#65 - Standing Out To Recruiters

Getting referred to hiring managers...

Author

Adam Karpiak
January 24, 2024

Hey There!

Welcome to Issue #65 of Jobseeking is Hard!

Congrats to the 20 winners of our recent giveaway! That’s almost 200 3-month LinkedIn Premium trial memberships we’ve given out this year to help you get networking!

And I’ve gotten a lot of emails asking if I’m going to be giving away more. I hope so. I have a few messages into people so hopefully I can snag some more to help your job search.

I’m also brainstorming other kinds of contests, so if anyone has any ideas for giveaways, reply to this issue and let me know what you think would be helpful! And keep an eye out in the newsletter, my LinkedIn, and my Twitter for more announcements!

Introducing a new newsletter section: Job Scams!

I’m always getting emails and DMs from jobseekers about scams that are going around, so I figured I’d share them in the newsletter to help you avoid them!

If you’ve been a victim of a job scam or someone has tried to scam you, send it to [email protected], and I’ll share it with the community.

In this issue, I’m giving you a heads-up about companies requesting credit reports!

And speaking of new sections, I just wanted to mention that I’m blown away by the response to the newsletter’s new Premium section, “Debunking Career Clickbait.” 

I’m currently going through all of the (bad) advice that you’ve been sending me. Sadly there’s so much to pick from. This week, I’m debunking someone’s post that says you should never send a thank you note.

As I told a coaching client this week, the easiest way to stand out online and get those sweet sweet views everyone covets is to have a spicy hot take. Nothing gets the comments section going like controversy, so keep that in mind when you see a piece of advice that hurts your head.

If you see a post or article with questionable advice, send it to [email protected] and I’ll add it to the list to debunk!

Onto the newsletter!

STUPID INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

I was asked, “Are you a ninja or pirate? And why?”

“I’m a Project Manager. Did you even read my cover letter??”

Now I’m curious…

Are you a ninja or a pirate?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

 "Would you happen to know if anyone was hiring in the area for my job?”

Like I always say: Always. Be. Networking.

“What's your biggest weakness?”

Just be honest and say, “Carbs.”

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

COMMUNITY CATHARSIS

I was laid off from the company I worked at for 15 years. I started at the company when I was 21, and I had just accepted a new position within that company on March 31st, but wasn’t able to start until the last week of May. Then, I got laid off from that position in August.

I didn’t actively start my job search until October because I was waiting to understand the terms of my severance agreement. One of the jobs I applied for asked me to show up in person for an interview — no problem.

Well, the night before, I had suffered a freak accident and injured my toe. This led to some pain while walking. However, I could still drive the 25 minutes to my interview without a problem. I entered the building and told the receptionist I was there for my interview. The receptionist spoke to one of the folks I was interviewing with and told me I was in the wrong building and needed to walk across the parking lot.

Under normal circumstances this wouldn’t be a big issue but of course I had just fractured my toe the night before and was in pain.

So, I walked across the parking lot and met the person at the door. They tell me their elevator is not working because the Fire Department is working on it, so we have to climb 4 flights of stairs. Now this is just turning into a comedy.

I hurried up the four flights of stairs because of my toe. I reached the top, and now I’m huffing and puffing. They told me there is one person they are waiting on but we can get started. That person ends up showing up during the middle of the hour-long interview. I could tell they had previously dealt with a bad hire because of the questions they were asking me. I walked away from the interview feeling that I did a great job, but not sure I wanted to work with the two people I would be working with since they already had misconceptions about the new hire.

I didn’t hear back from the recruiter FOR 45 DAYS. The recruiter tells me they hired someone else for that job, but budgets have opened, and they want to consider me for another role. I was already in the fourth interview with a company that would offer me a higher base salary and the ability to work from home most days.

Wow, laid off after 15 years. 15! I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what that felt like and how different the job market is from the last time you searched.

And it’s kinda wild that the recruiter ignored their lack of a positive candidate experience and was like, “Hey, want to do it again?” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…poor hiring practices turn off good candidates. Companies like that don’t hire top talent…they just hire who is left.

Considering your situation, I don’t think your job interview could’ve been any more ridiculous. But considering you got a higher salary and a much better working environment, I’d say it worked out in the end for you, so congrats!

If there's a jobseeking horror story *you’d* like to share, reply or email [email protected] 

REMOTE WORK-FROM-ANYWHERE JOBS!

Looking for a fully-remote job that lets you work from anywhere?

FlexJobs just came out with a list of the top companies offering the most remote, work-from-anywhere jobs on their site that meet the following criteria:

✅ A fully remote job with the ability to work from anywhere with zero location restrictions.

✅ It does not require any time in the office and is 100% remote.

I put together a list of the career opportunities for the top 10 companies. It’s rare to find jobs that are both remote AND not limited by location, so this is a great resource to have. Good luck!

SHAMELESS PLUG

Who knows…maybe you'll realize you're minimizing your accomplishments, like this person was 🤷‍♂️

JOB SCAMS!

Hi Adam, I thought I'd share a job scam that tried to suck me in today. Here's the text I got:

Hello XXX Thanks for taking the time to apply for our position. I'd like to inform you that we received your application. We think you are qualified for this opportunity. We are planning to schedule interviews in the next two days. Before setting up an appointment we need to check your credit score. Click here and follow the procedure to check your credit score. Once your credit score is verified send me a picture of the report. Thank you again for taking the time to apply to this role. Compensation: $45Hr - Monthly Bonuses

Then they doubled down with another message:

Looking forward to hearing back from you. Still we have position available. We need this first because this will also check your background and criminal history once you complete send me a picture of the report. We will set a time for an interview in the next two days. Thank you.

Ugh. As if the job market wasn't challenging enough.

Asking for a picture of your credit report?? That’s a great way to have your identity stolen. Please be careful out there!  

If you’ve been a victim of a job scam or someone has tried to scam you, send it to [email protected], and I’ll share it with the community.

SUBSCRIBER QUESTIONS

Hi Adam,

Thank you so, so much for the work you do with this newsletter. It's truly been a beacon in a very harsh world.

Something you wrote in a previous issue really gave me pause. You said:

Oh, and never use "Freelancer." Use "[Type of job/professional] Consultant" or [The job title it should be if it wasn't freelance].

I was gobsmacked by this. Have I compromised possible connections by having "Freelance Copywriter" on my profile? Is it considered bad form, or is there baggage around this word I need to be aware of? I'm hoping to get more freelance clients through LinkedIn, but now I think using the word Freelancer and having the #OpenToWork photo frame will hinder me. What do you think?

Once again, thank you so much, and I hope you're having a start to the new year that's as mellow as possible.

Hey there! Thanks so much for the kind words. So many people are confused about what to do, and with so much conflicting advice, I try to put some information out there that can help. People don't know what they don't know, and it's hard to play a game if you don't know the rules (or why you keep losing).

To answer your question, yes, there are biases against freelancers.

Now, let me preface my explanation: If you're only looking to pick up freelance work, there aren't biases against being a freelancer. The bias occurs when you are applying for a FT W2 role with a company. So, if you're looking for client gigs, don't worry about being a "freelancer."

As for baggage around the word "freelance," the biases that exist are:

1) You're a flight risk. If you get a better-paying and/or longer-term gig, you'll take it. The same can be said for anyone with their own company/side gig while working a FT W2 job. You might leave the company to pursue your own path, owning a company instead of having an employer.

2) You're a distraction risk. If you are working on more than one assignment at once, how much time, attention, and effort can you give each client?

3) How well do you take direction? If you're used to doing your own thing or having your own company, how well would you handle having a boss?

4) If you're so good at what you do, why do you need to find a job? This is the most significant bias out there against freelancers. If you were worth hiring, why hasn't anyone hired you yet? Why do you need to pick up freelance gigs?

The best way to combat the freelance bias (at the recruiter level) and get your foot in the door to interview is to use an LLC or DBA as your employer and give yourself a relevant job title that matches the roles you are pursuing.

Good luck!

**Premium Subscribers! Below I'll tell you what job titles you shouldn't use when listing your LLC/DBA as your employer. I'll also tell you how to frame your freelance experience on your resume to showcase more value to the reader! Oh, and one word that you should avoid on your resume, and why!**

Have a question you want answered? Please reply to this email or email [email protected] for a chance to have me answer it in a future issue. If I still need to answer *your* question, don't worry. It's still in the inbox...no need to resubmit!

PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS!

This week, I'm discussing:

  • What you can do (or say) to improve your chances of the recruiter referring you to the hiring manager.

  • What job titles you shouldn't use when listing your LLC/DBA as your employer.

  • How to frame your freelance experience on your resume to showcase more value to the reader.

  • One word that you should definitely avoid using on your resume (and why).

  • And in “Debunking Career Clickbait,” I’m debunking advice about why you shouldn’t write a thank you note.

AFFILIATES

NOTE: As an affiliate to these services, we may receive compensation if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

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SKILLSHARE: GET YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE AND THEN 40% OFF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP UNTIL OCTOBER 31ST

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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.

PREMIUM SECTION

Hey all! Thanks for being a premium member! I hope you find the additional info helpful as you navigate your job search.

DEBUNKING CAREER CLICKBAIT

Last week, someone sent me a LinkedIn post discussing thank-you notes.

The author advised jobseekers not to send a thank you note. Why? Because it reinforces the power dynamic in the hiring relationship. If the interviewer isn’t going to send a thank you note to you for interviewing with them, why should the candidate?

By thanking the interviewer, you are subservient to a higher power and not treating the interviewer as a peer. The author’s theory is that if you want leverage in salary negotiations or ensure you are going to work for a company that truly values you, you shouldn’t thank anyone during the process.

I understand the concept, but there IS a power dynamic in hiring. You’re trying to convince the company to offer you employment. Yes, you can decline a job offer, but, ultimately, you are trying to convince the hiring company that you are the one they should hire (assuming everything is aligned with your wants/needs, including salary, job title, etc.).

If you want a job. If you need a job, playing hard to get won’t help. (This is also my argument when people say you shouldn’t promote the fact you’re #OpenToWork. One gets you noticed. One doesn’t. How is being ignored helpful?)

Is sending a thank you note considered “professional” and “polite?” To some. And if the interviewer would prefer to hire a professional or polite person, it might as well be you, right? Not sending one for the sake of being oppositional doesn’t benefit you. The goal of interviewing is to find a job, not to make a point.

But to me, that’s not the purpose of a thank you note. Thank you notes are an opportunity to further demonstrate your value.

Mess up an interview answer? Clarify it in the thank you note.

Forget to mention something? Include it in the thank you note.

Did you do some more research based on your interview discussion? Add it to the thank you note to demonstrate your interest.

The interviewer mentioned something specific you wanted to reinforce? Bring it up again in the thank you note.

Have a question? Ask it in the thank you note.

As a jobseeker, your goals are 1) to demonstrate value and 2) to promote engagement. You want to highlight the value you bring to the role and remain on the interviewer’s mind, whether it be to schedule another interview, address concerns, or discuss the job in more detail.

Simply ending the interview and waiting to hear back accomplishes nothing.

Want a job? Keep the dialogue going. Send a thank you note.

Read a post or watch a video with questionable advice? Send it to [email protected] and I’ll debunk it!

What job titles you shouldn't use when listing your LLC/DBA as your employer:

Employers take freelancing and self-employment as seriously as you present it. Instead of just listing bullet points of skills used or job duties, consider listing your clients (your top ones based on relevance to the job/company you’re applying to) along with bullet points of what you did for each client, both job duties AND examples of specific projects/initiatives, including the outcomes. Demonstrating the results of your projects highlights the value you offer to employers.

And if you list freelancing without any specific clients or projects, some companies assume you are using the resume entry to cover for unemployment. Remove that doubt/bias by being specific.

How to frame your freelance experience on your resume to showcase more value to the reader:

Employers take freelancing and self-employment as seriously as you present it. Instead of just listing bullet points of skills used or job duties, consider listing your clients (your top ones based on relevance to the job/company you’re applying to) along with bullet points of what you did for each client, both job duties AND examples of specific projects/initiatives, including the outcomes. Demonstrating the results of your projects really highlights the value you offer to employers.

And if you just list freelancing without any specifics of clients or projects, some companies assume you are using the resume entry to cover for unemployment.

One word that you should definitely avoid using on your resume (and why):

Entrepreneurial. I know freelancers and business owners like to say they are “entrepreneurial” to show initiative, decision-making, etc., but it can be used against you.

Why? To some people, entrepreneurs could be a culture-fit red flag, questioning how well you take direction from others, how well you take feedback, and how well you work with others.

I suggest leaving it off the resume, even if the word is listed on the job posting. Instead, discuss a process improvement you created or a project you owned and how you made a difference.

PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION

Are there things I should be doing or saying to improve my chances of the recruiter/talent acquisition individual referring me to the hiring manager?

That's the $1M question!

Everything you do in your job search should be based on your goal. And your goal isn't just "to get hired." Your goal is "to get hired for this specific job I'm applying for."

Trust me, there's a difference. Your resume, cover letter, interview answers, and thank you notes should all focus on the job you're applying for. Not your general background. Not how awesome you are overall, but how awesome you are for that role.

Above in the "Shameless Plug" I shared a thank you note I received from someone who was NOT selling their value enough. She had a great background, but the resume didn't show it. Besides the screenshot I included above, the email continued to say:

You were right: You can't just assume that any given recruiter or hiring manager will think some random candidate like me will be a great fit because, even with snazzy past job titles, even with reputable companies they worked before -- you have to show them why you deserve to be hired! You have to hammer home WHY you are "thee" candidate among all candidates who will be the best fit for the position.

What was happening was that she was assuming that the recruiter was seeing her relevance. So, in my resume review, I reviewed her experience and pointed out what needed more info. It's a scenario I see a lot in resumes, where the applicant assumes the recruiter can see their relevance. You must keep in mind that the recruiter has a recruiting background…not your background. They haven't done your job. They don't know what's involved in your day-to-day work. They don't know what part you play in projects or initiatives. They only know how to recruit; all they know about you is what you tell them on their resume. They (unfortunately) don't have the background to assume what you have and can do based on your job titles and descriptions…you have to show them.

And that's what I worked on with the above candidate with coaching. We discussed my review and then went into further detail about her experience. "Ok, you said you did this…what resulted from that?" Everything you do at work has a purpose… there's a reason you're doing it. It plays a part in something more significant, so you want to discuss how your experience contributed to those goals.

That's how you get past the recruiter interview round and receive an opportunity to meet the hiring manager- by showing how your experience is a match and successful.

Most people who apply for jobs feel they can do the work. The differentiator is showing the company you succeeded in doing the work. Resumes are more than keyword matching, so AI isn't all that helpful in resume or cover letter generation. It's all about being specific about your part in your employer's success, especially in interviews. You have to show them what you did.

The best way to demonstrate that you're the best candidate for the role is to explain your success, not just that you've done the job. Experience and success are 2 different things; the most impactful applicants are those who can demonstrate their track record of value. So make sure the resume's Summary, Key Achievements, and Experience bullet points are focused on that specific job, not just your general background.

Ensure your cover letter and interview responses have detailed STAR examples of your experience and success as they relate to the job posting, not just your background in general.

I hope that helps! Good luck!

That's it for now, and send in those questions! Don't forget to put "Premium" in the subject line so I can stay organized!

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions for the premium membership? Let me know! The premium tier is a work in progress, and I want to create something of real value for subscribers.

Have a good one!

-Adam

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