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    <title>Jobseeking is Hard</title>
    <description>Join a community of jobseekers. We share stories and offer resources to help you keep going in this difficult job market. Brought to you by Karpiak Consulting.</description>
    
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    <atom:updated>2026-05-16T04:01:38Z</atom:updated>
    
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  <title>#185 - Why Smart People Write Weak Resumes</title>
  <description>Hiring rewards clarity more than complexity...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes</link>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-05-13T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
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</style><div class='beehiiv__body'><h3 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="4-x-your-communication-output-same-">4x your communication output. Same quality. No burnout.</h3><div class="image"><a class="image__link" href="https://ref.wisprflow.ai/beehiiv-biz/?utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_source=beehiiv&utm_term=biz_p2_q2&_bhiiv=opp_1588753c-c3c3-4bb9-ac37-fc797fe7be3c_e39e1811&bhcl_id=fc49dd33-a4c0-40a1-840a-9f8ad837edaf_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="image__image" style="" src="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/80fa5710-77f1-4dca-9783-4922109dbd6b/flow-4x-faster-than-typing.png?t=1776898082"/></a></div><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The bottleneck isn&#39;t what you want to say — it&#39;s how long it takes to type it. <a class="link" href="https://ref.wisprflow.ai/beehiiv-biz/?utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_source=beehiiv&utm_term=biz_p2_q2&_bhiiv=opp_1588753c-c3c3-4bb9-ac37-fc797fe7be3c_e39e1811&bhcl_id=fc49dd33-a4c0-40a1-840a-9f8ad837edaf_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Wispr Flow </a>removes the bottleneck.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Speak naturally and get polished, send-ready text for executive summaries, client updates, board recaps, investor notes, or just the 30 Slack messages you&#39;re behind on. Flow strips filler, formats numbers and lists, and preserves your tone.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Used by teams at OpenAI, Vercel, and Clay. 89% of messages sent with zero edits. Works in every app on Mac, Windows, and iPhone.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><a class="link" href="https://ref.wisprflow.ai/beehiiv-biz/?utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_source=beehiiv&utm_term=biz_p2_q2&_bhiiv=opp_1588753c-c3c3-4bb9-ac37-fc797fe7be3c_e39e1811&bhcl_id=fc49dd33-a4c0-40a1-840a-9f8ad837edaf_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Start flowing free</a></p><hr class="content_break"><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="hey-there"><b>Hey There!</b></h2><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="welcome-to-issue-185-of-jobseeking-"><b>Welcome to Issue #185 of Jobseeking is Hard!</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Today&#39;s issue is brought to you by Wispr Flow! If you&#39;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!</b></p><hr class="content_break"><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Happy Wednesday!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">One of the more frustrating parts of modern hiring is that a lot of highly capable people struggle precisely because they’ve done too much. They’ve built broad careers, operated across multiple functions, solved different kinds of business problems, and developed experience that doesn’t fit neatly into one category. Then they sit down to write a resume and try to communicate all of it equally.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">That’s usually where the problems start.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">This week, I want to talk about why smart, accomplished professionals often write weak resumes, why broad experience becomes harder to position during tighter hiring markets, and why the hiring process tends to reward clarity more than complexity.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I’ll also walk through how direction and narrative clarity completely changed one <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/product-page/resume-review?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Comprehensive Resume Review</a> client’s job search. After restructuring the resume and simplifying the positioning, the client told me they’d scheduled more interviews in the previous week than they had in the last year, and later mentioned they’d never gotten a job so quickly.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">And one quick reminder since graduation season is here! <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/product-page/new-grad-bundle-limited-time?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The limited-time New Grad Bundle is still available,</a> and honestly, it’s probably one of the best gifts you can give the new grad in your life right now.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">A lot of entry-level candidates struggle because they don’t know how to position internships, coursework, projects, leadership experience, or part-time work in a way that feels relevant to employers. The bundle is designed specifically to help with that transition from school to the job market.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">It includes a resume built from the ground up, a tailored cover letter, and a LinkedIn profile rewrite to help new grads position themselves more effectively before they start applying. There’s also an optional strategy call for interview prep, job search questions, or general guidance entering the market. <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/product-page/new-grad-bundle-limited-time?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Check it out here!</a></p><hr class="content_break"><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>This week we’re talking about:</b></p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Why accomplished professionals struggle with positioning</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">How direction changed a client’s job search</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The best (worst?) job posting of the week</p></li></ul><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>And for Premium subscribers I’m:</b></p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Debunking recruiter advice about messaging recruiters on LinkedIn</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about whether they should apply for jobs they seem overqualified for. I’ll explain why “overqualified” is often interpreted as a hiring risk, how recruiters evaluate senior candidates applying below their level, and why positioning and narrative clarity matter so much in those situations.</b></p></li></ul><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Let’s get to it!</p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="clarity-vs-complexity"><b>CLARITY VS. COMPLEXITY</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Most weak resumes aren’t written by weak candidates.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">They’re usually written by smart, successful people who’ve built complicated careers and genuinely understand the full range of what they’re capable of doing. That’s often the problem.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Experienced professionals tend to resist narrowing their narrative because narrowing feels reductive. They know they can lead teams, improve operations, influence executives, manage clients, solve strategic problems, and operate across multiple functions. Many of them have spent years becoming more versatile, so when they sit down to write a resume, they try to preserve all of that complexity. They want the document to reflect the full picture of who they are professionally.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The result is often a resume that communicates intelligence and experience while making it surprisingly difficult for recruiters to understand where the person actually fits.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I see this constantly with senior candidates, consultants, operators, startup leaders, and people with broad cross-functional backgrounds. They’ll often say some version of: “But I have done all these things.” And they’re right. The problem usually isn’t accuracy...it&#39;s positioning.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The hiring process rewards clarity far more than completeness. Smart people understand nuance. They know business problems overlap. They know leadership rarely fits inside one clean category. They understand that strategy affects operations, operations affect revenue, revenue affects hiring, and hiring affects execution. Because they understand how interconnected their work really is, they write resumes that preserve complexity instead of reducing it.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The hiring system isn&#39;t designed to understand the most intellectually complete explanation of someone’s career. Instead, it rewards fast categorization. That’s the disconnect a lot of experienced candidates struggle with in this market.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Many experienced professionals are also trying to preserve optionality when writing resumes. They don’t want to be boxed into one path because they genuinely can do multiple things well. So the resume becomes an attempt to keep every possible door open simultaneously.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">That usually creates the opposite effect. When every skill gets equal emphasis, the reader struggles to understand what the candidate wants most to be hired for. The document reads more like a list of strengths than a clear professional identity. Leadership, operations, transformation, consulting, execution, and strategy all compete equally for the candidate&#39;s attention because the candidate sees all of them as true and important.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">And honestly, they usually are. The problem is that recruiters don’t evaluate resumes in the same layered way candidates experience their careers. Recruiters are usually trying to answer a much simpler question very quickly: “Where does this person fit?” If the answer isn’t obvious, the application becomes harder to process... especially with time constraints.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">This is why broad backgrounds often struggle more during difficult hiring markets, even when the candidate is highly capable. In tighter markets, companies become more risk-averse and more specific about what they want. Hiring managers start looking for people who feel like obvious lateral fits, and recruiters become even less willing to interpret ambiguous positioning.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Remember, just because someone got an interview and you didn’t, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re more qualified than you are. Sometimes the person moving forward simply communicated a clearer story, or their background mapped more directly to the role. Their resume required less interpretation. Their experience felt easier to categorize quickly.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">That’s frustrating for highly capable people because many of them are actually being penalized for the exact thing that made them successful professionally: breadth, adaptability, range, and the ability to operate across multiple environments. That doesn’t mean experienced professionals should undersell themselves or pretend their careers are simpler than they are. But it does mean resumes work better when they prioritize clarity over total representation.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">A strong resume doesn’t try to communicate every possible thing someone can do. It focuses attention on the specific narrative most likely to get that person into the conversation they actually want.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Have a topic you want me to cover in an upcoming issue? Reply or email </b><b><a class="link" href="mailto:contact@jobseekingishard.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">contact@jobseekingishard.com</a></b><b> and tell me what you want to know!</b></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="shameless-plug"><b>SHAMELESS PLUG</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If your job search needs a little more help, <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Karpiak Consulting offers resume and LinkedIn services, as well as job search strategy coaching. </a></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Who knows…maybe you’ll schedule more interviews in the past week than you have I the last year l<span style="color:rgb(14, 16, 26);">ike this client </span>🤷‍♂️</p><div class="image"><a class="image__link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image__image" style="" src="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/9f0512b6-9bea-4eb7-a9b1-34de32d92957/IMG_6B9C0BF99CE6-1.jpeg?t=1778672114"/></a><div class="image__source"><a class="image__source_link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><span class="image__source_text"><p><a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services</a></p></span></a></div></div><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">So how did I help this <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/product-page/resume-review?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Comprehensive Resume Review</a> client gain so much traction, so quickly?</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Direction.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Nothing about the background was weak. The issue was that the resume was trying to communicate too many things equally. </p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">This client had a broad background with experience spanning multiple functions and leadership areas. Very smart. Very accomplished. But the resume was trying to communicate the full complexity of everything they’d done professionally, which made the positioning harder for recruiters to process quickly.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The review focused heavily on narrowing the narrative, improving clarity, explaining execution instead of just outcomes, and reducing ambiguity. A lot of accomplished professionals unintentionally create resumes that require interpretation instead of recognition. Recruiters are trying to quickly understand where someone fits.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">After making the changes, the client told me they’d scheduled more interviews in the previous week than they had in the last year. Later, after accepting a new role, they mentioned they’d never gotten a job so quickly.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">That’s why I spend so much time talking about positioning. A lot of highly capable people aren’t struggling because they lack experience. They’re struggling because their experience is being presented in a way that’s too broad, too layered, or too difficult to categorize.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>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, </b><b><a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">our services can help.</a></b><b> </b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Curious what the process has been like for other clients? </b><a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/testimonials?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><b>Check out our testimonials here!</b></a></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="best-worst-job-post"><b>BEST (WORST?) JOB POST</b></h1><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="of-the-week"><b>OF THE WEEK</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Here’s the job post that got the most people talking <a class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/adamkarpiak?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">on my Instagram </a>this week!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><a class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DX_9Y1pkbwQ/?igsh=MW80ZzM1eGdrcjBkbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><b>“listed as ‘remote’ for visibility” is wild</b></a></p><blockquote align="center" class="instagram-media"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DX_9Y1pkbwQ/?igsh=MW80ZzM1eGdrcjBkbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Instagram post </p></a></blockquote><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>If you come across an irritating job posting, email it to the newsletter or </b><b><a class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/adamkarpiak?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">DM me on Instagram </a></b><b>and I’ll add it to the list to post!</b></p><hr class="content_break"><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Today&#39;s issue is </b><i><b>also</b></i><b> brought to you by Liquid! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter </b>🙂</p><h3 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="trade-from-the-subway-golf-course-o">Trade from the subway, golf course, or toilet</h3><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><a class="link" href="https://www.tryliquid.xyz/?utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_source=beehiiv&_bhiiv=opp_a3cd8fad-bb95-4704-96c2-a1566a9053a1_f891621b&bhcl_id=2687bd8a-7401-4648-92da-6f6756be55dd_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Liquid</a> enables users to go long or short on any market from your phone or desktop 24/7.<br><br>No matter what time of day it is or where you are, you can monitor the situation with Liquid.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><i><a class="link" href="https://www.tryliquid.xyz/?utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_source=beehiiv&_bhiiv=opp_a3cd8fad-bb95-4704-96c2-a1566a9053a1_f891621b&bhcl_id=2687bd8a-7401-4648-92da-6f6756be55dd_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Start trading from anywhere</a></i></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="premium-subscriber-question"><b>PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>“Should I apply for jobs I’m overqualified for?”</b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Check out the Premium Section below for my answer! Not a Premium Subscriber? </b><b><a class="link" href="http://www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Upgrade here: www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade</a></b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Why upgrade? For less than $0.63/day, you get:</b></p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Subscriber-Only Discounts:</b> Get exclusive promo codes for Karpiak Consulting services, available only to Premium subscribers. Whether you&#39;re updating your resume, need a LinkedIn profile review, or want expert help tailoring your applications, these occasional discounts make expert support more accessible.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Extra Tips & Advice:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Access to Previous Issues:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Exclusive Q&A:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Bonus Content: </b>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.</p></li></ul><hr class="content_break"><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="jobseekers-have-a-great-rest-of-you"><b>Jobseekers, have a great rest of your week, and good luck with those applications!</b></h2><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="adam"><b>-Adam</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>PS!! If you&#39;re enjoying the newsletter, let people know!</b> 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!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><i>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. </i><i><b><a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">You can find out more about Adam&#39;s resume and coaching services here</a></b></i><i><b>.</b></i></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="affiliates"><b>AFFILIATES</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:1.5rem;"><i>NOTE: As an affiliate to these services, we will receive compensation if you purchase products or services through the links provided.</i></span></p><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="betterhelp-15-off-your-first-month-"><b>SALE! SAVE 40% ON COURSERA PLUS FOR 3 MONTHS!</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>$35.40 per month, for 3 consecutive months (regularly $59 per month)</b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">You can save 40% on 3 months of unlimited access to thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription. That’s over $70 in savings—and more than a month of free learning!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Make this the start of something new for your career. Build in-demand skills, discover new career paths, and earn multiple job-ready certificates through expert-led instruction from leaders at Google, IBM, and more at a special low price.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Sign up here!</b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a class="link" href="https://imp.i384100.net/c/4709194/2979777/14726?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://imp.i384100.net/c/4709194/2979777/14726</a></span></p><hr class="content_break"><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="betterhelp-15-off-your-first-month-"><b>BETTERHELP: 15% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH OF ONLINE THERAPY</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Mental health is a massive part of your career. Anxiety, depression, self-worth issues…all become more intense the longer a job search goes on. With my link, get 15% off your first month of online therapy with BetterHelp!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">​<span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a class="link" href="https://www.betterhelp.com/jobseekingishard?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">http://www.betterhelp.com/jobseekingishard</a></span></p><hr class="content_break"><div class="paywall"><hr class="paywall__break"/><div class="paywall__content"><h2 class="paywall__header"> Subscribe to Premium to read the rest. </h2><p class="paywall__description"> Become a paying subscriber of Premium to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content. </p><p class="paywall__links"><a class="paywall__upgrade_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes">Upgrade</a> Translation missing: en.app.shared.conjuction.or <a class="paywall__login_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/login?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=185-why-smart-people-write-weak-resumes">Sign In</a></p><div class="paywall__upsell"><div class="paywall__upsell_header"><h3> A subscription gets you </h3></div><ul class="paywall__upsell_features"><li class="paywall__upsell_feature"> Extra Tips & Advice: Gain exclusive insights, strategies, and advice from a recruiter with over 20 years of experience in the field. 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This includes advice on avoiding common mistakes and maximizing your job search strategy to land interviews faster. </li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class='beehiiv__footer'><br class='beehiiv__footer__break'><hr class='beehiiv__footer__line'><a target="_blank" class="beehiiv__footer_link" style="text-align: center;" href="https://www.beehiiv.com/?utm_campaign=ada76e20-981c-4226-8c25-12adc3690028&utm_medium=post_rss&utm_source=jobseeking_is_hard">Powered by beehiiv</a></div></div>
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  <title>#184 - Recruiters Don’t Connect the Dots</title>
  <description>They&#39;re trained to say no...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/184-recruiters-don-t-connect-the-dots</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/184-recruiters-don-t-connect-the-dots</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-05-06T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
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  <title>#183 - Fix your Job Search</title>
  <description>Apply with intention...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/183-fix-your-job-search</link>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-04-29T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
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  ]]></content:encoded>
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      <item>
  <title>#182 - Personal Branding Isn’t What You Think</title>
  <description>Is your personal brand helping your search, or hurting it?</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/182-personal-branding-isn-t-what-you-think</link>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-04-22T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
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  ]]></content:encoded>
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      <item>
  <title>#181 - Shooting Your Shot</title>
  <description>And an exclusive Karpiak Consulting sale for Premium subscribers!</description>
      <enclosure url="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21dbd723-b257-407a-9703-58ce7bf6eb62/9D66B03A-75D9-4D90-B9A5-39B064A93C88.png" length="26579" type="image/png"/>
  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/181-shooting-your-shot</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/181-shooting-your-shot</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-04-15T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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  ]]></content:encoded>
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  <title>#180 - Why Strong Experience Still Gets Ignored</title>
  <description>Strong background but no interest? Here’s why...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/180-why-strong-experience-still-gets-ignored</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/180-why-strong-experience-still-gets-ignored</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-04-08T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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  ]]></content:encoded>
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  <title>#179 - How Realistic Is Pivoting?</title>
  <description>Applying outside your lane...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/179-how-realistic-is-pivoting</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/179-how-realistic-is-pivoting</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-04-01T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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  <title>#178 - Why Numbers Aren’t Always Enough</title>
  <description>Understanding how proof of value influences hiring decisions...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/178-why-numbers-arent-always-enough</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/178-why-numbers-arent-always-enough</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-03-25T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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  <title>#177 - Rules &amp; Absolutes </title>
  <description>Why nuance, not tactics, often determines who gets hired...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/177-rules-absolutes</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/177-rules-absolutes</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-03-18T13:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Linkedin]]></category>
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  <title>#176 - Laid Off...And Misdirected</title>
  <description>The problem with outplacement advice...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/176-laid-off-and-misdirected</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/176-laid-off-and-misdirected</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-03-11T14:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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      <item>
  <title>#175 - Focusing Your Resume Isn’t Dishonest</title>
  <description>Clarity is strategy, not misrepresentation</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/175-focusing-your-resume-isnt-dishonest</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/175-focusing-your-resume-isnt-dishonest</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-03-04T14:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Biases]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Recruiters]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Applications]]></category>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
    <div class='beehiiv'><style>
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</style><div class='beehiiv__body'><h3 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="turn-ai-into-your-income-engine">Turn AI into Your Income Engine</h3><div class="image"><a class="image__link" href="https://offers.hubspot.com/make-money-with-ai?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-m&_bhiiv=opp_436c612f-9323-4bc5-afb5-e8ba405728a9_64797c8f&bhcl_id=7cf3c76f-621a-4675-bd13-1b86b0fc1c30_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="image__image" style="" src="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/3f7cc6ae-0de5-44c6-b21d-e69d13b9455f/CNN_Creative_Refresh_5B__2_.jpg?t=1768432848"/></a></div><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Ready to transform artificial intelligence from a buzzword into your personal revenue generator?</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><a class="link" href="https://offers.hubspot.com/make-money-with-ai?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-m&_bhiiv=opp_436c612f-9323-4bc5-afb5-e8ba405728a9_64797c8f&bhcl_id=7cf3c76f-621a-4675-bd13-1b86b0fc1c30_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">HubSpot’s groundbreaking guide</a> &quot;200+ AI-Powered Income Ideas&quot; is your gateway to financial innovation in the digital age.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Inside you&#39;ll discover:</p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">A curated collection of 200+ profitable opportunities spanning content creation, e-commerce, gaming, and emerging digital markets—each vetted for real-world potential</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Step-by-step implementation guides designed for beginners, making AI accessible regardless of your technical background</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Cutting-edge strategies aligned with current market trends, ensuring your ventures stay ahead of the curve</p></li></ul><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><a class="link" href="https://offers.hubspot.com/make-money-with-ai?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-m&_bhiiv=opp_436c612f-9323-4bc5-afb5-e8ba405728a9_64797c8f&bhcl_id=7cf3c76f-621a-4675-bd13-1b86b0fc1c30_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Download your guide today</a> and unlock a future where artificial intelligence powers your success. Your next income stream is waiting.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><a class="link" href="https://offers.hubspot.com/make-money-with-ai?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_campaign=creator&utm_content=beehiiv&utm_term=version-m&_bhiiv=opp_436c612f-9323-4bc5-afb5-e8ba405728a9_64797c8f&bhcl_id=7cf3c76f-621a-4675-bd13-1b86b0fc1c30_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Get Your Guide</a></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><hr class="content_break"><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="hey-there"><b>Hey There!</b></h2><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="welcome-to-issue-175-of-jobseeking-"><b>Welcome to Issue #175 of Jobseeking is Hard!</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Today&#39;s issue is brought to you by HubSpot! If you&#39;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!</b></p><hr class="content_break"><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Happy Wednesday!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I’ve noticed a few conversations lately (mostly from non-recruiters, often hiring managers) questioning whether focusing your resume is “dishonest.” The argument seems to be that tailoring your experience to a specific role crosses some ethical line, or that condensing your background to highlight what’s most relevant is misrepresentation.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I understand why that makes people uneasy. No one wants to be accused of being something they&#39;re not. Most jobseekers are trying to present themselves accurately and in good faith.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">But from a recruiter’s POV, focusing your resume isn’t lying. It isn’t fabricating experience, inflating your seniority, or rewriting your history.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">It’s prioritizing.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Recruiters evaluate fit for a specific role. When you apply, we’re asking one question: can <i>this</i> person do <i>this</i> job?</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">This week, I’ll walk through the difference between focusing and falsifying and explain why clarity isn’t dishonesty.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I’ll also share how an <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/product-page/edit-bundle?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Edit Bundle</a> client moved from a Manager-level role to a VP-level role, with a $45K raise and additional perks, once their experience was framed in a way that made their scope and impact unmistakable.</p><hr class="content_break"><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>This week we’re talking about:</b></p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Why focusing your resume isn’t dishonest</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">How clarifying scope on your resume shifts how recruiters interpret you</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The best (worst?) job posting of the week</p></li></ul><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>And for Premium subscribers I’m:</b></p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Debunking the idea that recruiters are lurking in LinkedIn comment sections</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Answering a Premium subscriber’s question about reapplying with a more focused resume. I’ll explain what would need to change for it to actually matter. </b></p></li></ul><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Let’s get to it!</p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="prioritizing-isnt-misrepresenting"><b>PRIORITIZING ISN’T MISREPRESENTING</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If you’ve spent any time in hiring, you know this debate usually comes from a place of suspicion. There’s an assumption that if someone rearranges or emphasizes parts of their background, they must be trying to get away with something.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I’ve been recruiting since 2003. I’ve reviewed thousands of resumes across industries and levels. I can tell you this with confidence: recruiters aren’t looking for reasons to catch you in a lie. We’re looking for reasons to say yes.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">We want to be educated. We want to understand quickly why you’re relevant. We want to see how your experience maps to the problem we’re trying to solve.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">What we <i>don’t</i> want is to work harder than we have to.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">When people hear “focus your resume,” they often interpret it as hiding information or manipulating the experience. That’s not what it is. Focusing is prioritization, not fabrication.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Lying is inflating your seniority and claiming ownership you didn’t have…representing yourself as operating at a level you’ve never actually held. Fabricating metrics. That’s dishonesty.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Focusing is deciding what deserves the most space and emphasis for the role in front of you.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If you’ve done operational execution and long-term strategy, and you’re applying to a strategic role, leading with strategy isn’t deceptive. It’s relevant. If you’ve managed a small team and collaborated across a much larger organization, and the job requires cross-functional influence, highlighting that influence isn’t misrepresentation. It’s alignment.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Recruiters don’t evaluate resumes as complete career histories…we evaluate them against a defined scope (the job description we’re recruiting for). We’re asking whether this person can do this job. Not whether they can do every job they’ve ever had and what was involved in each role.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">When everything on a resume is presented, all of the skills and experience look equal and nothing stands out. In a crowded hiring market, that lack of prioritization hurts you more than anything else.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">There’s a difference between omission and distortion. You’re allowed to condense. You’re allowed to reorder. You’re allowed to elevate what matters most for the opportunity you’re pursuing. What you’re <i>not</i> allowed to do is invent.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The same logic applies to job titles. If your official title was vague, internal, or company-specific, clarifying it so a recruiter understands what you actually did isn’t deception. As long as you’re not exaggerating your level or claiming a title you didn’t operate at, aligning your title to industry language helps recruiters understand you faster.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">From the recruiter’s side of the table, a focused resume doesn’t feel dishonest. It feels thoughtful and that you understand the job enough to make alignment obvious. If your goal is to help us make an informed decision, focusing your resume achieves that.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Have a topic you want me to cover in an upcoming issue? Reply or email </b><b><a class="link" href="mailto:contact@jobseekingishard.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">contact@jobseekingishard.com</a></b><b> and tell me what you want to know!</b></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="shameless-plug"><b>SHAMELESS PLUG</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If your job search needs a little more help, <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Karpiak Consulting offers resume and LinkedIn services, as well as job search strategy coaching. </a></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Who knows…maybe you’ll land a $45K raise l<span style="color:rgb(14, 16, 26);">ike this client </span>🤷‍♂️</p><div class="image"><a class="image__link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image__image" style="" src="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6d41b4a5-b447-4837-b8c2-48513077bfa8/Screenshot_2026-03-03_at_12.20.36_PM.jpeg?t=1772561646"/></a><div class="image__source"><a class="image__source_link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><span class="image__source_text"><p><a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services</a></p></span></a></div></div><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">So how did I help this <a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/product-page/edit-bundle?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Edit Bundle </a>client move from a Manager-level role to a VP, with a huge raise?</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Scope.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If you’re targeting senior roles, your resume has to reflect the level you’re operating at…not just the tasks you’re performing.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">A lot of professionals aiming for Director, Head of, or VP roles undersell themselves without realizing it. They list everything they’re responsible for. They describe programs they manage. They outline compliance, training, reporting, and execution. All of it is accurate. All of it matters. But when everything is presented with equal weight, the reader defaults to the safest interpretation.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Senior-level resumes should signal scope immediately. That means clarifying ownership. Making it obvious when you’re setting strategy, not just executing it. Showing enterprise impact, not just site-level activity. Demonstrating influence across functions, not just within a team. It also means separating hands-on work from strategic accountability. If you’re responsible for long-term direction, budget decisions, regulatory exposure, cross-functional alignment, or cultural transformation, that needs to be obvious…not buried halfway down a bullet list.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">That’s what determines how recruiters interpret you.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">In this case, the experience was already there. The leadership scope, strategic impact, and enterprise visibility. It just wasn’t framed in a way that made the operating level easily recognizable and understandable.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">That’s the difference between “qualified” and “positioned.” And yes…that positioning helped lead to a VP title, a $45K raise, and additional perks.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>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, </b><b><a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com/career-services?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">our services can help.</a></b><b> </b></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="best-worst-job-post"><b>BEST (WORST?) JOB POST</b></h1><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="of-the-week"><b>OF THE WEEK</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Here’s the job post that got the most people talking <a class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/adamkarpiak?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">on my Instagram </a>this week!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>6 years of school to qualify for $21/hr is crazy work</b></p><blockquote align="center" class="instagram-media"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVQ0SM5kb65/?igsh=eHdsZWZmOGxzODJn&utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"> Instagram post </p></a></blockquote><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>If you come across an irritating job posting, email it to the newsletter or </b><b><a class="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/adamkarpiak?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">DM me on Instagram </a></b><b>and I’ll add it to the list to post!</b></p><hr class="content_break"><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Today&#39;s issue is </b><i><b>also</b></i><b> brought to you by Marketing Against The Grain! C’mon give it a click…it costs $0 and helps support your favorite job search newsletter </b>🙂</p><h3 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="how-marketers-are-scaling-with-ai-i"><span style="color:#000000;">How Marketers Are Scaling With AI in 2026</span></h3><div class="image"><a class="image__link" href="https://marketingagainstthegrain.com/state-of-marketing-sign-up?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=beehiiv-marketing-against-the-grain&utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_content=incentivized-beehiiv&utm_term=Secondary2026SOMReportV1&_bhiiv=opp_420e4387-3b45-406f-9d43-895f62ca6aa0_8833ba1c&bhcl_id=e860572b-d455-4f19-8073-5f529d154e52_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="image__image" style="" src="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/762a4930-127f-4e13-8b37-daf485a3dbd1/AI_Content_Average_Taste_Sell__4_.png?t=1770245401"/></a></div><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">61% of marketers say this is the biggest marketing shift in decades. </p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Get the data and trends shaping growth in 2026 with this groundbreaking <a class="link" href="https://marketingagainstthegrain.com/state-of-marketing-sign-up?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=beehiiv-marketing-against-the-grain&utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_content=incentivized-beehiiv&utm_term=Secondary2026SOMReportV1&_bhiiv=opp_420e4387-3b45-406f-9d43-895f62ca6aa0_8833ba1c&bhcl_id=e860572b-d455-4f19-8073-5f529d154e52_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">state of marketing report</a>. </p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Inside you’ll discover: </p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Results from over 1,500 marketers centered around results, goals and priorities in the age of AI </p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Stand out content and growth trends in a world full of noise</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">How to scale with AI without losing humanity</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Where to invest for the best return in 2026 </p></li></ul><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Download your <a class="link" href="https://marketingagainstthegrain.com/state-of-marketing-sign-up?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=beehiiv-marketing-against-the-grain&utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_content=incentivized-beehiiv&utm_term=Secondary2026SOMReportV1&_bhiiv=opp_420e4387-3b45-406f-9d43-895f62ca6aa0_8833ba1c&bhcl_id=e860572b-d455-4f19-8073-5f529d154e52_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">2026 state of marketing report today. </a></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><a class="link" href="https://marketingagainstthegrain.com/state-of-marketing-sign-up?utm_medium=email-media-newsletter&utm_source=beehiiv-marketing-against-the-grain&utm_campaign={{publication_alphanumeric_id}}&utm_content=incentivized-beehiiv&utm_term=Secondary2026SOMReportV1&_bhiiv=opp_420e4387-3b45-406f-9d43-895f62ca6aa0_8833ba1c&bhcl_id=e860572b-d455-4f19-8073-5f529d154e52_{{subscriber_id}}_{{email_address_id}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Get Your Report</a></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="premium-subscriber-question"><b>PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>“I applied for a role a few weeks ago and didn’t hear back. After reading your last issue, I realized my resume wasn’t very focused and probably undersold my credentials. The job is still posted. Can I reapply with my updated resume, or does that just look desperate?”</b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Check out the Premium Section below for my answer! Not a Premium Subscriber? </b><b><a class="link" href="http://www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Upgrade here: www.JobseekingIsHard.com/upgrade</a></b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Why upgrade? For less than $0.63/day, you get:</b></p><ul><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Subscriber-Only Discounts:</b> Get exclusive promo codes for Karpiak Consulting services, available only to Premium subscribers. Whether you&#39;re updating your resume, need a LinkedIn profile review, or want expert help tailoring your applications, these occasional discounts make expert support more accessible.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Extra Tips & Advice:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Access to Previous Issues:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Exclusive Q&A:</b> 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.</p></li><li><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Bonus Content: </b>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.</p></li></ul><hr class="content_break"><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="jobseekers-have-a-great-rest-of-you"><b>Jobseekers, have a great rest of your week, and good luck with those applications!</b></h2><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="adam"><b>-Adam</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>PS!! If you&#39;re enjoying the newsletter, let people know!</b> 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!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><i>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. </i><i><b><a class="link" href="https://www.karpiakconsulting.com?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">You can find out more about Adam&#39;s resume and coaching services here</a></b></i><i><b>.</b></i></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="affiliates"><b>AFFILIATES</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-size:1.5rem;"><i>NOTE: As an affiliate to these services, we will receive compensation if you purchase products or services through the links provided.</i></span></p><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="betterhelp-15-off-your-first-month-"><b>SALE! SAVE 40% ON COURSERA PLUS FOR 3 MONTHS!</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>$35.40 per month, for 3 consecutive months (regularly $59 per month)</b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">You can save 40% on 3 months of unlimited access to thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription. That’s over $70 in savings—and more than a month of free learning!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Make this the start of something new for your career. Build in-demand skills, discover new career paths, and earn multiple job-ready certificates through expert-led instruction from leaders at Google, IBM, and more at a special low price.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Sign up here!</b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a class="link" href="https://imp.i384100.net/c/4709194/2979777/14726?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://imp.i384100.net/c/4709194/2979777/14726</a></span></p><hr class="content_break"><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="betterhelp-15-off-your-first-month-"><b>BETTERHELP: 15% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH OF ONLINE THERAPY</b></h2><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Mental health is a massive part of your career. Anxiety, depression, self-worth issues…all become more intense the longer a job search goes on. With my link, get 15% off your first month of online therapy with BetterHelp!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">​<span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a class="link" href="https://www.betterhelp.com/jobseekingishard?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=175-focusing-your-resume-isn-t-dishonest" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">http://www.betterhelp.com/jobseekingishard</a></span></p><hr class="content_break"><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="premium-section"><b>PREMIUM SECTION</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:center;"><b>Hey all! Thanks for being a Premium member! I hope you find the additional info helpful as you navigate your job search.</b></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="debunking-career-clickbait"><b>DEBUNKING CAREER CLICKBAIT</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:center;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">This week’s take: “Recruiters read comments more than posts.”</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">No, we don’t. I’ve been recruiting since 2003. I’ve hired across industries, levels, and markets. I can tell you confidently: recruiters do not spend their day scanning comment sections hoping to discover hidden talent under someone else’s post.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">We source in LinkedIn Recruiter. We search by skills, titles, companies, experience level, geography. We filter. We Boolean. We build pipelines.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">We don’t browse comments like it’s Instagram.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">The idea that leaving five comments a day on someone’s content will meaningfully increase your visibility to recruiters is a massive oversimplification of how hiring actually works.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Now, can thoughtful engagement help you build relationships? Sure. Can being visible in your industry help over time? Absolutely. But that’s not what this post is selling.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">This post is implying that commenting on his content increases your visibility because he has “300+ recruiters” in his network who engage with him.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Let’s pause there.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">This is probably the saddest engagement grab I’ve seen in a while.<br>“Comment on my posts so recruiters will see you.”</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Recruiters don’t magically scan the comment section of <i>checks notes</i> random sales professionals to identify candidates.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If you want to comment on posts because you have something thoughtful to add, great. That’s networking. If you’re commenting five times a day because someone told you recruiters are lurking in the replies like talent scouts at a middle school basketball game, you’re misallocating your time.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">And in this market, time is your most valuable asset.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>Watch or read a questionable piece of career content? Send it along and I’d love to debunk it! </b><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><b><a class="link" href="mailto:contact@jobseekingishard.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">contact@jobseekingishard.com</a></b></span></p><hr class="content_break"><h1 class="heading" style="text-align:center;" id="premium-subscriber-question"><b>PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER QUESTION</b></h1><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>“I applied for a role a few weeks ago and didn’t hear back. After reading your last issue, I realized my resume wasn’t very focused and probably undersold my credentials. The job is still posted. Can I reapply with my updated resume, or does that just look desperate?”</b></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">First, I want to say this: you&#39;re not getting blacklisted for reapplying to a job. Blacklists aren&#39;t a standard recruiting practice for normal applicant behavior. Recruiters aren&#39;t sitting around flagging people for submitting an improved resume. That&#39;s not how hiring works. Blacklisting happens in extreme situations, not because someone reapplied with a clearer document.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Now, that doesn&#39;t automatically mean you should just hit &quot;apply&quot; again.<br>Most applicant tracking systems retain your previous submission. If you reapply through the same portal a few weeks later, the recruiter will see that you&#39;ve already applied. In many systems, the new submission attaches to your existing profile. It doesn&#39;t wipe the slate clean.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">So the real question isn&#39;t, &quot;Can I reapply?&quot; The real question is, &quot;Would this new resume materially change how I&#39;m evaluated?&quot;</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If your original resume buried scope, blended tactical work with strategic accountability, and didn&#39;t clearly signal alignment, and your revised version now makes your level unmistakable, that&#39;s a meaningful change. That can affect interpretation.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If the new version is just slightly cleaner or reorganized but tells the same story at the same level, the outcome likely won&#39;t change.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Another factor is timing. If the role has been reposted, that&#39;s often an indicator that the hiring team didn&#39;t find what they were looking for in the initial applicant pool. In that case, a sharper, more focused resume may land differently. You&#39;re not trying to trick the system. You&#39;re presenting a clearer case for fit.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">In many cases, the smarter move isn&#39;t a silent resubmission. It&#39;s outreach. A brief, professional note to the recruiter or hiring manager saying something like, &quot;I recently updated my resume to better reflect my alignment with this role and wanted to share it,&quot; can reopen the conversation without appearing reactive or desperate.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Look, recruiters want to say yes. We want to understand quickly why you&#39;re relevant. If your original resume made us work too hard to see it, and the new version makes it obvious, that&#39;s helpful. What doesn&#39;t work is resubmitting the same positioning and hoping for a different result. Clarity changes interpretation. Interpretation changes screening decisions.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">If your updated resume genuinely shifts how your scope and level are perceived, you&#39;re correcting the narrative, and that&#39;s ok. That&#39;s not something that gets you blacklisted. It&#39;s something that makes it easier for someone to advocate for you.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">I hope that helps! Good luck!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><b>If you’re a Premium subscriber and have a question about your job search, email us at </b><b><a class="link" href="mailto:contact@jobseekingishard.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">contact@jobseekingishard.com</a></b><b> and I’ll answer it in a future issue!</b></p><hr class="content_break"><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">That&#39;s it for now, and send in those questions! Don&#39;t forget to put &quot;Premium&quot; in the subject line so I can stay organized!</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">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.</p><p class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Have a good one!</p><h2 class="heading" style="text-align:left;" id="adam"><b>-Adam</b></h2></div><div class='beehiiv__footer'><br class='beehiiv__footer__break'><hr class='beehiiv__footer__line'><a target="_blank" class="beehiiv__footer_link" style="text-align: center;" href="https://www.beehiiv.com/?utm_campaign=be7dbed5-74c7-4aee-b378-7edb3f0c3e39&utm_medium=post_rss&utm_source=jobseeking_is_hard">Powered by beehiiv</a></div></div>
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  <title>#174 - The Advice Problem</title>
  <description>Filtering the noise...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/174-the-advice-problem</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/174-the-advice-problem</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-02-25T14:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Follow Ups]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Applications]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category>
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</style><div class='beehiiv__body'><div class='paywall'><div class='paywall__content'><h2 class='paywall__header'>Premium Content</h2><p class='paywall__description'>This content is reserved for premium subscribers of Jobseeking is Hard&#39;s Premium Subscription. To Access this and other great posts, consider upgrading to premium.</p><p class='paywall__links'><a class="paywall__upgrade_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=174-the-advice-problem">Upgrade</a><span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.templates.posts.rss.link_conjuction">Link Conjuction</span><a class="paywall__login_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/login?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=174-the-advice-problem">Sign In</a></p><div class='paywall__upsell'><div class='paywall__upsell_header'><h3>A subscription gets you:</h3></div><ul class='paywall__upsell_features'><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to additional newsletter content, such as extra advice and/or additional answers to premium subscriber-submitted questions. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to previous articles! The current issue will always be free to read online, but access to previous issues is a premium benefit. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> As a bonus, you will receive an additional 20 job search tips emailed to you within 20 days: Top Job Search Mistakes! When looking for a job, there are so many variables that you can&#39;t control. But you CAN avoid self-elimination. I&#39;ll be pointing out mistakes jobseekers make and how you can avoid/fix them. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Maybe you just want to say thanks or help with this initiative. Content takes time (and money), so consider signing up just as a way to show appreciation for the help :) </li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class='beehiiv__footer'><br class='beehiiv__footer__break'><hr class='beehiiv__footer__line'><a target="_blank" class="beehiiv__footer_link" style="text-align: center;" href="https://www.beehiiv.com/?utm_campaign=0877a18d-d319-4304-8568-01bacceedd82&utm_medium=post_rss&utm_source=jobseeking_is_hard">Powered by beehiiv</a></div></div>
  ]]></content:encoded>
</item>

      <item>
  <title>#173 - Apply Less. Interview More.</title>
  <description>Smarter applications outperform more applications...</description>
      <enclosure url="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21dbd723-b257-407a-9703-58ce7bf6eb62/9D66B03A-75D9-4D90-B9A5-39B064A93C88.png" length="26579" type="image/png"/>
  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/173-apply-less-interview-more</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/173-apply-less-interview-more</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-02-18T14:00:19Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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</style><div class='beehiiv__body'><div class='paywall'><div class='paywall__content'><h2 class='paywall__header'>Premium Content</h2><p class='paywall__description'>This content is reserved for premium subscribers of Jobseeking is Hard&#39;s Premium Subscription. To Access this and other great posts, consider upgrading to premium.</p><p class='paywall__links'><a class="paywall__upgrade_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=173-apply-less-interview-more">Upgrade</a><span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.templates.posts.rss.link_conjuction">Link Conjuction</span><a class="paywall__login_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/login?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=173-apply-less-interview-more">Sign In</a></p><div class='paywall__upsell'><div class='paywall__upsell_header'><h3>A subscription gets you:</h3></div><ul class='paywall__upsell_features'><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to additional newsletter content, such as extra advice and/or additional answers to premium subscriber-submitted questions. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to previous articles! The current issue will always be free to read online, but access to previous issues is a premium benefit. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> As a bonus, you will receive an additional 20 job search tips emailed to you within 20 days: Top Job Search Mistakes! When looking for a job, there are so many variables that you can&#39;t control. But you CAN avoid self-elimination. I&#39;ll be pointing out mistakes jobseekers make and how you can avoid/fix them. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Maybe you just want to say thanks or help with this initiative. Content takes time (and money), so consider signing up just as a way to show appreciation for the help :) </li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class='beehiiv__footer'><br class='beehiiv__footer__break'><hr class='beehiiv__footer__line'><a target="_blank" class="beehiiv__footer_link" style="text-align: center;" href="https://www.beehiiv.com/?utm_campaign=f2a9b50c-4d3b-41c2-b3ee-d584b2acced6&utm_medium=post_rss&utm_source=jobseeking_is_hard">Powered by beehiiv</a></div></div>
  ]]></content:encoded>
</item>

      <item>
  <title>#172 - Resume Slop</title>
  <description>When resume &quot;optimization&quot; misses the point...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/172-resume-slop</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/172-resume-slop</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-02-11T14:00:14Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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</style><div class='beehiiv__body'><div class='paywall'><div class='paywall__content'><h2 class='paywall__header'>Premium Content</h2><p class='paywall__description'>This content is reserved for premium subscribers of Jobseeking is Hard&#39;s Premium Subscription. To Access this and other great posts, consider upgrading to premium.</p><p class='paywall__links'><a class="paywall__upgrade_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=172-resume-slop">Upgrade</a><span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.templates.posts.rss.link_conjuction">Link Conjuction</span><a class="paywall__login_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/login?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=172-resume-slop">Sign In</a></p><div class='paywall__upsell'><div class='paywall__upsell_header'><h3>A subscription gets you:</h3></div><ul class='paywall__upsell_features'><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to additional newsletter content, such as extra advice and/or additional answers to premium subscriber-submitted questions. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to previous articles! The current issue will always be free to read online, but access to previous issues is a premium benefit. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> As a bonus, you will receive an additional 20 job search tips emailed to you within 20 days: Top Job Search Mistakes! When looking for a job, there are so many variables that you can&#39;t control. But you CAN avoid self-elimination. I&#39;ll be pointing out mistakes jobseekers make and how you can avoid/fix them. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Maybe you just want to say thanks or help with this initiative. Content takes time (and money), so consider signing up just as a way to show appreciation for the help :) </li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class='beehiiv__footer'><br class='beehiiv__footer__break'><hr class='beehiiv__footer__line'><a target="_blank" class="beehiiv__footer_link" style="text-align: center;" href="https://www.beehiiv.com/?utm_campaign=dfec3014-8bb2-4674-a964-f206d72370c9&utm_medium=post_rss&utm_source=jobseeking_is_hard">Powered by beehiiv</a></div></div>
  ]]></content:encoded>
</item>

      <item>
  <title>#171 - The Way Most People Actually Get Hired</title>
  <description>And why it doesn’t feel like it’s working...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/171-the-way-most-people-actually-get-hired</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/171-the-way-most-people-actually-get-hired</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-02-04T14:00:19Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Applications]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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  ]]></content:encoded>
</item>

      <item>
  <title>#170 - Protecting Your Career Narrative</title>
  <description>Resumes and the work you take just to get by...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/170-protecting-your-career-narrative</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/170-protecting-your-career-narrative</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-01-28T14:00:58Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Recruiters]]></category>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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</style><div class='beehiiv__body'><div class='paywall'><div class='paywall__content'><h2 class='paywall__header'>Premium Content</h2><p class='paywall__description'>This content is reserved for premium subscribers of Jobseeking is Hard&#39;s Premium Subscription. To Access this and other great posts, consider upgrading to premium.</p><p class='paywall__links'><a class="paywall__upgrade_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=170-protecting-your-career-narrative">Upgrade</a><span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.templates.posts.rss.link_conjuction">Link Conjuction</span><a class="paywall__login_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/login?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=170-protecting-your-career-narrative">Sign In</a></p><div class='paywall__upsell'><div class='paywall__upsell_header'><h3>A subscription gets you:</h3></div><ul class='paywall__upsell_features'><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to additional newsletter content, such as extra advice and/or additional answers to premium subscriber-submitted questions. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to previous articles! The current issue will always be free to read online, but access to previous issues is a premium benefit. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> As a bonus, you will receive an additional 20 job search tips emailed to you within 20 days: Top Job Search Mistakes! When looking for a job, there are so many variables that you can&#39;t control. But you CAN avoid self-elimination. I&#39;ll be pointing out mistakes jobseekers make and how you can avoid/fix them. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Maybe you just want to say thanks or help with this initiative. Content takes time (and money), so consider signing up just as a way to show appreciation for the help :) </li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class='beehiiv__footer'><br class='beehiiv__footer__break'><hr class='beehiiv__footer__line'><a target="_blank" class="beehiiv__footer_link" style="text-align: center;" href="https://www.beehiiv.com/?utm_campaign=51f7bace-276c-4092-b581-59c2c6eca173&utm_medium=post_rss&utm_source=jobseeking_is_hard">Powered by beehiiv</a></div></div>
  ]]></content:encoded>
</item>

      <item>
  <title>#169 - Competing in This Economy</title>
  <description>Why resume clarity beats volume...</description>
      <enclosure url="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21dbd723-b257-407a-9703-58ce7bf6eb62/9D66B03A-75D9-4D90-B9A5-39B064A93C88.png" length="26579" type="image/png"/>
  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/169-competing-in-this-economy</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/169-competing-in-this-economy</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:01:17 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-01-21T14:01:17Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Recruiters]]></category>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
    <div class='beehiiv'><style>
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</style><div class='beehiiv__body'><div class='paywall'><div class='paywall__content'><h2 class='paywall__header'>Premium Content</h2><p class='paywall__description'>This content is reserved for premium subscribers of Jobseeking is Hard&#39;s Premium Subscription. To Access this and other great posts, consider upgrading to premium.</p><p class='paywall__links'><a class="paywall__upgrade_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/upgrade?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=169-competing-in-this-economy">Upgrade</a><span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.templates.posts.rss.link_conjuction">Link Conjuction</span><a class="paywall__login_link" href="https://www.jobseekingishard.com/login?utm_source=www.jobseekingishard.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=169-competing-in-this-economy">Sign In</a></p><div class='paywall__upsell'><div class='paywall__upsell_header'><h3>A subscription gets you:</h3></div><ul class='paywall__upsell_features'><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to additional newsletter content, such as extra advice and/or additional answers to premium subscriber-submitted questions. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Access to previous articles! The current issue will always be free to read online, but access to previous issues is a premium benefit. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> As a bonus, you will receive an additional 20 job search tips emailed to you within 20 days: Top Job Search Mistakes! When looking for a job, there are so many variables that you can&#39;t control. But you CAN avoid self-elimination. I&#39;ll be pointing out mistakes jobseekers make and how you can avoid/fix them. </li><li class='paywall__upsell_feature'> Maybe you just want to say thanks or help with this initiative. Content takes time (and money), so consider signing up just as a way to show appreciation for the help :) </li></ul></div></div></div></div><div class='beehiiv__footer'><br class='beehiiv__footer__break'><hr class='beehiiv__footer__line'><a target="_blank" class="beehiiv__footer_link" style="text-align: center;" href="https://www.beehiiv.com/?utm_campaign=ad2fb3f4-4d1f-42fc-a250-3b7e0475e993&utm_medium=post_rss&utm_source=jobseeking_is_hard">Powered by beehiiv</a></div></div>
  ]]></content:encoded>
</item>

      <item>
  <title>#168 - The Truth About Resume Templates</title>
  <description>There’s no shortcut to a strong resume...</description>
      <enclosure url="https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/21dbd723-b257-407a-9703-58ce7bf6eb62/9D66B03A-75D9-4D90-B9A5-39B064A93C88.png" length="26579" type="image/png"/>
  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/168-the-truth-about-resume-templates-6242</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/168-the-truth-about-resume-templates-6242</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:01:25 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-01-14T14:01:25Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Tools]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Linkedin]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category>
  <content:encoded><![CDATA[
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      <item>
  <title>#167 - Hello 2026</title>
  <description>Let’s fix this job search...</description>
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  <link>https://www.jobseekingishard.com/p/167-hello-2026</link>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2026-01-07T05:00:00Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
    <category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Resumes]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Recruiters]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Linkedin]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Applications]]></category>
    <category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category>
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      <item>
  <title>#166 - Goodbye 2025</title>
  <description>And please take these with you...</description>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:00:53 +0000</pubDate>
  <atom:published>2025-12-31T14:00:53Z</atom:published>
    <dc:creator>Adam Karpiak</dc:creator>
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