Most recruiters read resumes first, often ignoring cover letters unless they clarify resume questions. Invest effort in tailoring resumes instead of generic cover letters.
Author: Angela Malagon
Why you need a hobby during a layoff
Layoffs & Severance Why you need a hobby during a layoff A hobby during a layoff gives you what a job search can’t: something you can start, finish, and get visibly better at this week. That protects your mental health, and it shows on screening calls, because a person whose whole day is the search… Continue reading Why you need a hobby during a layoff
Staffing agencies vs. recruiters: who actually works for you
Neither staffing agencies nor recruiters work for job seekers; they serve employers who pay them. Understanding their payment structures helps effectively navigate job searches.
Botox your resume: age-proof it without lying
Ageism Botox your resume: age-proof it without lying To age-proof your resume, match the experience you show to the experience the posting asks for: 7 to 10 years requested means about ten years on the page. Cut the older roles and the dates that let a stranger do the math, and leave every date, title,… Continue reading Botox your resume: age-proof it without lying
Overqualified for an individual contributor role
Ageism A letter to employers who keep saying overqualified Overqualified rarely means your skills are too much for the role. It means nobody could tell why someone with your background would want it, and experienced candidates choosing individual contributor work get past it by saying why first, before anyone has to guess. Listen to this… Continue reading Overqualified for an individual contributor role
What a younger hiring manager is really afraid of
Ageism Interviewing with a hiring manager younger than you: what they’re really afraid of When you interview with a younger hiring manager, the worry usually isn’t your age itself. It’s whether you’ll second-guess them, manage them from below, or compare them to your last boss, and you can answer that in the first ten minutes… Continue reading What a younger hiring manager is really afraid of
Should you reapply to the company that laid you off?
Reapplying to a former employer can be beneficial if you are eligible for rehire. Understand changes, avoid asking for your old salary, and emphasize your value.
How to translate transferable skills into a new field
Career Pivots “Transferable skills” is not a phrase a recruiter can use Transferable skills on a resume get skipped because no recruiter searches for them and no hiring manager can score them. Translate each skill into the words the new field already uses, the nouns, tools, and metrics in its job postings, and attach the… Continue reading How to translate transferable skills into a new field
How to target your job search outside of LinkedIn
To effectively target your job search outside LinkedIn, focus on specific companies, their career pages, and networking opportunities instead of relying solely on public postings.
Taking a step down to pivot: when it pays and when it traps you
Taking a step down in career can be beneficial if it opens new opportunities and aligns with your goals; otherwise, it may hinder future advancement and salary growth.