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Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #176 of Jobseeking is Hard!

Today's issue is brought to you by HubSpot! 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!

Getting laid off is hard enough. So when an employer offers outplacement services to “help” you through the transition, it sounds reassuring. Support. Guidance. A sense that you’re not navigating this alone.

But over the past month, I’ve heard from several people who were involuntarily separated and given outplacement as part of their exit package. On paper, it looked like a benefit. In reality, much of the advice they were getting felt outdated, generic, and disconnected from how hiring actually works right now.

That’s what I want to talk about this week.

This issue is for anyone who’s been laid off and assumed the support they were given would meaningfully improve their job search. Because when time and momentum matter most, following the wrong guidance can quietly set you back.

I’ll also share how a Premium Edit Bundle client who struggled to confidently articulate their value repositioned their experience in a way that made their impact unmistakable.

This week we’re talking about:

• Why some outplacement advice does more harm than good

• Why confidently stating your impact isn’t bragging

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

And for Premium subscribers I’m:

• Debunking a LinkedIn post about a recruiter's POV on networking messages

• Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about being seen as “overqualified.” I’ll explain why broad experience can reduce interest, and how alignment changes how hiring teams interpret your background.

Let’s get to it!

WHEN “SUPPORT” ISN’T ACTUALLY HELPING

Outplacement services are usually presented as a benefit. A sign that your employer cares about your transition. A structured way to help you land on your feet faster. On the surface, it sounds like an advantage.

Over the past month, I’ve spoken with several people who were involuntarily separated and offered outplacement support. Each of them started the process assuming it would give them a clearer path forward. Each of them also reached a point where they felt more confused, not less.

The core issue wasn’t effort. These individuals were engaged. They were attending sessions, completing exercises, revising resumes, and following the guidance they were given. The problem was that much of the advice didn’t reflect how hiring decisions are actually made in this market.

And here’s what makes that especially difficult: most jobseekers have no reason to know that.

If you’ve just been laid off, you’re dealing with financial pressure, emotional stress, and a sudden need to take action. When your employer provides a service labeled as “career transition support,” it feels logical to trust it. You assume the people advising you are deeply connected to current recruiting practices. You assume the resume frameworks, networking strategies, and job search tactics are grounded in what hiring teams are actually doing right now.

That assumption isn’t usually accurate.

In one recent case, the outplacement provider wasn’t even a firm that specialized in outplacement. They were primarily an HR consulting organization focused on internal organizational strategy and development. Outplacement was just one of several services listed. The coach assigned had a long and accomplished career, but most of it had been spent in a very niche industry and at a strategic HR level. They hadn’t been hands-on in recruiting or hiring in many years. They were confident and well-intentioned, but the advice they were giving didn’t align with how resumes are screened or how candidates are evaluated in today’s hiring environment. The person receiving that guidance had no reason to question it. Why would they? They’d been told this was expert help.

I’ve seen similar issues with large, national outplacement firms as well. Size and brand recognition don’t automatically translate into relevance. I’ve reviewed resumes and cover letters prepared by major providers that were visually polished but clearly built from outdated assumptions about what recruiters prioritize. In one case, a candidate sent me a resume where the LinkedIn hyperlink didn’t even lead to their profile…it routed to the outplacement firm’s website. That’s not just a formatting mistake. It’s a sign that the process had become templated and disconnected from the realities of an individual’s job search.

The real risk is that jobseekers often don’t recognize the disconnect until weeks or months have passed without traction. They follow the process they’ve been given. They invest time and energy in strategies that feel productive. They assume the lack of response is a reflection of the market, their background, or bad luck. Meanwhile, their search may be misaligned in ways they can’t see.

Time matters more than ever in a job search. The longer you’re out of work, the more pressure builds. The more pressure builds, the harder it becomes to make clear, strategic decisions. That’s why misdirected effort can be so costly. It’s not just frustrating…it can extend the timeline of your transition.

None of this means all outplacement support is inherently bad. Some providers are thoughtful, current, and genuinely helpful. The key is recognizing that you still need to evaluate the guidance you’re receiving.

Before you fully commit to a process, ask a few practical questions. Is the person advising you actively connected to hiring in the roles you’re targeting? Do their recommendations reflect how screening actually happens today, or do they sound like general career development theory? Are they helping you clarify positioning and alignment, or giving you broad exercises that feel detached from real opportunities?
You’re allowed to challenge advice that doesn’t make sense. You’re allowed to seek second opinions. You’re allowed to adjust course if the support you were given isn’t producing traction.

Help is valuable when it moves you forward. If it keeps you busy but not progressing, it’s worth stepping back and reassessing.

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 feel confident enough to finally “toot your own horn” like this client 🤷‍♂️

So what did I do for this Premium Edit Bundle client that led them to recommend my services publicly?

Just state facts.

A lot of experienced professionals, especially those who’ve spent decades building credibility through performance instead of self-promotion, struggle with how directly they should position their impact on a resume. They’re comfortable doing the work. They’re less comfortable stating the scope of that work in a way that feels assertive.

The problem is that hiring teams don’t have access to your reputation, your internal credibility, or the quiet influence you built over time. They only have what you choose to communicate. If your resume reads modest, neutral, or overly generalized, recruiters default to conservative interpretations of your level. Not because they doubt your character…because they lack evidence. Strong resumes don’t exaggerate. They clarify. They translate contribution into outcomes. They state ownership instead of implying it. They describe decisions influenced, scale managed, and problems solved in language that removes guesswork.

This isn’t bragging. It’s education.

Recruiters can’t advocate for you if they don’t understand what you’ve actually done. And no one will advocate for you better than you.

In this case, the experience didn’t change. The framing did. Once the resume communicated impact more directly, the candidate’s confidence followed…because the story finally matched the reality of their career.

Sometimes the most strategic move in a job search isn’t learning something new. It’s learning how to say what you already know you’ve accomplished.

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!

This might be the most obnoxious job application I've seen in a while.

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’ve built a career where I’ve done a lot of different things. I can point to experience in operations, projects, leadership, client work. A bit of everything, really. The downside is I’m not getting traction for any of the roles I apply to. I also keep hearing that I might be coming across as ‘overqualified.’ Why is that such a dirty word? Don’t employers want people who can do more than the job requires? And why does it feel like I’m being told to dumb down my resume just to get considered?”

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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