinking, "If they want to know how I did it, they'll interview me," they won't.
In this market, resumes are the first-round interview. Companies want to know as much as possible upfront because they're stretched thin, and their time is valuable. If they can't see enough on your resume to feel confident in your fit, they'll just move on to the next candidate. That's why your resume can't leave them guessing. You have to show both the "what" and the "how" to make it clear you're worth that interview invite.
Yes, the "what" shows your impact...but the "how" shows your potential. Together, they create a 360-degree view of what you bring to the table. It's about making the reader feel like they already know how you'll fit into their team before they even contact you.
That's how you stand out in a competitive market.
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!
That’s…intense
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!
I came across this terrifying post on X the other day, and it's one every jobseeker should be aware of.
You can check out the full thread here: https://x.com/tayvano_/status/1872980013542457802.
Scammers are posing as recruiters from well-known companies like Kraken, Meta, and Gemini, often reaching out via LinkedIn or other platforms like freelancer sites, job boards, Telegram, or Discord. They present enticing job opportunities with attractive pay ranges. After some back-and-forth, they'll send a link to a professional-looking site...often something like Willo Video Interviewing.
They'll ask thought-provoking questions that make you feel engaged and invested in the process. After answering several questions, you're asked to record a video interview. When you grant camera and mic permissions, everything still appears normal.
But...
The site will prompt you to "fix an issue" with your camera or mic by following specific instructions. These vary depending on your operating system, but all of them lead to a malicious action. You'll be asked to restart or update something in Chrome, which ultimately gives scammers full access to your system.
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 always struggle with the classic "Tell me about yourself." I never know how much personal information to include or how detailed to get, and I'm worried I might say something that puts me at a disadvantage. How should I approach this question to make the best impression?
Check out the Premium Section below for my answer! Not a Premium Subscriber? Upgrade here: www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade
Why upgrade?
Extra Tips & Advice: Gain exclusive insights, strategies, and advice from a recruiter with over 20 years of experience in the field. Discover what hiring managers truly value and how to stand out at every step of your job search.
Access to Previous Issues: Explore a library of knowledge with all 100+ past issues of the newsletter. Each edition is packed with proven strategies, practical advice, and real-world jobseeking stories to give you an edge in today’s competitive job market. From resume tips to handling tough interview questions, you’ll find answers to every challenge.
Exclusive Q&A: Have questions about your job search? Premium subscribers can ask Adam directly! Questions will be featured in upcoming issues, with detailed answers tailored to real-world scenarios, ensuring you get the guidance you need.
Bonus Content: As part of your Premium subscription, you’ll receive 20 additional job search tips delivered to your inbox over the next 20 days. This includes advice on avoiding common mistakes and maximizing your job search strategy to land interviews faster.
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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A subscription gets you:
- • Extra Tips & Advice: Gain exclusive insights, strategies, and advice from a recruiter with over 20 years of experience in the field. Discover what hiring managers truly value and how to stand out at every step of your job search.
- • Access to Previous Issues: Explore a library of knowledge with all 100+ past issues of the newsletter. Each edition is packed with proven strategies, practical advice, and real-world jobseeking stories to give you an edge in today’s competitive job market. From resume tips to handling tough interview questions, you’ll find answers to every challenge.
- • Exclusive Q&A: Have questions about your job search? Premium subscribers can ask Adam directly! Questions will be featured in upcoming issues, with detailed answers tailored to real-world scenarios, ensuring you get the guidance you need.
- • Bonus Content: As part of your Premium subscription, you’ll receive 20 additional job search tips delivered to your inbox over the next 20 days. This includes advice on avoiding common mistakes and maximizing your job search strategy to land interviews faster.
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