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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #150 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 getting a signed offer yanked at the last minute

• Making your proof of value stand out on resumes

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

• And my issues with LinkedIn’s new verification rules

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Debunking recruiter scare tactics about job boards

• Giving you tips on how to write bullets that show collaboration without sounding generic

• Telling you why formatting choices (like spacing and font size) influence how long a recruiter actually spends on your resume

• Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about resumes that sound like job descriptions. I’ll explain how to turn duties into proof of concept and craft a career narrative with intention.

Let’s get to it! But first…

RESUME TIPS!

A few days ago I posted this on LinkedIn: 106 actionable tips across 18 blogs I shared this past summer!

Summer's over. Hiring is going to pick up, and while the headlines are miserable and the hiring market is rough, job opportunities are still out there.

Sharpen your resume, messaging, and job search strategy this fall with these tips!

GOOD VIBES

I just wanted to take a second to share this note I received on LinkedIn. So much noise and negativity out there, so I wanted to share a message from someone who finally found a role:

Stories like this are a good reminder that solid, practical advice can still cut through the noise. No gimmicks, no smoke and mirrors. Just clarity, context, and a plan that actually works.

If you’re in the middle of the grind, keep at it. The right role is out there!

STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

"Are you applying to different places?"

Nope, just you. I put all my eggs in this one basket. Sure, I could increase my chances of paying rent and obtaining food to eat by applying elsewhere, but ever since I was a kid I had one dream: maximizing shareholder value for Comcast.

(Companies really expect you to answer like this. Wild.)

“What do you hate about your previous boss?”

I’d love to answer this but it seems our meeting only has 47 minutes left.

“Would you rather wake up in your underwear at work or wake up naked in the woods far away from home?”

Honestly, waking up in my underwear at work might be the best argument for remote work I’ve ever heard.

Now I’m curious…

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

SPEAKING OF POLLS

Back in issue #146, I asked you, “Would you rather be a chicken for one day or a cow for one day?” Looks like 77% of you want to be a cow.

Some of the best responses:

But my favorite was:

COMMUNITY CATHARSIS

I've had a doozy of a week. I was due to start a new role on Sept 1st. Contracts signed, documents uploaded, and details entered into their HR systems; just waiting for my equipment to arrive.

On Monday, I received a phone call from HR informing me that they are withdrawing the role due to a restructure. What a waste of everyone's time and money. I withdrew from 2 other hiring processes to take this role.

This morning I went back to apply for roles on LinkedIn. Thought I would do an "easy apply" role to warm up and ease myself back in. When I saw the salary for this role, I did a double-take. The working hours are 5am-2pm daily, and it is full-time.

I would laugh if I wasn't so fed up.

Thanks for all you do. Your blog makes me feel less alone as I traverse this crazy hellscape.

What. A. Gut. Punch.

Unfortunately, this is the game right now: companies burning candidates’ time and trust while pretending their culture is like a "family."

Hang in there!

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 you’ll end up posting on LinkedIn about how helpful the services were, just like this client 🤷‍♂️

So how did I help this Premium Edit Bundle client find their new role?

Positioning.

Too many resumes bury the best parts of your experience in long job descriptions that treat everything as equally important. The strongest achievements get lost, and LinkedIn often ends up as a copy-paste of the same problem.

The fix is to make sure your proof of value stands out.

Even if a hiring manager is only skimming, the specific project and the outcome should be impossible to miss. It’s not just about numbers. Context is just as powerful as $ saved or % increased. How many people were involved? What size budget? What level of complexity? Paint a picture that makes the impact obvious, not implied.

But outcomes still matter. Why did you do it? What was the objective of your work? Did you lead a rollout that cut delays in half? Build a process that saved money? Drive a change that improved retention? Put the result front and center in each role. It is hard to argue with success when you’ve consistently demonstrated a history of delivering it. Show that you achieved your objective…that’s the definition of “success.”

On LinkedIn, don’t just repeat your resume…use it as a highlight reel that tells the clearest version of your story for the role you want next. That’s how you shift your resume and profile from a task list to a compelling pitch.

If you’re not sure yours is sending that message, 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!

this is not ok

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 1440! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter 🙂

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

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JOB SCAMS!

In case you missed it, last week LinkedIn announced new initiatives focused on combating fraud centered around account verifications. Recruiters, executives, and company pages will now face tighter verification rules...recruiters and high-level titles like VP or Managing Director need to confirm their workplace when updating profiles, and companies that pay for Premium ($100/month) can get a verified badge on their page. The goal is to make it harder for scammers to impersonate hiring managers or fake company reps.

It's a step in the right direction, but here are the big issues to keep in mind:

Only Premium company pages can verify, shutting out smaller businesses, freelancers, and nonprofits. That means credibility is basically for sale, which disadvantages others who may not be able to justify the cost.

Mid-level employees or fake postings outside those titles can still slip through. The program only covers recruiters, executives, and Premium company pages. Scammers can still impersonate mid-level employees, contractors, or create fake postings that don't require those titles. Plus, right now it only applies to new accounts/updated job titles. Existing accounts do not need to verify (yet). It reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it.

Verification only proves identity, not integrity; people can still suck. Scammers don't have to be fake profiles.

By charging for company verification, LinkedIn profits from something that should be a baseline safety feature. Verification badges are nice, but don't let them replace common sense. Always vet job postings, cross-check recruiters, and remember: a checkmark doesn't guarantee trustworthiness.

Stay safe out there!

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.

PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION

“I feel like my resume just reads like job descriptions. I’m listing what I did at each company, but it doesn’t feel unique to me. How do I make it actually sound like my career story instead of something anyone in the role could have written?”

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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