- Jobseeking is Hard
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- #141 - Addition by Subtraction
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #141 of Jobseeking is Hard!
Today’s issue is sponsored by 1440 Media! If you find value in Jobseeking is Hard, the best way to support us (for free!) is to check out our sponsors. Show 1440 some love for supporting us! Thanks!
This week we’re talking about:
Stupid interview questions
A jobseeking horror story about discovering what the hiring manager really thought
Why less can actually be more on resumes
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And a scam involving fake recruiters, fake interviews, and remote access
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking jobseeker phone greeting issues
Giving you tips on how to avoid looking overqualified…even when you kind of are
Telling you why you need to stop writing your resume like a job description
Answering a Premium subscriber's question about whether companies really keep resumes on file. I’ll explain how that works…and how to follow up the right way.
Let’s get to it!
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
“What weapon would you want to have in a zombie apocalypse?”
Me thinking about the question:
An interviewer once said to me, "Well, I already know your weaknesses...what are some of your strengths?"
Nothing says “toxic culture” like a weird power move to establish dominance during a job interview.
“Would you rather your lips were always dry, or your hands were always slippery?”
One day I’m going to find one of these interviewers and get them to talk on the record.
Now I’m curious…
Would you rather your lips were always dry, or your hands were always slippery? |
Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected]
SPEAKING OF POLLS
Last issue, I asked you, "Would you rather be trapped in a small room with 10,000 tarantulas for 10 minutes, or eat 10 tarantulas in 10 minutes?" 72%+ of you do NOT want to eat tarantulas 😅
Some of the best responses:
"I've got a strong gag reflex. I can't eat hairy stuff. (gack) Plus, I know that if you don't harass them, they won't bother you. I can stand pretty still for 10 minutes...it would be good for my yoga gear-up too :)"
"NEITHER. Either way I am walking away with PTSD. Would I rather think about these 10 minutes every time a hair brushes my arm or every time I pull a hair out of my mouth...I don't often find myself eating hair."
"I'd never lose the feeling of them crawling down my throat, so 10 minutes would last much longer."
But my favorite was:
"I mean, you're not saying HOW I get to eat them, so if we cut them into tiny pieces and make them look like chicken nuggets, then batter them with the secret spice mix (it's more tarantulas FYI) and deep fry them, I'm SURE they'll taste like chicken. Because doesn't everything in the end? Spider lickin' good..."
I feel like this was waaaay too detailed to be “hypothetical.”
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
I had applied for a position at a respected company in an industry I enjoyed working in.
I showed up for the interview, waited for a while before the hiring manager came out (who was running late).
We begin my interview and after a while, he receives a call on his office phone. He tells me it's someone in the field, we ignore the call and move on.
Then his cell phone rings. He excused himself. While I'm waiting there for what felt like 10 minutes, I look on his desk at my resume.
In pencil, he wrote "learn more" on my resume. However, what was erased was probably the most deflating thing I had seen up to that point in an interview. The word "NO" (all caps) was written, then erased poorly. I shut down after that, and didn't know what to do. I decided to do what anyone else who wanted to work in an industry they liked...I stayed and finished the interview.
I should have left. I didn't get the job, but lesson learned. My time is far more valuable than that; I need to excuse myself when something like that happens.
You saw "NO"...I can't imagine how deflating that must've been. I'm sorry that happened to you.
You stayed, which makes sense in the moment. But next time (and let's hope there isn't a next time), you're allowed to walk.
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 a fantastic job like this client 🤷♂️
So how did I help this Comprehensive Resume Review client land a role they’re very happy to be in?
Clarity.
Stop telling your whole story...and start telling the right one.
Their goal? Land higher-end roles in Account Management, Marketing, or Business Development.
The experience was there. But the resume? It was too long. It buried the relevance. And it didn’t tell a focused story that matched the roles they actually wanted.
If your resume isn’t getting the response you’re hoping for, try this:
Bring the most relevant skills to the forefront.
Rework your summary so it reflects what you bring, not just what you’ve done.
And, most importantly, trim anything that doesn’t point toward your next role.
Consider this “addition by subtraction.” No matter the role, recruiters want a specialist in that role, not someone who has the experience as part of a larger, more expansive skill set.
You don’t need to rewrite your whole career history. You just need a tighter, clearer pitch so that only the relevant skills and experience stand 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!
Reply: “do you intend to lie to me about how great it is to work for the company?”
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 still brought to you by 1440! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter 🙂
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JOB SCAMS!
Last week on LinkedIn, I came across a post from someone who had been scammed. Instead of staying quiet, they shared what happened to help others avoid the same fate.
A scammer posed as a recruiter on LinkedIn. The fake recruiter set up a convincing LinkedIn profile, complete with a verified account (note, you can have a verified profile by ID, not employer email, so you still can be scammed by verified accounts), as a recruiter for a well-known Web3 company. They messaged the victim about a job opportunity, and once a conversation started, they scheduled an interview.
During the call, the scammer claimed the candidate’s mic or camera wasn’t working properly and asked them to install software or drivers to “fix” it. Hoping to finish the interview, the candidate downloaded the drivers, which gave the scammer access to the victim’s computer...and their crypto wallet.
Once the money was stolen, the profile vanished. And LinkedIn was of no help, telling the candidate that they are not responsible for allowing the scammer to have a profile.
Do not download anything during an interview just because someone tells you to. If your mic or camera fails, always troubleshoot offline. No legit employer is going to ask you to install drivers or remote tools during a screening...especially ones they provide.
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 told a few times that I was a strong candidate, but they went with someone else and would keep my resume on file. Does that ever mean anything? Or is it just a nice rejection?”
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:
Subscriber-Only Discounts: Get exclusive promo codes for Karpiak Consulting services, available only to Premium subscribers. Whether you're updating your resume, need a LinkedIn profile review, or want expert help tailoring your applications, these occasional discounts make expert support more accessible.
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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- • 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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