Career development

1h

The Quiet Skill That Separates Good Developers from Great Ones

In the developer world, we talk a lot about frameworks, languages, performance tricks, and shiny new tools. But there's a quiet skill that rarely shows up on résumés or tech talks -- and yet, it often defines who thrives long-term.

That skill is thinking in systems, not just solutions.

Most developers can fix a bug. Many can implement a feature. Fewer stop and ask: "How does this change affect... everything else?"

Writing code that works is step one. Writing code that fits is the real challenge.

This is why senior developers often seem slower at first glance. They ask annoying questions. They hesitate. They draw diagrams. What they're really doing is mapping the system in their head before touching the keyboard.

The Cost of "Just Make It Work"

Early in our careers, speed feels like everything. And sometimes it is. But unchecked speed has hidden costs:

Most technical debt isn't caused by incompetence -- it's caused by short-term thinking under pressure.

How to Train System Thinking

You don't need a new job title to build this skill. Small habits help:

Over time, you start seeing patterns. And once you see them, you can't unsee them.

The Irony

Here's the funny part: developers who think in systems often end up moving faster -- just later. Their code survives change. Their features age better. Their teammates trust them.

In a field obsessed with velocity, the real advantage is direction.

So next time you're about to rush a solution, pause for a moment. The best code isn't just clever -- it's considerate. more

Career development

1h

Pay transparency and hiring transparency

In the stupid western part of Washington State (based on urbanite voting patterns) there are bills (SB 6100, SB 6221 and HB 2377) that could curb enforcement of employer pay transparency. Currently, employers share a job's pay range. According to ProtectPayTransparency.com, these bills circumvent that, letting "big business hide pay and benefits."

Here's another idea: "Encourage" large employers,... particularly state government agencies, to post the redacted résumés of hired job candidates on their job boards. What follows are a few examples of why this may be a capital idea.

Some obscure H.R. rules (probably concocted to secure another position to oversee them) open positions to both internal and external applicants. Often the fix is in, and the external employee, unbeknownst to him, is wasting his time -- the hiring manager was intent on hiring the favored internal employee all along. She may have even been groomed in a job-sharing capacity. To reduce this spirit-sapping skepticism, be transparent: Reveal, in general terms, the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) of the hired candidate. This is easily accomplished without sharing any personally identifiable information. (Besides, job-hunters likely have their résumés in the public domain already, so they'll probably be proud.)

Female state employees are more likely to occupy cozy offices (they are heavily concentrated in administrative and H.R. roles), whereas the essential male employees are more likely to perform critical functions (road work, transportation, utilities, law enforcement, etc.) in harsh environments. Once burrowed in (and therefore mollycoddled by their union), the office workers become very protective of their cozy female fiefdoms.

One way for an admin assistant, for example, to get promoted to a heretofore unadvertised position is to have a baby. Though it puts a strain on other employees to chip in, when the new mother returns to her protected A.A., job she will likely engender sympathy from her manager. To curry loyalty, the manager will find a way to promote her after cooing incessantly over the "cute" pictures of the new baby that are all over the place. Often, all it takes is for the admin to perform one task associated with the new position (management analyst is a typical career path for them) to become quasi-"qualified." H.R. is often compliant with the manager's recommendation. Essentially, a new, virtually unadvertised position has been created, and the Peter Principle prevails.

Ultimately, since we want more Americans to have more American babies, that surreptitious hiring process may be propitious. Nevertheless, we should also recognize that it may undermine morale when a partially qualified incumbent gets all uppity, knowing that her mutually dependent manager will coddle her. To help make government more effective and efficient (heaven knows it needs it), the concocted position should be advertised and the hired person's credentials acknowledged on the job board. Transparency will reduce the selection shenanigans. The business imperatives of the new position should be identified first, then pursue placement proceedings, rather than determine to promote a favored employee, then search for a justification.

Posting the non-personally identifiable information about hired employees might lessen unwarranted favoritism and underpin a regime of meritocracy. Many government job sites allow registered users to track the status of their applications; for example: received, reviewed, interview scheduled, etc. It would be easy to add another tab: "Position Filled," which would include the KSA of the hired employee. This wouldn't threaten privacy; employers, names, and whatnot aren't necessary.

Don't just protect pay transparency; protect hiring transparency. Don't just post the job's pay range; post the winning candidate's KSA. Now, that's a capital idea, especially for the bloated bureaucracies in the Capitol. more

Maria Irgens

Career development

16h

I work as a hotel cleaner and suddenly lifted a box of bottled water (we put 2 bottles in each guest room). I pinched a nerve in my back and can barely walk, even though I’m getting pain-relief injections. I stayed home for 5 days and yesterday I went back to work, but I can’t lift anything and hardly move.
Management doesn’t believe I’m in that much pain. They say I’m lazy. I really can’t work... and I’m afraid I’ll be fired. The doctor said five days should be enough to feel better. What should I do?

more

TIWOL EMMANUEL BOABIL
1h
Get medical report and submit it to your company
1
Phyllis Page
3h
It is unclear if you notified management, . that you were injured on the job. If so, you need to file a workers comp claim asap..
1

Career development

5h

Dear Alma, I've doscovered my principal is a fraud - Slippedisc

I am starting to suspect my section leader is a fraud. He talks about studying at Juilliard but a search of alumni in the relevant years does not show his name.

OK, maybe he went to junior classes on Saturdays.

More seriously, he claims to have graduated from an Ivy League college. His former girlfriend asked to see his diploma, and he refused.

I dislike and disrespect him as do most of the... section. I caught him once on tour in the ladies washroom - 'by mistake,' he said.

He is a distant cousin of one of our orchestra's senile patrons.

Why does orchestra life have to be so complicated? How do we ditch him?

But if I am correct, you don't need any kind of diploma to get into an orchestra. It's merit-based. Although, of course, references and a résumé affect the decision. But once he has passed his trial period, he's in.

It's possible that he misrepresented himself, even lying on his résumé. But my hunch is that there's no getting rid of him without causing a big hoo-ha and making your life a living hell. If you do complain, and it doesn't go your way, you are going to be stuck with this gross dude, and it's going to be even more insufferable.

It's very difficult to not get emotionally involved at work. I've never been able to do it, although I try. I really do. Actually, let's be real. It's impossible. Cyclical thoughts. Imagining you can make a change. Plotting your revenge. Gathering your evidence and witnesses. Even if it's all in your mind.

In the end, it always ends up being a huge waste of time and energy, and it certainly won't make you look any better, trying to snitch someone out.

So, do your best to keep a cool head, live your life outside of work fully, leave your work baggage in your locker in the dressing room. You could, even, get a small box, and when you get frustrated, write down what happened, and fold that paper and lock it in that box. Just like you need to do with your stinky colleague. He's winning by getting to you. Just let it go.

Fraud victim, you will only be a victim if you allow yourself to be sucked into his vortex of yuck. Be stronger, calmer, wiser, and create your own, safe bubble to inhabit at work. more

Career development

7h

How Software Freshers Can Use AI to Prepare for Interviews

Preparing for software job interviews as a fresher can be confusing and stressful.

You may have the required skills, projects, and degree, but still face repeated rejections.

Sometimes the resume does not get shortlisted.

Sometimes the interview answers do not come out clearly.

Over time, confidence drops.

Most freshers are not rejected because they are weak.

They are rejected because they... do not know how to present themselves properly.

In this article, I'll explain how simple AI tools can help software freshers prepare faster, structure their answers better, and reduce confusion during interview preparation.

Using AI to Tailor Your Resume for Software Jobs

One of the most common mistakes software freshers make is using the same resume for every job.

Each job description asks for slightly different skills.

If your resume does not match those keywords, it may get rejected even before a human sees it.

AI can help solve this problem in a simple way.

Here is a basic method:

First, copy the full job description from the job posting.

Then, copy your current resume text.

Now, use an AI tool and ask it to rewrite your resume so that it matches the job description while keeping everything honest and true.

This does not mean lying or adding fake experience.

It simply means presenting the same skills and projects in a clearer and more relevant way.

Using this approach, freshers can customize their resumes in 10-15 minutes instead of sending the same resume everywhere.

While preparing for interviews, I realized that many freshers struggle with the same problems again and again.

So I created a simple, step-by-step AI preparation system specifically for software freshers who want a clear structure instead of random advice.

AI tools are not shortcuts, but they can save time and reduce confusion when used correctly.

If you are a software fresher preparing for interviews, the key is to stay consistent, prepare smartly, and focus on clear presentation.

Even small improvements in how you present your skills can make a big difference.

If you want a complete, ready-to-use AI interview preparation system for software freshers, you can find it here: more

Career development

9h

Hello mi neighbour | Face difficulties with a positive attitude

Wishing you peace, joy and happiness all your days! Already enjoying these? Been a while since you experienced such luxuries? If so, it's my sincere wish that that will change sooner than later. Maybe your melancholy mood prevents you from accepting these wishes at the moment. Empty words spoken ever so often? Are you thinking that if neighbours were genuine with these sentiments they would have... helped to pull you out of those circumstances that are causing you anxiety, despair and sadness? Can't make head or tail of life and just want someone to assist you? Life can certainly be difficult and confusing at times, but if we constantly fix our gaze on those difficulties, life will never improve for us. Many times the difficulties we face are designed to make us strong and sharpen our coping skills. Face them with a positive attitude and you will be glad they came. I wish you well.

It's important to note that not everyone who "wishes you well, means you well". Many times, kind wishes are expressed because they are expected or because it is the appropriate/polite thing to say under some circumstances. Do you think that everyone who wishes you a "happy birthday", a "happy anniversary" or success on your job interview really means it? Hmmmmm. It's common knowledge that expressions of goodwill don't always reflect genuine intentions, suggesting some people offer superficial support or may even secretly harbour ill will towards you. It's important therefore to be able to discern true friends from those with hidden motives by observing their actions and consistency, not just their words however profound they may sound. That so-called "good friend" who heard about your loss and turns up at your house to commiserate with you, may just show up to use your vulnerability to their advantage down the road. Not everything that glitters is gold. Not saying that you should go suspecting everybody now, and putting yourself at a disadvantage in a time of need. Just be subtly alert. Sometimes people are so jumpy that they "jump the gun" and have to bite the bullet. Don't be "trigger happy".

These scenarios can further put you on your guard. People may say "I wish you well" or "all the best" out of politeness, habit, or to appear supportive, even if they don't truly care about your happiness or success.

Some persons may offer suspicious-sounding well-wishes because they are jealous, competitive, or secretly hope for your downfall. Careful! Others might cloak ill-will in compliments, making it hard to tell if they genuinely want good for you. Sometimes it may be difficult to tell the difference between the genuine and the non-genuine, but by keeping your eyes and mind open, you will detect consistency/inconsistencies.

True well-wishers show up in actions, not just words, offering support during tough times, not just celebrating successes.

Pay close attention to how people make you feel; if someone's "wishes" feel disingenuous or leave you feeling worse than before, they may not have your best interests at heart. Would be a plus to to have a trusted friend/family member as a right hand who will assist you in being cautious, not blindly trusting everyone's kind words, and evaluating the sincerity of their intentions? And hey, even with this right-hand person, still "don't leave yourself careless" as we say in Jamaica- not everyone wants the best for you. Don't let others influence your mind and dictate how you should live your true passion. This is the age of deception.

Be not deceived. As you wish others well, bear the following in mind. "I wish you well" means you hope good things will happen to someone. It's a way to express goodwill and friendly feelings toward another person. Well wishes are kind words, either spoken or written, that share a desire for a person to have good health or good things etc. Not all friends are well-wishers. As you walk with others, don't just witness their journey, support it. Be careful. Careful loyalty is rare, and presence doesn't always mean love - and don't some people know that! Life improves when you learn to wish people well despite everything. Keep on wishing them well. And don't leave out those who may even hate or despise you. Here, I remember my mother and a good friend who kept on pouring out love on people who hated them. Loving your enemies always produces win-win outcomes. Guess you'll never know unless you try it eeh? Go for it...

The grace and love we extend to others is subconsciously the same that we give to ourselves. Love no matter what. Just because you wish someone well does not mean they have to return the favour. And don't feel obligated to to return a favour to someone who has done you a kind favour. Those who show kindness to others without expecting anything in return usually receive divine favour. Wouldn't you like to be blessed and highly favoured? Love your enemies as yourself.

Wishing you peace, joy and happiness all your days!

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING;

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business more

Career development

12h

The Truth About Recruit Holdings Co Ltd: Is This Quiet Japanese Giant Your Next Power Play?

Everyone's busy chasing flashy AI stocks while Recruit Holdings quietly powers the apps and job sites you actually use. Here's why this sleeper stock is suddenly on watchlists.

The internet is sleeping on Recruit Holdings Co Ltd right now - but if you've ever searched for a job, booked a restaurant, or swiped on a dating app, you've probably touched their world without even knowing it. So the... real talk question is: is this under-the-radar Japanese giant actually worth your money, or just another background player you can ignore?

Recruit is not a loud brand in the US, but its products are. Think job platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor, plus a big footprint in HR tech and matching services in Japan. It is not the kind of company that goes viral for a new gadget - it goes viral when people talk about job hunting, salary transparency, or how tech is changing work.

On TikTok and YouTube, you are more likely to see creators ranting or celebrating their job-search experience than dropping deep dives into Recruit's corporate structure. But here is the sneaky part: a lot of those experiences are powered by Recruit's platforms in the background. The clout is there - it is just indirect.

Want to see the receipts? Check the latest reviews here:

Right now, the social buzz is more about the platforms (Indeed, Glassdoor, and the whole job-hunt grind) than the parent company. But that is exactly why some investors are watching it: real-world impact, low social drama, steady monetization.

Before you even think about throwing cash at a stock, you need the basics: what does this company actually do, and is it worth the hype?

Here are the three biggest things you need to know about Recruit Holdings Co Ltd:

1. It is the shadow boss of your job search.

Recruit is a global HR and staffing powerhouse. Through businesses like Indeed and Glassdoor, it connects companies and workers at scale. It makes money from job ads, employer tools, and staffing solutions. In plain English: when companies are hiring, Recruit gets paid. When workers are searching and applying, Recruit's platforms are in the mix.

That means it is closely tied to the health of the job market. Strong hiring cycles? Revenue tailwind. Slowdowns and hiring freezes? More pressure. If you want a stock that tracks how the future of work is evolving, this sits right in the middle.

2. It is leaning hard into data and matching, not just old-school staffing.

Recruit is not just running job boards for clicks; it is trying to optimize the match between people and roles. The company invests in tech that improves search, recommendations, and employer tools. This is where the potential game-changer angle comes in: as hiring gets more digital and more automated, the platforms that own the data and the matching logic gain power.

Is it a must-have for your portfolio? That depends on how bullish you are on HR tech and online platforms outlasting traditional recruiters. The thesis: more people finding work online, more companies paying to stand out, more recurring revenue for Recruit.

3. It is diversified beyond just one brand.

Unlike a single-app company, Recruit spreads its bets. It operates across HR tech, staffing, and matching services in multiple regions, with a strong base in Japan and a huge online presence worldwide. That can smooth out market shocks a bit. But it also means you are not just betting on one platform; you are buying into a whole ecosystem.

Is it worth the hype right now? It is not a meme stock and it is not a sudden viral breakout. It is more of a slow-burn operator: less fireworks, more fundamentals.

If you want to know whether a stock is a game-changer or a total flop, you have to stack it against rivals. In Recruit's world, one of the biggest names it bumps into is LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft.

Reach and brand clout: LinkedIn is the public-facing flex. It is where people post promotions, humble-brag, and network. Recruit's brands like Indeed have massive reach in job listings and applications but less personal branding energy. For sheer social clout, LinkedIn wins.

Monetization style: LinkedIn leans on subscriptions and ads, especially from recruiters and sales professionals. Recruit's platforms focus more on job ads, employer listings, and staffing services. Both models scale with hiring trends, but LinkedIn gets an extra bump from people paying to boost their own profiles and networking power.

Who wins the clout war? In pure hype, LinkedIn and Microsoft easily dominate. In the actual trenches of job listings and applications, Recruit's platforms still carry serious weight, especially in markets where people go straight to job boards instead of social networking for work.

If you want the blue-chip, mega-cap, all-eyes-on-it play tied to hiring and careers, you go Microsoft via LinkedIn. If you want a more targeted bet on HR platforms and staffing that is listed in Japan and still under the mainstream US radar, you look at Recruit.

Time for the real talk.

Is Recruit a viral, must-have stock right now? No. It is not trending in the same way AI chips, EVs, or big social platforms are. You are not going to see it all over finfluencer feeds in the same way.

Is it quietly interesting if you care about the future of work and job platforms? Yes. Absolutely.

Here is how it breaks down:

Clout level: Low-key but legit. It powers real-life moments: job changes, career pivots, hiring booms. That is serious impact, even if the brand name is not plastered all over your feed.

Game-changer or background player? More background infrastructure than front-stage icon, but that does not mean weak. Its strength is in execution, data, and scale, not flashy announcements.

Price-performance: no-brainer or meh? That depends entirely on how the current stock price lines up with its earnings, growth outlook, and the job market cycle. You should check the latest market data and trends before making a move. What you are buying here is exposure to hiring activity, staffing demand, and the shift toward digital recruiting.

If you are hunting for a hyper-volatile, meme-ready rocket, this is probably a drop. If you want a more grounded play tied to how people actually get jobs, it might be a cautious cop after you do deeper research into valuation and risk.

Let us zoom out and talk markets, because this is where things get real for investors.

Stock identity check: Recruit Holdings Co Ltd is listed in Japan and tracked globally under the ISIN JP3970300004. That ISIN is your key ID if you are digging through international brokerage platforms or databases.

Live market status and price disclaimer: To know exactly what the stock is doing right now - price moves, volume, and short-term performance - you need to check a live financial source. If markets are closed when you look, you will only see the last close price, not real-time trading. Never rely on stale numbers when you are actually planning to buy or sell.

Use up-to-date platforms like major financial news sites or your broker's app to confirm the latest quote, recent trend, and how it is reacting to earnings, guidance, or macro news. Treat this article as a roadmap for what the company is and where it sits in the ecosystem, not as a live ticker.

Macro angle: Recruit's business is tied to hiring trends, corporate spending on recruitment, and how comfortable companies feel about future growth. When the economy is strong and businesses are hiring, its platforms and staffing arms can benefit. When companies freeze headcount, that adds pressure.

Risk check: You are exposed to:

- Shifts in the job market and economic cycles

- Competition from other platforms and big tech ecosystems

- Regulatory and regional differences, since it operates globally

Opportunity check: You gain exposure to:

- The ongoing shift from offline recruiting to digital, data-driven hiring

- Scalable online platforms that can reach both workers and employers

- A diversified tech-plus-staffing model based out of Japan but touching multiple regions

Bottom line: Recruit is not the loudest name in your feed, but it might be closer to your actual life than half the tickers trending on social. If you are building a portfolio around how people live, work, and switch jobs, this is one you at least research properly before you decide: cop or drop. more

Career development

15h

Job candidate lies about having a partner in an interview for a family-oriented company, she gets the job, then panics about keeping up the lie: 'They keep asking about my partner'

People lie in resumes and job interviews all the time, but what are they supposed to do after they get the job?

When you are on your job search journey, it's difficult not to be tempted to... improve your resume with credentials and skills you do not necessarily possess. If it helps to get your foot in the door, why not spruce up your experience?

Well, the main reason you shouldn't lie on your... resume or during a job interview is that if you end up getting that job, you can never let go of that lie. From the minute you start your new job until the moment you leave for good, you will have to stay true to whatever you wrote on your resume or said in the interview. Getting caught in that lie will not only break the trust between you and your employer, but it might also affect your career forever.

The funny thing about the lie the job candidate in the story below told is that it had nothing to do with her qualifications or experience. After getting rejected for so long, this candidate decided she would say whatever she thought would help her get the job, even if it wasn't true. This led her to lie during an interview with a family-oriented company, saying she was in a committed relationship to make her look more relatable.

For some reason, that worked, and the candidate got the job. However, she now has to pretend she has a partner and keep the lie going with anyone in the company. They keep asking her about her partner, their weekend plans, and so on, and there is no way for her to just admit that the partner is not actually real.

Whether or not it was even appropriate for the company to ask about the candidate's personal life during a job interview is another question some are asking, but it's still too late for that. Now the new hire has to figure out how she can keep working at this company without revealing she lied through her teeth during the interview.

What do you think she should do? Keep scrolling to read the full story and share your thoughts in the comments below. more

Donald Pirson

Career development

1d

I just got a project - building in Mumbai. A few issues came up with the contractors, so now I have to go there myself. I really don’t want to fly to India, especially for two weeks. I know it can be pretty dirty and not very safe. My boss is pushing me hard. I don’t want to risk my job, but I also don’t want to get sick while I’m there.
What would you do if you were me?

4

Bright Future Kindergarten Daycare Centre
16h
Get connected with someone you know there to help you
Petrus Nhlapo
19h
Safe your life money come and go.

FRANCIS WANYINA

Career development

1d

Hello professionals, Pr. Francis Wanns here in Kampala Uganda.

With my 10 years of Insurance Sales and middle management Experience both in Life and non Life products and at age 50 now, I feel like changing my job to a more settled one with better professional benefits to reduce physical hustles.

Please guide on what would be the very best response to this usual question by interviewers that... .... "how much do you expect to be paid here just in case you succeeded through this interviews and what other benefits would you look at from us"

more

1

Alix Moore
16h
If you had your P & C license you could get good benefits. I wish I had 10 years, I only have 2! Do you not get good commission? Do they provide... leads? more
Gladys E. Bustos
45
1d
Procurement. Energy and energy efficiency

Anonymous member

Career development

2d

I am 72 years old and not able toretire. I hadca incidence recently where I started a position working from home in a company I had never heard of. I started training on January 12, very intense training, which was saw using five different systems. The training jumped all over the place. There was no consistency at all to it. We were off on MLK birthday so when we came back to work, we had an... additional day of training tacked on. That was a total of two weeks. I work for a total of five days and then was terminated saying I did not catch on quick enough. Little did I know they have training every 2 weeks to onboard new nurses. I could not believe in 5 days with a preceptor and me asking questions with her answering half the question, I was terminated. D you think this is fair? more

4

Uma Aggarwal
1d
Two weeks training is a large investment by the company. May be their needs did not grow as expected. When you work for a voice at the other end of... the phone, it is hard to develop a rapport. Hope you did some due diligence on the company on the company before accepting the job.
In any case, you were not crazy about the way things were going. So better to cutoff early. Let it be their loss and a lesson for you. Do not let it get you down and continue your search. Good luck more
11 reply
Shawn P
1d
would you rather have a day off for Trumps bday?
-1

Career development

20h

Epstein Files Reveal Job Application From Albanian Woman

Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal the name of an Albanian woman among millions of pages made public in recent disclosures.

According to the files, the woman, identified by the initials E.T., applied in March 2017 for a position as a personal assistant. The materials show that she initially sent her résumé to an intermediary, whose name has been redacted in the... documents, expressing interest in the job.

Based on the résumé submitted, the applicant was living in Tirana at the time. In an email cited in the files, she wrote that she was interested in the position but noted she was not based in the United States, asking whether that would be an issue.

During subsequent correspondence, the intermediary requested that she submit three high-quality photographs along with her résumé. The applicant later sent the requested documents, as well as several personal photos.

After receiving the materials, the intermediary forwarded the email to Jeffrey Epstein, describing the applicant as a 21- to 22-year-old woman. Although the résumé stated that she lived in Tirana, the intermediary told Epstein that she was based in Paris and asked whether an interview should be arranged.

The list of attachments included the résumé, photographs and a video reportedly sent by the applicant as part of her application. The documents do not indicate that the Albanian woman had any direct communication with Epstein.

The disclosure is part of a broader release of records that continue to shed light on Epstein's network and recruitment practices. more

Silvia Truitt

Career development

5mo

My husband and parents don’t understand me. They ask how I could quit my job as a sous-chef and start working as a cook in a school cafeteria.
But I think this job is more important. When kids enjoy the food and even ask for more, it means a lot to me, more than a good review from a critic or a picky customer. Yes, I make less money, but it makes me feel really good.
Still my family doesn’t get... it.

more

63

AO Jordan
22h
Sous chef is no joke - pressure cooker of a job. You get to feed young bodies and minds - and find it joyful. Life is short enough - no need to reduce... happy years doing what you love. more
Abdul H Jaffar
4d
Often times that's what comes in the end of everything. Sacrifice. You made less, but you are happier. You may make more but you are less happy. The... price of that extra happiness is that amount of money that you have to give up. So happiness does have a price when you look at it like that. more

Career development

23h

If You're a Real Person Looking for a Job, the Flood of Fake AI Job Applications Will Make Your Blood Boil

"Within 12 hours of posting the role, we received more than 400 applications."

Still think getting a job in 2026 is as easy as walking in with a résumé and a firm handshake? You might want to read on.

In the United States, at least, the employment outlook is rough. After a horrendous year for employment, US jobs growth stalled out in December as layoffs and hiring freezes in areas like... construction and manufacturing take their toll on job growth numbers.

And beneath the official jobs data is a growing accessibility crisis. More and more job seekers are finding themselves shut out of the labor market -- not because there are no jobs to be had, but because torrents of AI slop are crowding them out of consideration.

Case in point: a few months back, tech publication The Markup posted an opening for an engineer role. As product director and editor Andrew Losowsky writes, the experience was an instructive look at just how much the job market has broken down.

"Within 12 hours of posting the role, we received more than 400 applications," Losowsky explained. "At first, most of these candidates seemed to be genuine. However, as the person who had to read them all, I quickly saw some red flags, which were all clear indicators of inauthenticity."

Those "red flags" included repeating contact information, broken or nonworking links to LinkedIn profiles, repetitive resume formatting, and non-residential mailing addresses.

In a response to prompts on the company's application form, most followed a "near-identical four-sentence pattern with minor variations." A number of applications included "ChatGPT says" in their answers, or included information that "almost perfectly matched our job description," Losowsky writes.

"In the most extreme case, one person claimed they had built our website and Blacklight [web privacy] tool (they hadn't)," the editor continues.

After just a day of that nonsense, the Markup removed its ad from job platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed. Instead, they opted for internal outreach and word-of-mouth. Though that undoubtedly limited their reach, it slowed the flood of fake applicants "to a trickle."

The publication has since found their engineer, but not without significant headaches. If you extrapolate this out to the rest of the job market, it's no wonder job seekers are calling 2025 the year of the "Great Frustration." Barring any major changes, 2026 could be even worse. more

Ben Weatherford

Career development

4d

I think I blew the interview yesterday because of how I answered one question “What would you do if you were the only survivor of a plane crash?”
I said that if I was fine and no one else needed help, I’d look through the passengers’ stuff to find a phone and call the police or rescue services. That seems pretty logical to me. But the HR immediately asked if that counts as stealing.
That really... made me stop and think, mainly about whether I even want to work there. If they already annoy me during the interview, it’ll probably be way worse once I’m actually working there. What do you think?

more

15

DERRICK KARANI
1d
You better do your own thing.
Steward Tony Pacheco
2d
Always answer honestly. As a professional headhunter, I was impressed with your answer & survivor reasoning. That’s what’s leaders do in tragic... situations while others cry over superficial idiocies. more
3