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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #144 of Jobseeking is Hard!

Today’s issue is sponsored by HubSpot! If you find value in Jobseeking is Hard, the best way to support us (for free!) is to check out our sponsors. Show HubSpot some love for supporting us! Give ‘em a click! Thanks!

This week we’re talking about:

• Stupid interview questions

• A jobseeking horror story about finding out not all status updates are helpful

• Resume advice on making your industry pivot feel intentional

• The best (worst?) job posting of the week

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Debunking the “ex” debate

• Giving you tips on showing career growth without a promotion

• Telling you why clarity beats creativity in most hiring processes

• Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about using LinkedIn content to boost your job search. I’ll explain how engagement, visibility, and newsletters can work in your favor...and what to actually do.

Let’s get to it! But first…

MORE JOB SEARCH TIPS!

Here are 3 blog posts from this past week with some of my most practical advice!

• 18 Resume Tips You Should Actually Use - Quick, practical reminders to make your resume more relevant, readable, and recruiter-friendly!

• 25 Job Search Tips That Still Hold Up - Resumes, interviews, LinkedIn, and more...skimmable and actually useful!

• My Best Resume Advice (From the Last 3 Months) - A collection of the advice that’s been landing people interviews!

STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

“If you had to eliminate a state which one would you eliminate and why?”

Was this the interviewer:

“What is something you think you're good at but you're actually bad at?"

“Would you rather wear a wedding dress/tuxedo every single day or a bathing suit every single day?”

Asking about wearing a bathing suit every day?

[calls HR]

Now I’m curious…

Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected] 

SPEAKING OF POLLS

Last issue, I asked you, “Would you rather be able to control your own dreams or control someone else's dreams?” 75% of you want to control your own dreams!

Some of the best responses:

But my favorite was:

Wait. You’re telling me clowns are threatening?!? YOU DON’T SAY.

COMMUNITY CATHARSIS

I just received a rejection letter THIRTEEN MONTHS after I applied for the job.

Uh...who are you? 🤣

13 months? Wow, when they say "careful consideration," they weren't kidding! I'm sure they were "impressed with your background" too.

Oh, and have you heard about the new law in Ontario? Starting January 2026, employers in Ontario must notify interviewed candidates of their hiring status within 45 days.

Subscribers…

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 work wonders for you and help you convey your work journey in an impactful way like this client 🤷‍♂️

So how did I help this Comprehensive Resume Review client from June get the job they “dearly wanted” in July?

Making the pivot feel obvious.

This client had spent most of their career in a single industry. They'd already started shifting into a new type of work, but now they wanted to keep developing their career outside of that industry and apply for higher-level roles.

The problem? They felt their prior experience was holding them back and recruiters wouldn’t see them as qualified. Their resume wasn't telling the full story. It didn't make the shift feel intentional or aligned with the more senior-level roles they were targeting.

The goal was to build confidence that hiring teams would see the jobs they're applying for as a logical next step, regardless of industry.

So my review explained how to reframe the experience around business outcomes by focusing on transferable skills. Highlight project scope, reach, and results...not just tasks. You can't explain your experience and skills in your past industry if you're looking to strengthen your pivot towards something else.

The pivot can feel natural and seamless by showing how their work supported engagement, retention, and operational improvement...not just within one industry, but in universally relevant ways.

A few weeks later, the job offer came in.

So how can you do this?

Start by shifting the focus away from job titles and responsibilities based on industry...and toward the outcomes your work drives. Look at your resume through the lens of what your next employer cares about. Are you highlighting strategic alignment? Are you making the pivot feel natural, intentional, or leaving it up to the reader, hoping they just "get it?"

The clearer the story, the more confident the reader is in your fit.

If you're trying to pivot industries…or prove that your current experience belongs in a more senior role, 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!

well played

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 Superhuman AI! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter 🙂

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PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION

"Does creating content on LinkedIn actually help with the job search?"

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.

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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