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- #145 - Short Stints, Big Value
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #145 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 hearing "no" before you even asked
Reframing your resume on impact when you've had short tenures
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And a scam involving a fake Slack workspace
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking email address red flags
Giving you tips on how to structure stronger interview answers
Telling you why most cover letter openings fall flat
Answering a Premium subscriber's question about where to apply. I'll explain which is more reliable, the company website or LinkedIn, and why.
Let’s get to it! But first…
RESUME TIPS!
Here’s a blog post from last week with some of my top resume tips!
8 Ways to Improve Your Resume - If your resume feels like it should be working but isn’t getting interviews…the problem might be how you’re framing your value.
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
"If I called your mother right now, what would they say is your most annoying habit?"
That I give her number out to strangers that bother her with pointless questions.
“If you were a shoe, what would you be and why?”
“A walking shoe,” and then get up and leave.
For a retail management job I was just asked “Would you rather only be able to eat mayonnaise, or sweat mayonnaise, and why?”
Could be worse…it could be Miracle Whip.
Now I’m curious…
Would you rather only be able to eat mayonnaise, or sweat mayonnaise, and why? |
Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected]
SPEAKING OF POLLS
Last issue, I asked you, “Would you rather wear a wedding dress/tuxedo every single day or a bathing suit every single day?”
~58% of you want that wedding dress/tux!
Some of the best responses:
"Bathing suit - really that's just underwear, so easy enough to cover up. AND I'm always ready to swim!!"
“Mainly because if this is going to be the office dress code I do NOT want to see anyone else in a bathing suit.”
"Have you ever tried going to the bathroom in a one-piece while doing the wiggle dance in a public restroom? It's a full-body workout and I don't have time for that! Besides, where I live I would freeze to death so I will stick with a long-sleeved dress and the built-in insulation. I like my arms warm and my dignity intact! I'll probably spill my coffee on it first thing that morning too."
But my favorite was:
“I live in Florida and work from home. I might be wearing a swimsuit at my desk right now ;)"
Made me think of this 😅
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
More than once, I've been rejected for a job I never applied for. Like, thanks for pre-emptively rejecting me, I guess?
I'm sure that did wonders for the ol' self-esteem 😅
"Did you know we were hiring? No? GOOD WE DON'T WANT YOU ANYWAY DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!"
Reminds me of the time Amazon rejected applicants IN THE JOB POSTING:
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 go from "I'd like to earn upwards of $100K" to "I just accepted a new position with a base salary of $110K" like this client 🤷♂️
So how did I help this Premium Edit Bundle client go from doubting their resume to landing their ideal job in under 3 months?
Shifting the focus to value.
Their confidence was shot. They had multiple jobs in a short time, a few abrupt departures, and a resume that undersold the complexity and scope of what they were actually doing. Their biggest fear was that hiring managers would take one glance at their timeline and pass, regardless of their actual skill and experience.
Remember: Good companies don't care how long you stayed if you're clearly driving results. So we built a resume that focused on value: budgets, scopes, project complexity, team leadership, etc.
If you're in the same boat, with short tenures, multiple employers, or worried your path looks bumpy, focus the reader's attention where it belongs...the impact you made.
Start each bullet with what you owned and what changed because of it. Don't just say you "managed" or "coordinated"…say how you managed and what you coordinated. Explain how your work improved a process, reduced delays, cut costs, or increased efficiency. Be specific. List the project size. Mention the scope. Quantify when you can.
You can't change your work history, but you can provide a clear narrative that says, "Here's what I do well, and here's how it applies to the roles I want."
That clarity builds confidence.
If your your resume isn’t doing that, 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!
sounds like it's trying to hypnotize you 😅 "You are getting very sleepy....and okay with being exploited."
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 Morning BrewI! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter 🙂
Business news as it should be.
Join 4M+ professionals who start their day with Morning Brew—the free newsletter that makes business news quick, clear, and actually enjoyable.
Each morning, it breaks down the biggest stories in business, tech, and finance with a touch of wit to keep things smart and interesting.
JOB SCAMS!
I recently came across a LinkedIn post that described a scam I hadn’t seen before, and it’s a reminder to stay alert during the job search...even after you think you’ve landed a role.
Someone landed what seemed like a legit, well-paying freelance role as a technical manager. They were contacted by a recruiter, interviewed with a hiring manager, and got a job offer. All seemed normal…until they were invited to the company’s Slack workspace.
At first glance, the Slack space looked real, with team channels, status updates, and normal-looking conversations. But something felt off. The replies were too fast. The messages were written in perfect, almost robotic, grammar. And eventually, it became clear the whole thing was fake...likely AI-generated conversations designed to pass as team chatter.
The goal? To get the new hire to download a “codebase” onto their local machine, which would have installed malware aimed at stealing crypto keys.
Thankfully, this person caught on in time. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Trust your instincts.
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.
“Is it better to apply through LinkedIn or directly on the company website? I've heard mixed things. Does one give you a better shot? I assume LinkedIn is better since you have direct access to the person posting the job, and they can easily just go to your profile, right? Thanks for all that you do!!”
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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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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