11 Job Search Tips You Need to Avoid

Hey there 👋 - it's Abbhi

Welcome to Career Confidence.

If you're new here, every week we dive into the juicy details of the job search process and how to get you hired.

Today I’ll be sharing 11 job search tips you should avoid (and what to do instead)

This one’s a 3 minute read.

Let’s dive in.

My Weekly Spotlight:

Fun Fact: I tried out this awesome new cafe in Brooklyn called ‘Hide and Seek’ and this pasta place I’ve been meaning to try (La Forma) - it was amazing

Work update: I launched my video course last week (along with a new landing page and welcome sequence). Working on newsletter ads soon.

What’s new: I hopped on the bandwagon (and joined the other 70M+) on Threads this week. Follow me here for behind the scenes insights with a bit more personality than LinkedIn 😉

Picture: Featuring the new cafe in Brooklyn 👀

Let’s dive into this weeks best finds.

Abbhi's Weekly Aces:

🤖 AI Tool: Get AI to apply for jobs for you

🎯 Job Board: Get access to 100s of Marketing & Sales jobs

⛏ Job Search Tool: Get personalized career advice with AI

📚 Resource: 18 remote job boards you didn’t know existed (till now)

 🧲 Lead Magnet: Become interview magnet with Job-Hunt Video Course

Your Weekly Vote:

Deep Dive

11 Job Search Tips You Need to Avoid

1. ATS is a bot

I promise ATS is not a bot…

It’s a digital filing cabinet to store resumes. Recruiters can search for keywords or key attributes in resumes to more easily find them.

If you receive an ‘auto rejection email’ that is an automated message that you’d receive after a recruiter decided your resume should not move forward.

Read more about it by an actual recruiter here

2. AI screens resumes

Recruiters read resumes. Yes they read them pretty quickly but they do read your resume. Experienced recruiters will be able to skim your resume and tell if you’re qualified / a good fit for the role in < 60 seconds.

3. Don’t apply to the job

You should (always) apply to the job.

Even if you network, get referrals etc. always apply. You may need to apply after you get a referral through the referral link. But you still need to apply.

Many people say ‘don’t apply online’ but 99.9% of the time you’ll need to send in an application.

4. Resume must be 1 page

Your resume doesn’t need to be 1 page. More importantly focus on the content on the resume. It should have no fluff. All the content should be relevant, specific, and impactful.

More often than not the 2nd or 3rd page of someone’s resume tends to be fluff. If you have 10+ years of experience it’ll be pretty normal to have more than 1 page on your resume. Just make sure it’s all impactful.

Saw this quote this week - “Show the company the 10% of you that's 100% relevant to them” - this is what your resume is all about

5. Message recruiters BEFORE applying

Don’t do this. Please.

Recruiters will NOT be happy (heard specifically from recruiters).

So the question stands… when should you message recruiters? (if at all?)

Answer - AFTER you apply.

Use the 1 + 1 method. Message the recruiter that covers the role you applied to after you apply. Use LinkedIn to find them.

Sample message:

Hey [name], I recently applied to [Job ID + Title at Company]. I’m known for helping Series C ed-tech startups expand their go-to-market activities. I’ve been interested in working at [company name] for a few years given your commitment to providing education technology to underprivileged communities. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with your team. Do you have any information on hiring timelines you could share with me?

6. Ask “Anything preventing me from getting the job”

Don’t ask this. In the end of the day the interviewer has decided if they’re going to hire you before you ask the question. And it won’t change their mind.

They’ll also have to discuss your candidacy afterwards anyway with the hiring committee. I’m sure you’ll hear stories of this ‘working’ for some people.

Most recruiters & hiring managers don’t advise this question. But you do you.

7. Apply without minimum qualifications

Many people will tell you to apply with 60% (or more) of the minimum qualifications. This may work in a booming market. I’ve gotten jobs without min. qualifications in great job markets.

But the reality is…

In this job market you NEED most (if not all) the minimum qualifications AND a few nice to haves.

Picture this:

• 400 applications. 300 are not qualified. 100 are qualified.

• The 300 will get rejected

• 20 may get interviews (they have referrals, nice to haves etc.)

• 2-3 may get offers (they communicated their value well)

That’s the reality.

Being smart about where you apply is key.

8. Ask random people for referrals

Please don’t do this. Using referrals is fine…

And a great way to land interviews. I've gotten nearly all my interviews through referrals. But some people will tell you to use apps (like Fishbowl and LinkedIn) to message random people for referrals at your target companies.

Best case: People say yes BUT they don’t know you. They don’t know your work. They might not be in your target team or role.

Referrals have levels. Some are more powerful than others.

But the bottom line?

They need to know you or get to you in a professional setting. Get to know your background and your relevant experience to the role.

9. Green banner looks desperate

The green banner DOES NOT make you look desperate.

Recruiters often filter for profiles on LinkedIn that are ‘open to work’. The green banner makes this super easy. You never know who can help you. So tell your network!

10. Use the "hidden job market"

There’s no hidden job market…

Nearly ALL jobs are posted online. Recruiters will share with you that they post all their jobs. In rare occasions there may be positions filled within people’s network and never posted (but vast majority is posted).

So focus on applying online. Focus on networking. And you’ll win.

11. Villainize recruiters

Recruiters are your friends… they are here to help you.

Ask them questions about the interview process. They want you to get the job.

Like any other job there are good and bad recruiters. I’m sure you’ll have experience with both. Recruiters will sometimes ghost you. Don’t take it personally. They should let you know their decision but sometimes they won’t.

Move on…

Apply to your next job and keep your head up. You got this.

Weekly Thoughts

P.S. Some other prizes include resume reviews, LinkedIn Profile reviews, monthly insider emails, and free guides - invite your friends to help you win!

Picture of The Week: New Cafe

Me working in a new cafe in Brooklyn 💻

And if you've got a moment, I'd love to hear what you thought of this edition of Career Confidence. Send me a quick message - I reply to every email!