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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #164 of Jobseeking is Hard!

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As we head into January, I wanted to pull something together that’s a little more practical.

Every week in Jobseeking Is Hard, the Shameless Plug section breaks down real resume and LinkedIn strategies I use with clients at Karpiak Consulting. Not theories. Not generic advice. Actual changes that helped people land interviews, get offers, escape burnout, or reposition themselves for what they wanted next.

So for this issue, I’m recapping the 5 most popular resume tips of the year…the ones readers read and shared the most.

If you’re starting a fresh search in the new year, these 5 strategies are a smart place to start.

Quick heads up for Premium subscribers!

One of the perks of a Jobseeking Is Hard Premium subscription is access to occasional Premium-only discount codes for Karpiak Consulting’s career services. To close out the year, we’re offering $50 off any review service or $100 off any edit service for Premium subscribers! You’ll find your exclusive promo codes in the Premium section below, and it’s valid through 12/24.

This week we’re talking about:

• Why clarity and positioning still win on a resume

• How to show impact without relying on metrics

• Why alignment and framing change interview outcomes

• How presentation and focus make expertise easier to see

• How to demonstrate the value you actually add on LinkedIn

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about tailoring a resume without rewriting it. I’ll explain how to adjust emphasis instead of starting over.

Let’s get to it!

#5 - Clarity and Positioning Still Win (Issue 131)

This Shameless Plug came from a Resume Edit client who went from being laid off to landing a new role in just 2 weeks.

The experience was there. The problem was how it was framed. The resume relied on dense phrasing, vague responsibilities, and a structure that made it harder for hiring managers to quickly understand fit. It read like a recap of past work instead of a document designed to position the candidate for the roles they actually wanted next.

When a resume lists what you did without explaining how you did it or why it mattered, it leaves too much work for the reader. And hiring teams don’t have time to guess whether someone can step into the role they’re trying to fill.

The fix was clarity and positioning. The summary was tightened to focus less on career history and more on forward-looking value. Generic language in the experience section was replaced with outcome-focused phrasing that clearly showed how skills were used and what impact they had.

Once the resume stopped describing work and started demonstrating it, the difference was immediate.

Clarity and positioning still move people forward.

#4 - Impact Doesn’t Always Need Numbers (Issue 137)

This Shameless Plug came from a Comprehensive Resume Review client who kept getting stuck on the same advice: “You need more metrics.”

The issue was that their role didn’t naturally produce percentages, dollar figures, or dashboard-style KPIs. Forcing numbers where they didn’t belong was making the resume feel awkward instead of stronger.

Numbers aren’t the goal. Clarity is.

Hiring teams want evidence of success. Sometimes that shows up as metrics. Other times, it shows up as improved processes, smoother workflows, solved problems, or stepping up when something wasn’t working.

The resume shifted from listing tasks to explaining outcomes. What changed because this person was there? What got easier? What improved?

Once the bullets answered those questions, the experience finally read as impactful.

Not all impact fits in a spreadsheet. But all meaningful work has a reason. Your resume should make that reason obvious.

#3 - Alignment and Framing Change Everything (Issue 127)

This Shameless Plug came from a 2X Resume Review & Cover Letter Review client who had applied to a company once and never heard back.

After the first review, the resume and cover letter were rewritten with alignment in mind. The client reapplied, got the interview, and landed the offer.

When they were ready to make another move later, they came back for a second review to refine that positioning even further.

The issue wasn’t qualifications. It was framing.

Originally, the materials leaned on passive phrasing and generic descriptions that listed tasks without clearly showing value. Hiring managers weren’t seeing leadership, impact, or how the experience mapped to the role they were trying to fill.

The fix was alignment and context. The summary was tailored to spotlight the most relevant experience for the role. Bullet points were reorganized to lead with relevant skills and removed anything that didn’t directly support the case.

When the burden of connection was removed from the reader, interviews followed.

Framing matters. The clearer the alignment, the easier the yes.

#2 - Presentation and Focus Make Expertise Visible (Issue 128)

This Shameless Plug came from a Comprehensive Resume Review client with deep, highly technical experience that wasn’t translating into interviews.

The problem wasn’t expertise. It was presentation. The resume relied on long paragraphs, internal jargon, and overly technical explanations that only another specialist would fully appreciate. While that showed knowledge, it didn’t show relevance quickly. And most resumes are reviewed by recruiters first, not subject-matter experts.

A highly technical resume can still miss the mark if it doesn’t guide the reader toward why that experience matters for the specific role. Expertise alone isn’t enough. Relevance has to be obvious, fast.

The fix was presentation and focus. Long bullets were rewritten into concise, skimmable statements. A summary was added to frame value and alignment. Bullet points were reordered based on what hiring teams would care about most. A clear tech stack section helped recruiters visually scan and orient themselves.

Once the resume stopped burying value and started guiding the reader through it, the expertise finally surfaced.

#1 - Demonstrate the Value Add (Issue 133)

This Shameless Plug came from a LinkedIn Profile Review client whose profile was technically complete…but vague, forgettable, and not generating recruiter outreach.

The issue wasn’t experience. It was positioning. The profile relied too heavily on job titles and role descriptions without clearly explaining what the client actually did well or what kind of roles they wanted next.

If recruiters aren’t reaching out on LinkedIn, it’s usually because the profile doesn’t make a compelling case for the value you bring.

The fix was demonstrating the value add. The headline was rewritten to go beyond a job title and instead highlight strengths, direction, and relevance to target roles. The language was chosen based on how recruiters actually search, not how people describe themselves internally. Then the About section was rebuilt to bring everything together. Instead of repeating the resume or stuffing buzzwords, it was treated like a professional snapshot. What this person is good at. What they’ve accomplished. What motivates them. And where they’re headed next.

When a profile clearly shows value, direction, and context, it does more than get views. It drives engagement. Recruiters can quickly understand strengths and fit…and that’s what turns profile views into messages.

If your LinkedIn profile isn’t making your value obvious, that’s why your inbox is quiet. (Well…aside from the scams.)

If there’s one common thread across all 5 of these lessons, it’s this: strong experience doesn’t speak for itself.

Every client featured here already had the background. What changed wasn’t their qualifications…it was how clearly their value, direction, and relevance were communicated. When resumes and profiles stop trying to say everything and start saying the right things, hiring teams respond differently.

Heading into January, that’s the shift worth making. Don’t focus on rewriting for the sake of just trying something new. Focus on positioning. Focus on alignment. Focus on making it easy for someone to understand who you are professionally right now and why you make sense for what they’re hiring for.

Here’s to a cleaner story, a clearer signal, and a much better year ahead.

Today's issue is also brought to you by The Code! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter 🙂

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PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION

“I’m applying to roles that are very similar, sometimes even at the same company. Do I actually need to change my resume each time, or is that overkill?”

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.

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• 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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