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- #152 - Resume Flow With Intention
#152 - Resume Flow With Intention
When your resume tells the story you want...
Adam Karpiak
September 24, 2025
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #152 of Jobseeking is Hard!
Today's issue is brought to you by I Hate It Here! If you're a free subscriber and value our content, show our sponsor some love for supporting Jobseeking is Hard! Give it a click! Thanks!
This week we’re talking about:
Stupid interview questions
A jobseeking horror story about a recruiter who vanished mid-scheduling
Making your resume flow with consulting work or career breaks
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And a scam involving fake recruiters using fine print to look legit
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking the notion that candidates owe employers loyalty
Giving you tips on how to follow up with a recruiter after applying
Telling you why you should always save job descriptions before you apply
Answering a Premium subscriber's question about growing a network on LinkedIn. I’ll explain how to start conversations that lead to real connections.
Let’s get to it! But first…
A quick welcome to all the new Premium subscribers who joined during last week’s sale! Glad to have you here!
One of the perks of the Premium newsletter subscription is access to exclusive coupon codes for Karpiak Consulting services! And as a special thank-you to all our new Premium subscribers, we’re offering 2 exclusive coupon codes: $50 off any Review service (excluding the Mini Review) and $100 off any Edit service!
You’ll find the codes below in the Premium section.
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JOB SEARCH ADVICE STRAIGHT FROM RECRUITERS & HIRING MANAGERS
I asked recruiters and hiring managers one simple question: “What do jobseekers need to know right now?”
Their answers could change how you apply, interview, and follow up.
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
“If you were a wrestler, what would your theme song be?”
This one’s easy:
"If you could shoot something out of your fingers, what would it be and which finger?"
"Would you rather wake up in Freaky Friday or Groundhog Day?"
I mean…
Now I’m curious…
Would you rather wake up in Freaky Friday or Groundhog Day? |
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 yogurt or only be able to eat peanut butter?” ~55% of you chose PB!
Some of the best responses:
“My bestie and I have an obsession with PB (and chocolate, of course). PB/Reeces Klondikes, PB Pancakes, even PB whiskey sometimes…I mean yogurt just doesn’t stand a chance. lol 😹 ”
"In an interview years ago, the interviewer asked me, 'Describe to me how you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,' to which I replied. 'Peanut butter on each piece of bread, then the jam.' I asked why and he said, 'No reason. I always ask during my interviews.' (MIND EXPLOSION)"
“At least my guts get good bacteria.”
But my favorite was:
“I hate peanuts. But, if by any chance I was allergic to them, I’d take the peanut butter right away so I could escape the company under a long sick leave due to an anaphylactic shock.”
You’re playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers…
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
My goodness, man...I have yet another shining example of corporate accountability, courtesy of a "Director of Recruitment," if you need another shining example of ridiculousness.
Short story: They emailed me back to schedule a phone interview, but there was no hyperlink to schedule the call. I emailed back the same day. Nothing.
Then I received a connection request on LinkedIn. Accepted it. Emailed back the next day as well. Nothing back.
I waited several days over the weekend and then messaged directly on LinkedIn. I explained why I was using LinkedIn, basically saying, "Hope it's not fraud, so messaging here." No response for several days.
Emailed back last night saying I appreciate the introduction to the company's accountability and culture, and I'll respectfully withdraw any application now.
Responded to me first thing this morning, thanking me for letting her know, and wishes me the best. Sent an immediate response to her not having to "deal with it," even though she reached out to me for an interview first, AND requested a connection.
INSANE, MAN! I just had to pass along that nugget: this market is crazy, and these do-nothings make it that much harder. 😅
Chaos. Pure chaos.
At least you found out what they were like before you started, and not after…
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 you’ll find a “dream job” like this client 🤷♂️
So what advice did I give this Premium Resume Review client to help them land an interview?
Your resume needs to flow, even if you have consulting roles or a multi-year break.
This client came in with a common situation: "How do I make my resume flow when I've done consulting work and also stepped out of the workforce for several years to raise my kids?"
The key was reframing.
Don't just list all of your experience, hoping the recruiter sees the value. If your resume just reads like a chronological list of job descriptions, the gaps stand out. The consulting stands out. You want the skills and the value to stand out, not the red flags.
How can you do that? Focus on intention.
Everything in your career should look like it has a purpose. Your jobs didn't just "happen" to you. Each role, each consulting project, and even time away from the workforce should connect to the bigger story of what you bring to an employer today. Let the skills you built and the value of your overall skill set tell that larger story.
Control your narrative by highlighting the skills that matter most to the jobs you're applying for. The summary, accomplishments, and bullet points should all center around that narrative, not your overall experience.
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!
nice
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!
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JOB SCAMS!
We've all seen the same old scam in LinkedIn comments...some "recruiter" drops what looks like a company email, but it's really just a Gmail address like [email protected], hoping you'll send your resume and personal info.
Now there's a new variation on this, and a jobseeker sent it to me so I could warn others.
Someone pretended to work for a reputable company and actually sent out an email. At first glance it looked legit, with a company logo and signature block...even a link to the real company website.
BUT, at the bottom of the email, they added this little gem:
"Please note: To manage high applicant volume, we use an external mailbox (e.g., @gmail.com, etc.) for faster candidate communication and smoother coordination…"
Wild. They're basically saying, "Ignore the fact that we're asking you to email a Gmail account instead of the company domain, that's totally normal!! Trust us!!!"
Instead of hiding the red flag (a fake email), they're trying to explain it.
For the 1,000th time: A real recruiter at a real company will never use Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc. for hiring communication. They just won't. No reasoning. No excuses. Never.
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 know I should be networking more on LinkedIn, but I feel awkward reaching out to strangers. What’s the best way to start building connections without coming off as desperate or pushy?”
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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