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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #168 of Jobseeking is Hard!

Today's issue is brought to you by Flow! If you're a free subscriber and value our content, it costs $0 to support us by clicking the ad and checking out the service. Show our sponsor some love for supporting Jobseeking is Hard! Thanks!

Happy Wednesday!

I hope your 2026 is off to a good start! And if you read last week’s issue on resetting your job search, I hope it helped you clean a few things up and feel bette prepared heading into the year.

This week, I want to talk about something I get asked all the time:

“Adam, what resume template do you recommend?”

I get why that question comes up. Jobseeking is exhausting, and the idea that the right layout might quietly fix everything is incredibly tempting.

We’ve all seen the viral posts:

“This resume template got me a $1.8T raise at GOOGLEAPPLEAMAZONNETFLIXMETAI!! Comment ‘banana’ and I’ll send it to you!”

If there were a single template that worked for everyone, this whole process would be a lot easier. Unfortunately, that is not how hiring actually works. And understanding why will save you a lot of time, frustration, and unnecessary resume rewrites. It might also save you some money if you are thinking about buying a template.

I’ll also tell you how a Comprehensive Resume Review client landed a 25% salary increase (and why it had nothing to do with a magic template).

This week we’re talking about:

• Why resume templates aren’t the answer

• How prioritization helps focus your resume

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

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Debunking a confident-sounding ATS claim that isn’t real

• Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about whether their networking is actually working. I’ll explain how to tell the difference between momentum and busywork.

Let’s get to it!

RESUME TEMPLATES AREN’T A CURE-ALL

There isn’t a resume template I universally recommend.

That answer usually disappoints people, but it’s the most honest one I can give.

The right resume structure depends on your industry, your level of experience, and the roles you’re targeting. It also depends on how hiring managers in your field actually evaluate candidates. A template that works for a mid-level marketer can actively hurt a senior finance leader.

Templates aren’t a strategy, and they’re definitely not a shortcut. They’re containers…just vessels for information. When you plug your experience into a generic template, even a well-designed one, your resume might look cleaner or more polished. But polish doesn’t equal performance. A good-looking resume can still be unclear, unfocused, or misaligned with what hiring managers are actually scanning for.

Many templates also introduce problems people don’t realize they’re creating. Some rely heavily on columns, icons, graphics, or unusual spacing that break when parsed by ATS. Others bury critical information halfway down the page because the design prioritizes symmetry over relevance.

Recruiters don’t read resumes line by line. They scan quickly for fit and value. If the right information isn’t obvious almost immediately, they move on. What matters most isn’t the template. It’s the thought process behind what you include, what you lead with, and how you structure your experience to answer the recruiter’s real questions.

A strong resume is built around evaluation criteria, not aesthetics. Hiring managers are trying to determine whether you’ve done similar work, at a similar level, with comparable scope and impact. Your resume needs to make those connections obvious. Templates can’t decide which experience matters most for the role. They can’t determine whether leadership should come first or whether technical depth should lead. They can’t adjust emphasis based on seniority, industry norms, or how competitive a role is. That judgment is where resumes succeed or fail.

This is also why template success stories are misleading. You only see the outcome, not the context. You don’t know how aligned that person already was for the role, what their background looked like, or whether they would’ve been hired regardless of the layout they used. The template didn’t get them hired. Fit did.

(And yes, this is why Karpiak Consulting doesn’t sell resume templates.)

Shape your resume around your goals. Don’t force your story into someone else’s layout. Make it easy for the right hiring manager to understand your value quickly and say yes. No template alone can do that part for you.

Have a topic you want me to cover in an upcoming issue? Reply or email [email protected] and tell me what you want to know!

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 25% salary increase like this client 🤷‍♂️

So how did I help this Comprehensive Resume Review client land a new job?

Prioritization.

They came in targeting VP- and C-suite-level roles, with some flexibility around titles but clear goals for scope and impact.

The resume wasn’t broken because of formatting or design. It just wasn’t aligned to how those roles are actually evaluated.

The review explained what needed to change, why it mattered, and how to fix it based on their specific goals. Not everyone needs to fix the same things. What matters on a resume depends on the role you’re targeting and how success is evaluated at that level. Think about positioning, prioritization, and structure so the resume speaks to the role you want next, not just what you’ve done in the past. Use that target job as your North Star as you decide what to emphasize in your 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!

absolutely not

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 Deel! 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 networking, updating LinkedIn, and applying consistently, but it still feels like nothing is converting. How do I know if I’m networking the right way or just staying busy?”

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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