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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #160 of Jobseeking is Hard!

Today's issue is brought to you by EverQuote! 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. 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 an interviewer diagnosing you mid-interview

• Making your resume show your level, not just your history

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

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Debunking a claim about the “hidden job market”

• Answering a Premium subscriber's question about who to follow up with after applying. I’ll explain how to reach the right people, and when.

One thing before we get started…

Quartz interviewed me about what I’m seeing every day with resumes…and how AI tools are making things worse for jobseekers.

You may or may not remember, but I actually devoted an entire newsletter issue to this in issue #137 - AI for Jobseekers, breaking down the hype vs the help.

For more on how AI is hurting your chances of getting hired, check out this Quartz article: AI was supposed to fix the job search. It's breaking it instead.

Hope you find it helpful 🫡

STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

"How do you like your eggs in the morning?"

I’m not sure why, but this feels like something HR would want to know about.

“Would you ever punch your boss?”

Don’t threaten me with a good time!

“Would you rather always hit a red light for the rest of your life or always get slow internet after the sun goes down?”

"These types of questions reveal how a person's mind works!"

Now I’m curious…

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

SPEAKING OF POLLS

Last issue, I asked you (for scientific purposes), “Would you rather fight a dozen 5-year-olds or five 12-year-olds?” More than 70% of you said bring on the 5-year-olds!

Some of the best responses:

But my favorite was:

I really hope this person is a teacher or something.

COMMUNITY CATHARSIS

I once resigned from a position because I contracted a severe case of Shingles. I was in a lot of pain, I couldn't learn the role, I showed up late, etc. I thought it best to leave before I was let go.

Some months later, I was interviewing for a position and was asked why I left the above role. I explained the Shingles situation. The interview told me they had a hard time believing me because they, too, had experienced Shingles and they got over it in less than 2 weeks.

I wanted to point out that they probably had a Herpes flare-up, and not Shingles, but I continued being an adult and said nothing.

I also withdrew from the interview process. Because, nope. These are the types of people who will demand to see proof on Monday morning if you were to die over the weekend.

That interviewer told you a lot about their mindset in one sentence. If an interviewer shows you who they are that early, believe them. This was a preview of the culture, and it wasn’t going to get better.

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 land a higher title and better compensation like this client 🤷‍♂️

So how did I help this Comprehensive Resume Review client finally start hearing back from companies that aligned with the roles they wanted?

By making sure their resume actually showed their level.

A lot of people aiming for senior roles already have the background, but the resume doesn't communicate it clearly or quickly enough for a recruiter to understand. Senior hiring teams want to see leadership, execution, and growth, and they need it to be obvious right away.

Hiring managers take you as seriously as you present yourself. That begins with a focused summary that introduces how you operate and what you're known for as it relates to your goal.

You get to control your narrative and explain what in your background is relevant and valuable. You get to craft that throughline, showing intention towards your goal...not rehash the details of your entire career.

The resume should list your most relevant experience at the top of every job. That means leading with both the responsibilities and accomplishments that reflect the level you're targeting. They should be presented front and center throughout all of your jobs, regardless of how much they mattered to your previous job responsibilities. It's not about what was essential to your past jobs...it's about what's important to the jobs you're applying for. A clearer order makes your value much easier to recognize.

Hiring teams also look for context. They want to know how you led people, supported scale, and solved problems (both internal-facing and deliverable-based). That takes more than listing tasks. You need to explain how you approached the work, how you collaborated, what changes resulted from your efforts, and how you improved things for the business. When that context is missing, your experience reads flatter than it really is.

Clarity matters, too. Long paragraphs, vague statements, or bullets that all sound the same make it harder for someone to see your momentum and readiness for a bigger role.

A resume that's structured cleanly, written tightly, and centered on impact is simply easier for recruiters to say yes to.

Once this client reframed their experience with clarity and relevance in mind, companies finally started seeing them at the level they were targeting.

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 the AI scheduling assistant Skej! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter 🙂

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PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION

"Adam, when you apply for a job online, who are you actually supposed to follow up with? Should you message the recruiter, try to find the hiring manager, reach out to someone else on the team, or look for mutual connections? I don't want to annoy anyone, but I don't want to disappear into the ATS void either."

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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