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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #173 of Jobseeking is Hard!

Today's issue is brought to you by The Rundown AI! 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!

A lot of jobseekers know they should be more targeted in their search. They’ve heard the advice and read the posts. “Focus your search.” “Narrow your scope.” “Apply where you’re a strong fit.”

That sounds great in theory. It sounds a lot less reasonable when rent is due, savings are shrinking, and the pressure is building by the day.

When money feels urgent, the instinct is to widen the net. More titles. More industries. Lower-level roles. More applications. If applying works, then applying more must work better, right? It feels proactive. It feels safer. It feels like you’re increasing your odds.

But in this market, that instinct often backfires. It creates activity without traction.

This week, I want to talk about why applying to fewer jobs can actually get you hired faster, and why the most valuable resource in your job search isn’t motivation or optimism...it’s time.

I’ll also share how a Comprehensive Resume Review client who felt stuck and underemployed finally gained confidence!

This week we’re talking about:

• Why applying to fewer jobs can get you hired faster

• The difference between a capable resume and a clear one

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

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Debunking a viral take on how to answer salary expectation questions.

• Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about narrowing your job search without missing opportunities. I’ll explain how to know when you’re being strategic versus wasting time.

Let’s get to it!

LESS IS MORE

Applying to fewer jobs feels counterintuitive when you’re under pressure. If you need something to change quickly, your brain defaults to volume. More applications feel like more opportunities. More chances for something to stick. Every submitted resume is one more potential “yes.”

The problem is that the cost of applying isn’t “free.”

It takes time to read a job description carefully and decide whether you’re genuinely aligned with it. It takes time to adjust your resume in a way that actually sharpens the match instead of just swapping words. It takes time to write a cover letter that adds context instead of repeating what’s already on the page. It takes time to follow up thoughtfully on LinkedIn or identify someone who can vouch for you.

That time is your most limited resource.

When you apply broadly, you don’t eliminate that time requirement. You just thin it out across more roles. The result is surface-level tailoring, rushed submissions, and little to no follow-up. It feels productive because the application count goes up. But the return on that time spent often doesn’t produce much.

An efficient search reallocates time instead of increasing the number of applications.

That means applying to roles where the alignment is clear and strong. Not “close enough.” Not aspirational. If you have to convince yourself you’re qualified, a recruiter will have to work even harder to do the same. In a high-volume market, they usually won’t. Now isn’t the time to shoot your shot. Your time is better spent where your background already makes sense.

That means slowing down before you click apply. Skip Easy Apply. Go directly to the company website. Confirm the job is still open. Make sure the description matches what you saw on the job board. Check whether the role is actually remote or if it’s hybrid and location-specific. Confirm the level and scope haven’t shifted. Why? You don’t want to tweak a resume for a job that was closed 2 months ago. It’s frustrating when you realize how many postings are outdated or different from what’s posted on job boards. But spending 5 extra minutes verifying a role is real and aligned is better than spending 30-60 minutes tailoring your resume and approach for a job that isn’t active.

Once you’ve confirmed alignment, that’s where depth matters. Spend the time clarifying your positioning. Move the most relevant experience to the front. Make sure the scope matches the level being hired. If you have something meaningful to add, write a cover letter that explains context, not one that restates your resume. Then follow up. Connect with someone on the team. Reach out to a recruiter tied to that role. Look for second-degree connections who could introduce you.

10 applications built this way will outperform 50 rushed submissions. The instinct to apply everywhere is understandable. It feels like control. But this market doesn’t reward effort alone. It rewards alignment. It rewards clarity. It rewards resumes that point in one direction instead of 5.

You don’t need more applications. You need clearer alignment.

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 you’ll be grateful like this client 🤷‍♂️

So how did I help this Comprehensive Resume Review client gain confidence?

Clarity.

They came to me feeling underemployed and stuck. Their background was strong, with important responsibilities and measurable impact. The kind of experience that should be landing interviews. But it wasn’t.

They were applying. They were trying. The response just wasn’t there. They were beyond frustrated.

Their issue wasn’t about their qualifications...it was about the positioning of those qualifications.

The resume read like a capable generalist. Broad scope. Multiple roles. Solid experience presented all at once, which meant the reader had to decide what mattered most. Recruiters scan quickly, asking, "Does this background clearly match the role we’re hiring for?”

How can you highlight that? By narrowing the focus. Tighten your summary to reflect the direction you're pursuing rather than recap everything you’ve done. Reorganize your experience to lead with what aligns most clearly with the target roles within each job. Pull the impact forward so it’s immediately obvious, instead of burying it in dense bullets. Remove generic phrasing and add context around the scope.

That clarity builds confidence. When your resume clearly supports the direction you’re applying toward, you stop second-guessing every submission. You stop widening your search out of anxiety. You start applying with intention.

If your experience is solid but your resume isn’t converting into interviews, especially if you’re underemployed or coming off a tough stretch, it’s usually a focus problem.

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!

Please don’t apply if you need employment.

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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PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION

“I keep hearing that I should narrow my search, but that makes me nervous. What if I miss something? What if the ‘close enough’ roles are actually my way in somewhere? I don’t want to waste time, but I also don’t want to be too picky. How do you know the difference? How do I know I'm not skipping jobs I should be applying for? How do I know if I'm wasting my time?"

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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