- Jobseeking is Hard
- Posts
- #154 - Results Aren’t Enough
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Hey There!
Welcome to Issue #154 of Jobseeking is Hard!
Today's issue is brought to you by 1440 Media! If you're a free subscriber and value our content, it costs $0 to support us by taking .0005 seconds to click the ad and check out the service. Seriously…all you need to do is click it. You don’t even have to subscribe or buy anything…just clicking helps support us. Easy peasy. Show our sponsor some love for supporting Jobseeking is Hard! Thanks!
This week we’re talking about:
Stupid interview questions
A jobseeking horror story about HR saying the quiet part out loud
Why qualified people don’t get interviews
The best (worst?) job posting of the week
And for Premium subscribers I’m:
Debunking the “secret prompt” resume hack
Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about looking “overemployed.” I’ll explain how to handle part-time and self-employment on your resume without triggering unfair biases.
Let’s get to it!
But first, a quick note:
I want to answer your questions! If you’re a free subscriber, here’s your chance to jump in. In an upcoming issue, I’m putting together another mailbag where I’ll answer your questions about resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, recruiters, networking, interviews, and everything in between.
You can reply directly to this issue or email [email protected] for a chance to have your question featured!
CAREER ADVICE ROUNDUP
Here’s a roundup of all the job search advice I’ve shared across social media over the last few months, organized by theme. Hope you find it helpful!
STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
“What number am I thinking of between 1 and 100?”
"What did you do to prepare for this interview?"
Oh, you know, the usual:
“Would you rather bathe in dishwater or wash dishes in your bathwater?”
My response:
Now I’m curious…
Would you rather bathe in dishwater or wash dishes in your bathwater? |
Want to share your stupid interview questions? Reply or email [email protected]
SPEAKING OF POLLS
Last issue, I asked you, “Would you rather be caught singing in the shower or dancing in front of the mirror?” More than 52% of you want to keep your shower time private.
Some of the best responses:
"If you're walking in on me in the bathroom, you get what you get."
“No one at work needs to see this wet and naked."
“Nobody wants to see my naked a** singing horribly to Kpop Demon Hunters' Golden. 😂😂”
But my favorite was:
“Singing in the shower is better than the normal thing for the shower - crying.”
I immediately thought of this:
COMMUNITY CATHARSIS
My husband applied to 2 similar roles at a company where I was working. He was qualified and perfect for both roles, yet he got no reply.
After 6 weeks, I wrote an email to HR asking if the no-reply was a standard procedure or if it was just for the family of insiders, letting them guess the role was filled when they were presented with their new colleagues. I stated that in both cases, it made both HR and the company look bad.
I was quickly summoned by the HR representative in charge of the role, who explained that my husband was not qualified because he lacked the licences (he didn't) and the experience in pharma (he didn't either). I told her he had both, and that we had specifically highlighted those in the motivation letter, to which she replied, "Yeah, no, we don't read those."
I wasn't surprised when she was let go that same year.
You, in your meeting with HR:
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 land a great new role and a healthy pay increase like this client 🤷♂️
So how did I help this Comprehensive Review Review client escape a toxic work environment?
Context.
I recently worked with a client who had a strong track record on paper. Growth, cost savings, profit improvement, you name it. The problem wasn’t the results. It was the presentation.
Every bullet read like an outcome, but there wasn’t enough context to make those results mean anything. “Increased margins by 1%” sounds great, until you realize the reader doesn’t know how, why, or what that says about your skills. Without the full picture of scope, challenge, and process, the wins just...exist.
This is where most people go wrong. Hiring managers aren’t just scanning for outcomes...they’re looking for relevance. They want to see that you’ve solved the kinds of problems they have, in a way that makes sense for their business. That means building the bridge between what you did and why it matters to them.
Most people either oversell with buzzwords or undersell with data dumps. The trick is threading the line...giving enough context to make your results feel real without turning your resume into a novel.
If your resume only covers what you did or why it mattered, it doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s like completing a math problem on an exam...you might get the correct answer, but the teacher wants to see your work to understand what you actually know. That’s how you not only show your value but also prove your relevance.
It’s often why people who are highly qualified don’t even get an interview.
If you’re not sure whether your resume strikes that balance, 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 job market is wild
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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“I have two part-time jobs. They are two different roles, and the tasks I do at each are relevant to the roles I’m looking for. Should I note that these are part-time in my resume? I don’t know if I’m being passed over because it looks like I have two jobs that could be full-time (if I were only lucky enough), and they think I’m “over-employed,” working two jobs during the same 40 hours a week?
Some additional details if it matters: One job is a family business and I spend about 20-30 hours a week working on that. The other is self-employment and I spend about 20 hours a week on that. They don’t overlap, but my job search has been so ineffective that I’ve been wondering if hiring managers are assuming they do.”
Check out the Premium Section below for my answer! Not a Premium Subscriber? Upgrade here: www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade
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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.
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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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