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- #131 - Make Your Case Clear
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #131 of Jobseeking is Hard!
Today's issue is brought to you by Fellow! Show our sponsor some love for supporting Jobseeking is Hard and check out the ad! Thanks!
This week we’re talking about:
Stupid interview questions
A jobseeking horror story about free consulting disguised as an interview
How to reframe your resume so hiring managers immediately understand your value
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking bad advice about asking questions during the application process
Giving you tips on how to show momentum when you’re unemployed
Telling you why posting about your job search on LinkedIn can actually help (if you do it right)
Answering a Premium subscriber's question about how much companies check your online presence. I'll explain how to stay professional without overthinking it.
Let’s get to it!
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
“What makes you dry heave?”
Just reading “dry heave” made me dry heave.
“Everyone is laughing at you. What do you do?”
This is why I prefer remote work. I turn off my screen.
Saw this on a job application.
I suppose either answer is ok, as long as the Cheez-Its aren’t Extra Toasty. No one needs that level of negativity in their life.
Now I’m curious…
Cheez-Its or Goldfish? |
Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected]
SPEAKING OF POLLS
Last issue, I asked you, “Would you rather have jellyfish for your feet or hands?” More than 67% of you want jellyfish feet (weirdos).
Some of the best responses:
"Less likely to unintentionally shock or poison myself."
"Can you imagine having Man o' War feet in a robbery situation? Not today, sir. Not today. Epic."
"I would get through crowds sooo easily waving around my creepy jellyfish hands! And absolutely no one would try to talk to me. An introvert's dream!!"
But my favorite was:
"Hands...then I can sting my co-workers when they upset me (annoyance, anger, frustration)."
Stinging co-workers???
(please tell me you know what this is)
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
I was interviewing for a role that started with a LinkedIn application, followed by a very sporadic phone conversation with far more things shared with me than probably should have.
Anywho, after that, I was asked to do a 9-person panel interview where they wanted me to present BRANDED training materials and my strategy for implementing a company-wide onboarding and training program specific to their company.
I thought about this for quite some time; ultimately, I chose to show my previously published materials and gave a large overview of what the training plan could be.
They were stunned I didn’t do exactly as they said.
Needless to say, I was ghosted after that.
I emailed the person I initially spoke to and was told someone would reach out...and I got nothing.
Thank goodness I didn’t do more than I did. I would have been even more p*ssed!
9-person panel interview. Branded training materials. A full-blown, company-specific onboarding strategy. All before you were even hired?
Totally normal. No red flags here.
You made the right call by drawing the line. Giving them a general overview and showing your published work is more than adequate. You gave them a taste of what you could bring to the table without handing over the full meal for free.
"You didn't give us exactly what we asked for!"
Cool. Maybe next time, pay for a consultant. 🤷
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 will help you land a pay increase iin a company that isn't a toxic cesspool like this client 🤷♂️
So, how did I help this Resume Edit client go from being laid off to landing a new role in just 2 weeks?
Clarity and positioning.
The experience was there…but the way it was framed made it harder for hiring managers to connect the dots. Dense phrasing and formatting, vague responsibilities and skills, and a structure that was difficult to navigate made the resume less targeted than it needed to be.
The biggest issue? It wasn't positioning the candidate for the kinds of roles they wanted. It was just (superficially) recapping what they'd done...without clearly explaining how those skills were used (and the impact they had).
When a resume just lists responsibilities or what you did without explaining how you did it, it leaves too much work for the reader. Hiring managers shouldn't have to guess whether you can step into the role they're trying to fill. Your resume needs to show them...clearly, quickly, and confidently.
To fix that, tighten the Summary to focus less on career history and more on forward-looking value, framing your skills and achievements in a way that points directly to the kinds of opportunities being pursued.
Remove generic language in the Experience and replace it with outcome-focused phrasing. Don't just tell the reader what skills you used... specifically show them how you used the skills mentioned in the job posting.
Clarity and positioning. That's what moves you forward.
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!
straight to jail
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!
Today's issue is also brought to you by SelectSoftware Reviews! Support our sponsors for supporting us and check out their ad! 🙂
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"Hi Adam! I really appreciate all the advice you share every week. Here's something I haven't seen covered much: How much do hiring managers actually look at a candidate's online presence beyond LinkedIn? Like, do I need to worry about an old Twitter account or posts from years ago? How deep do they dig?"
Check out the Premium Section below for my answer! Not a Premium Subscriber? Upgrade here: www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade
Why upgrade? For less than $0.63/day, you get:
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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