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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #146 of Jobseeking is Hard!

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

This week we’re talking about:

• Stupid interview questions

• A jobseeking horror story about being used as free labor in a fake interview

• Why not all bullet points carry equal weight, and how to make sure hiring managers instantly see your value

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

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Sharing a LinkedIn feature that gets you on a company’s radar without applying

• Telling you how to avoid location bias on your resume

• Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about the smartest way to follow up after applying for a job. I’ll explain why picking just one method is a mistake and the exact sequence I'd use to get noticed.

Let’s get to it! But first…

RESUME TIPS!

Here’s a blog I wrote last week: 17 quick fixes to make your resume easier to read, more relevant, and more likely to get interviews!

My Most Bookmarked Resume Advice (And How to Actually Use It) 

STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

“If I were to offer you the job, it’s mandatory that you participate in our monthly book club. Would that be a problem for you?”

Me: Not at all…I’m an avid reader.

Also me:

"Have any of your answers during this interview been a lie?"

Me, to the interviewer: How dare you?

Me, internally:

“Would you rather be a chicken for one day or a cow for one day?”

Me:

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 only be able to eat mayonnaise, or sweat mayonnaise, and why?”

~68% of you said you’d rather have that all-mayo diet!

Some of the best responses:

But my favorite was:

Sliding out of there like:

COMMUNITY CATHARSIS

I went on an "interview" where I attended a pitch meeting for a contract they were trying to get. I was added to their staff list for the meeting attendance.

Let's be clear - I was NOT a staff member, but a candidate who thought I was being interviewed. I didn't get paid to attend their pitch meeting either! They didn't get the contract, and of course, I didn't get the job.

About a year or so later, I got a call from them that they wanted me to have another interview! I guess they were bidding for another contract? Who knows? Needless to say, I passed on THAT "opportunity!”

Did you send them an invoice for your time? I honestly can’t tell what the purpose of that was…padding the headcount to impress the client with the size of their team? Make sure to add "background actor" to your IMDB page.

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 help you better articulate your value as a candidate like this client 🤷‍♂️

So how did I help this Comprehensive Resume Review client realize they were approaching bullet points wrong?

Presentation of relevance.

They had fantastic experience, but it was written like a laundry list…just one line after another, treating every responsibility exactly the same, without any preference toward what specifically mattered for the jobs they were targeting. When you do that, you’re forcing the reader to guess at what’s important, and in a quick scan, they won’t bother.

Not all bullet points carry equal weight, especially when you have a goal. The things that directly connect to that goal need to be front and center, and they need context so the reader understands why they matter.

A bullet that says what you did without explaining how you did it or what impact it had is just filler. A bullet that explains the “how” and the “why” gives the hiring manager a reason to say “yes.”

Resume structure has to reflect that priority. If every bullet is formatted and positioned the same, the points that could get you hired are buried in the noise. You have to draw the reader’s eye to the right details…the ones that align with the role, show clear impact, and make you look like the obvious choice. That’s what hiring managers want. They want to see value, relevance, and impact, and they want to see it fast.

And now that this client is in a hiring manager role himself, they’re looking for the same things when reviewing resumes. They know firsthand how quickly a great candidate can be overlooked when their most relevant accomplishments aren’t front-loaded or explained in a way that makes their value obvious.

If your resume treats every detail as if it’s equally important, you’re wasting your time.

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!

😒

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 🙂

News you’re not getting—until now.

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.

Check it out

PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION

“I was reading the newsletter today (specifically the section about cover letters) and it prompted a question:

What do you think is most effective in following up on a job application submitted on a company’s website, where you can easily identify the hiring manager/person you’d report to?

1. Email?

2. LinkedIn message?

3. Connection request, with a brief intro but not referencing that I’ve applied to the role?”

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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