I was rejected for a job 6 minutes after I applied. I told the company that AI was screening out strong candidates.


Tellez said he told the company's HR chief that AI was filtering out qualified candidates.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tony Tellez, a 49-year-old IT professional based in Indianapolis. This story has been edited for length and clarity.

I started my career at the entry level and worked my way up to essentially running IT companies in the managed-services space,... overseeing IT operations for multiple clients. Recently, I found myself on the job market for the first time in 10 years. It's changed a lot.

I got some interviews right away, but I also got a lot of rejections. Nobody likes to be rejected. I've got children, rent, and animals to take care of, and those responsibilities start to weigh on you.

One Sunday night, my frustrations reached a breaking point. I had applied for a senior position at a managed-services firm that I was more than qualified for around 11:15 p.m. About six minutes later, I received an email that simply said, "We have declined your application." The company didn't even provide a reason like, "we're pursuing other candidates."

It didn't make any sense. I applied at a time when no one was likely to be manually reviewing résumés and rejecting them. I reread the job listing, and it clearly said that a bachelor's degree -- something I don't have -- was preferred but not required.

Also, my best friend is an HR consultant, and she made sure my résumé included all the necessary keywords. I even ran it through an open-source applicant-tracking system to check that it was well-optimized.

So, after I saw that rejection email come in, I went to the company's LinkedIn page, found their HR director, and sent him this message.

I sent it partly because it's already frustrating for someone to lose a job and have to search for a new one. It's even worse when you have to deal with rejection from a robot.

Another reason is that I've developed and deployed applicant tracking systems, so I understand what it takes to configure them properly. There's a problem here, and the company's leadership may not know that they're potentially missing out on quality candidates.

I haven't heard anything back, and I probably won't. The job listing is no longer up, so I don't know if it was filled. I just know that I'm not ready to retire anytime soon. I love working. I love fixing things.

I've since used AI to make my résumé more AI-friendly. You've got to fight fire with fire. However, I've also started targeting companies that say in their job listings that every résumé submitted is reviewed by a human. In some of my past jobs, I was responsible for hiring people, and I prided myself on reading every résumé that came in. It's crazy how much the job market has changed.
 
more
3   
  • Im so sorry. Even medical professionals with master’s degrees cant get hired. There is a manor issue with the entire process. I wish you the best of... luck and know that its not your fault, everyone is dealing with this mess more

1   
  • I do not know the tech industry but what I can say generally speaking which I could have benefitted from when I started my cleaning services is....1.... do your research and know the industry you are entering 2. look up competition 3. Get a mentor  more

  • Yes, fix your writing skills before pitching your ideas. Serious proposals get serious consideration.

Recruiter Defends 'Ghosting' Job Applicants Because They 'Probably Deserve It'


In a LinkedIn post that stirred controversy, Karla Nagorsen, a seasoned talent acquisition professional, made waves with her candid opinion on ghosting job applicants.

Applying for a job is a difficult process. When people send their résumés and cover letters to employers, many hope to at least get a response, whether or not they get an interview. Unfortunately, this isn't always the reality, as... it's become increasingly common to be stuck in a sort of limbo as to whether their application was even looked at.

Karla Nagorsen has worked in talent acquisition for four years at iVantage Group. She posted to LinkedIn, which was subsequently shared on Reddit's "r/LinkedInLunatics," a subreddit for people to share those on LinkedIn who engage in "rampant virtue signaling" and stories that seem too good to be true.

Nagorsen's post was actually shared due to the controversial nature of her opinion, in which she wrote, "Ghosted? You probably deserve it." The person who then posted it on Reddit sarcastically captioned it, "Can't imagine why recruiters have a bad reputation!"

voronaman | Shutterstock

Nagorsen pointed out that recruiters shouldn't shoulder all the blame for ghosting, asserting that sometimes the applicants themselves are to blame. In fact, she went so far as to suggest that some candidates were not just unfit for the job but also undesirable individuals altogether. "I don't always have time to call and tell you all the reasons you are a bad candidate/human," she continued.

RELATED: 1 in 10 Job Seekers Have Been Ghosted By A Recruiter For Asking This Simple Question, Survey Finds

The incident involved a candidate who cited "health reasons" for resigning from a job after being placed on an assignment by Nagorsen. "I placed a candidate on an assignment -- candidate called and needed to resign due to 'health reasons,'" she wrote.

However, a critical error on the candidate's part and a vigilant manager led to the exposure of their lie. It turned out that the candidate had used their work email to engage in negotiations with another company, which the manager discovered after they had already departed. "After the candidate left, the Manager scanned through all emails -- Manager sent me the email chain of the candidate negotiating an offer with a mother client (and staffing company)," she wrote.

To make matters worse, Nagorsen revealed that after failing to secure the other job, the candidate reached out to her company to regain their position. The audacious request only fueled Nagorsen's frustration, prompting her to share her opinion on ghosting.

Following a wave of backlash, Nagorsen ultimately deleted her LinkedIn post, leaving the remaining details of the story obscured. The incident, however, catalyzed a heated debate on the ethics of ghosting in the job application process.

RELATED: Recruiters Warn Workers That This 'Degrading' Method Of Applying For Jobs Doesn't Really Work Anymore

One person on LinkedIn said it was "a bit harsh and lacking empathy, understanding, or grace" to say that some candidates "deserve" to be ghosted. On Reddit, a job recruiter also weighed in on the debate. "I have been a recruiter for a long time now and have dealt with the good and bad in the industry -- candidates, clients and other recruiters. But venting about it on Social Media like LinkedIn is just immature," they wrote.

Pixel-Shot | Shutterstock

Another person defended her, saying that it was a mistake to post it, but she didn't deserve the harsh criticism. "I'm 100% positive that every single one of us has had a long day, had a bad take, or had a short temper at some point that wouldn't serve us well. She was just unfortunate enough to post it," they wrote.

Other people mentioned that a manager spying on a work email seemed like a "breach of some security protocol." However, according to a 2023 post from NOLO, a law encyclopedia, it is legal for employers to go through their employees' work emails as long as it pertains to a "valid business purpose."

So, it would've been wiser for the candidate to use a personal email to contact the other company and not lie about the reasoning for resigning, but they don't deserve to be called a bad human! Instead of blasting her opinion on LinkedIn, people suggested she should have more empathy and try to understand why the candidate would respond in this way. Maybe it's something that needs to be changed within the company, or how she communicates with candidates!

RELATED: Worker Petitions To Abolish 'Ghost Jobs' After Applying To Over 1000 Openings And Only Hearing Back From 22

Ethan Cotler is a writer and frequent contributor to YourTango, living in Boston. His writing covers entertainment, news, and human interest stories.
 
more

Job Application Assistant Needed


Here's How Burnout and Frustration Are Reshaping Job Searches in 2026


Extended search times and increased pressure to compromise are the hallmarks of the current job market.

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Monster.

For many workers, finding a job is no longer a short-term process -- it's becoming a prolonged and increasingly competitive effort.

According to recent job search statistics from the Monster Research Institute, 1 in 4 job seekers say... they've been searching for more than a year. At the same time, about 45% report searching for at least three months, highlighting how extended job hunts are becoming more common in today's labor market.

As searches stretch on, the experience is becoming more intense. Nearly 4 in 10 job seekers (39%) say they feel more pressure to get hired than in previous searches, and 46% say they're applying more broadly than before.

Key findings:

* 25% of job seekers have been searching for more than a year.

* 45% have been searching for at least three months.

* 39% say they feel more pressure to get hired than in previous searches.

* 46% are applying to a broader range of roles.

* 64% have applied to jobs outside their industry or typical role.

* 32% would accept a pay cut to secure a job.

* 73% would give up at least one major job benefit.

How Long Does It Take to Find a Job?

While some candidates find roles quickly, many others are navigating months-long or even year-long searches. With the average length of job searching taking over a year for 25% of job seekers and another large share searching for months, long job searches are no longer the exception -- they're part of the norm.

The data points to a job market where persistence is more important than ever, but longer timelines can make it harder to stay focused, especially when responses from employers are limited or delayed.

Candidates Are Expanding Their Search

In response to a competitive environment and job search strain, many job seekers are widening their approach.

Nearly half (46%) say they're applying to a broader range of roles than they have in the past. At the same time, 64% report applying to jobs outside their industry or typical role.

Among those expanding beyond their field:

* 20% say they're actively trying to change industries or roles.

* 44% say they've applied to a few roles outside their usual field.

This shift reflects a more flexible approach to job searching, as candidates prioritize landing a role, even if it's not a perfect match.

Job Seekers Are Making Trade-Offs

As searches continue, many candidates are becoming more open to compromise. Overall, 73% say they'd give up at least one major job benefit to secure a role.

As shown in the graphic below, nearly one-third (32%) say they would accept a pay cut to get hired:

* 13% would accept up to a 10% reduction.

* 11% would accept up to 20%.

* 8% would accept up to 30%.

Beyond pay, many are willing to adjust other expectations:

* 23% would give up full-time hours.

* 22% would consider leaving their preferred industry.

* 18% would give up title or seniority.

* 15% would give up remote work options.

Pressure Is Rising

Job search difficulty and longer searches are impacting strategy and affecting how job seekers feel. Nearly 4 in 10 (39%) say they feel more pressure to get hired compared to previous searches, while 30% say their level of urgency is about the same. Only 25% say they feel less pressure.

This growing sense of urgency can influence decision-making, from applying to more roles to considering opportunities that may not have been a first choice in the past.

What's Driving the Shift?

For many job seekers, expanding their search is a practical decision. Among those considering roles outside their usual field, the top motivations include:

* Better pay (33%)

* Job stability (29%)

* Work-life balance (23%)

* Remote flexibility (20%)

* Fewer opportunities in their industry (17%)

* Burnout (16%)

These factors highlight how both economic conditions and personal priorities are shaping job search trends in 2026.

What Does This Mean for Job Seekers?

A longer job search doesn't mean a stalled career -- it means adapting your strategy.

If your search is taking longer than expected:

* Focus on roles that align closely with your skills and experience.

* Stay open to adjacent opportunities that can build new skills.

* Continue networking to uncover opportunities beyond job boards.

* Be strategic about where and how often you apply.

The job market may feel more competitive, but persistence, flexibility, and a targeted approach can make a difference.

The Bottom Line

Today's job search is becoming longer, broader, and more complex for many candidates. As a result, job seekers are expanding their strategies, exploring new industries, and reconsidering what they're willing to accept in their next role.

While the process may take more time and create job search struggles, those who stay adaptable and focused are better positioned to navigate today's evolving job market.

Methodology

This survey was conducted by Monster on March 17, 2026, among 1,003 U.S. job seekers using the Pollfish platform. Respondents answered a mix of single-selection and multiple-choice questions about their job search experience and how it compares to previous searches.
 
more

LinkedIn for physicians is not optional in 2026


A physician without LinkedIn in 2026 is making a business mistake, a reputation mistake, and a public health mistake.

This is no longer about keeping up with social media. It is about controlling your professional identity in a world where search results, AI summaries, recruiters, hospital leaders, journalists, patients, and even opponents look you up before they call you. LinkedIn reports more... than 1.3 billion members worldwide. That makes it one of the largest professional databases on earth, not a side platform for people who like networking.

Physicians still underestimate what has changed. For years, a doctor could rely on referrals, hospital reputation, board certification, and a CV. That is over. Today, your digital footprint shapes whether people trust you, contact you, recruit you, quote you, or ignore you. KevinMD made this point years ago, first by arguing that physicians should claim a professional presence online, later by making the case that LinkedIn had become the best place for an online professional profile that supports career growth and visibility. That advice was right then. It is more urgent now.

I did not learn this in theory. I learned it in real life.

LinkedIn, of which I have been a member since 2010, brought me concrete opportunities as a physician. It opened doors to medical director's work, consulting, writing, leadership conversations, and professional relationships that would not have come from a static website or an old résumé. People found me there, saw what I had built, and understood my training, expertise, and point of view before the first conversation. That matters. In a crowded market, clarity gets attention.

Then came the harder lesson. When negative news and distorted narratives entered the public space around my name, LinkedIn became one of the few places where I could build a clean, credible, current public record in my own voice. It helped me show who I am, how I trained, what I published, what I lead, and what I stand for. It helped serious information rank higher. It helped stale or hostile material lose ground. That was not vanity. That was survival. LinkedIn also helped me keep publishing, supported the visibility of my books, and gave me a stronger platform while I fought back and later published Doctor Not Guilty.

Physicians need to stop thinking about LinkedIn as self-promotion. It is professional infrastructure and where people verify who you are. It is where opportunities start. It is where your public record gets organized before somebody else organizes it for you.

There is also a money issue here, and many physicians avoid saying it out loud. I have not seen a clean study proving that a LinkedIn profile directly causes physicians to earn more money. But the mechanism is plain. Visibility brings attention. Attention brings opportunities. Better opportunities usually mean better compensation. Physician Side Gigs makes the point directly for doctors pursuing advisory board roles, consulting, and other nonclinical work. Physicians who are visible, networked, and clear about their expertise get found. Those who stay invisible do not.

This matters even more for physicians who want leadership roles. Recruiters and organizations live on LinkedIn. LinkedIn's recruiting business states that hires sourced through LinkedIn are 37 percent less likely to leave in the first year than hires from other sources. Employers go where the signal is stronger. So if you want to become a medical director, chief medical officer, consultant, startup advisor, speaker, expert witness, or board member, staying absent from LinkedIn is not modesty. It is self-erasure.

The platform has also moved closer to direct business generation. LinkedIn now allows eligible members to add profile buttons such as Book an appointment, View my services, or Request services, depending on account type and features available. LinkedIn also supports Services Pages that let prospects send service requests. That means the platform is no longer only a place where people read about you. It is a place where they can move toward hiring you. For physicians offering consulting, speaking, executive advisory work, second opinions, education, media expertise, or other professional services, this matters. A strong profile is now closer to a landing page than a résumé.

Trust has become another reason physicians need to take LinkedIn seriously. In late 2025, LinkedIn announced that more than 100 million members had added a verification on the platform. In a world full of fake accounts, weak credentials, and misinformation, trusted identity matters. A current, professional, verifiable profile is now part of digital credibility. Physicians should care about that because our professions run on trust.

Then there is the AI layer, and this is where the issue gets bigger than career management. A 2026 Semrush analysis of 325,000 prompts across ChatGPT Search, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity found LinkedIn to be among the most cited domains in AI-generated answers, with roughly 11 percent citation share in the dataset. Whether that exact percentage shifts over time is not the main point. The point is that AI systems are already reading LinkedIn as a source of professional identity and expertise. Your profile is no longer only for human readers. It is part of the machine-readable layer of your reputation.

That should matter to every doctor because misinformation is now a daily feature of medicine. The World Health Organization defines an infodemic as too much information, including false or misleading information, that causes confusion and harmful behavior. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. If physicians stay absent from visible professional platforms, we leave the public conversation to louder people with less training, less accountability, and less concern for evidence. LinkedIn is one of the few large platforms where doctors can speak in a professional tone, reach colleagues and decision-makers, and still push back against falsehoods in public.

No, every physician does not need to become a full-time content creator. Every physician does need a current profile, a professional headshot, clear headline, accurate credentials, training, publications, leadership roles, and a short summary that explains who they are and what they do. And if you have expertise worth sharing, which you do, you should use LinkedIn enough to make your voice part of the record.

Medicine has changed. Reputation has changed. Search has changed. AI has changed. Many physicians are still acting like none of that affects them. That is naive.

In 2026, LinkedIn is not optional for physicians. It is a career asset. It is a credibility asset. It is a business asset. It is a reputation defense asset. It is also one place where physicians can push back against misinformation with facts, authority, and consistency.

If you are not there, or if your profile looks abandoned, you are letting the internet decide who you are.

That is a bad plan for any physician.

Muhamad Aly Rifai, known professionally as Dr. Rifai, is a psychiatrist, internist, addiction medicine physician, physician executive, author, and Forbes Business Council official contributor based in the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. He is the founder, chief executive officer, and chief medical officer of Blue Mountain Psychiatry, a multidisciplinary mental health and addiction medicine practice focused on psychiatry, telepsychiatry, brain health, integrated medical care, ketamine treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and evidence-based addiction treatment.

Dr. Rifai holds the Lehigh Valley Endowed Chair of Addiction Medicine and is board-certified in psychiatry, internal medicine, addiction medicine, and consultation-liaison psychiatry. He is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a fellow of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. A former president of the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society, he advocates for access to high-quality psychiatric care, ethical telemedicine, physician rights, and integrated behavioral health.
 
more

Biggest Résumé Mistakes and How You Can Avoid Them


Going into my first year of college, I had no clue what a résumé even was. I had experience, but none of my previous jobs required me to submit a résumé when I applied. So, when my on-campus job asked for one, I scrambled to throw it together. I asked everyone I could for their help. With a horrible résumé (and a ton of grace given by my boss), I was hired.

Now, as a student assistant in the... Journalism Dean's Office, I review résumés daily. This is a list of the biggest mistakes I see in the office and how you can fix them to improve your résumé and chances of getting hired.

Contact information

Contact information is located beneath your name at the top of your résumé. This section includes your phone number, email address, LinkedIn, city and state and portfolio (if you have one).

More than one email address

The first mistake I see in the contact information section is including more than one email address. A lot of college students think it's best to list both their student email and personal email address to give the employer more options to choose from. While this is a good idea in theory, it can be confusing for employers to figure out the best way to contact you. Instead, list the email address that you check most frequently, whether that's personal or school. If you're a graduating student, you should list your personal email and make a habit of checking it regularly.

Not including LinkedIn

If you do not have a LinkedIn profile in college, you're doing it wrong. LinkedIn is an extremely important form of social media used for networking with people in your industry. Although it is understandable not to have a LinkedIn profile your first year of college, it is highly recommended that you create one before the beginning of your sophomore year.

The next step is putting the hyperlink to your profile in your contact section. Don't just link it to the word "LinkedIn;" copy and paste the full URL to ensure your profile can still be accessed easily if your resume were to be printed.

Including a picture

In the United States, federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, age, etc. Including a picture on your résumé may trigger unconscious bias from your employer and prevent you from even making it to the interview stage. Some employers will even immediately reject résumés with photos to avoid potential discrimination accusations.

Education

This section is the most important information on your résumé as a college student. It includes your college, major, degree, GPA (if a 3.0 or above), expected graduation and minors or certificates, if applicable.

Getting your degree and major name wrong

This might be surprising to some, but in fact, many students get their degree and major wrong! All colleges have different degrees and major names, so it's important to check your school website for the official name of your degree.

High school information after your first year

As unfortunate as it is, employers don't care what you did in high school if you're a college student. It is much more important what you are doing in college, so high school should be completely omitted.

The exception to this rule is first-year college students. This is because until the end of the first semester of college, first-years do not have a GPA or much experience in their degree. That being said, it is generally recommended to remove your high school information from your education section after the first semester of freshman year, and definitely before the beginning of your sophomore year.

Experience

Your experience is the second most important information on your résumé. This section includes your past and present work experience with two to four detailed bullet points describing the work you did in each position, as well as the location and time frame you worked.

Missing detail

An important thing to remember when writing the bullet points for your experiences is to add detail! Employers don't just want to know what you did; they want to know how you did it. Instead of saying, "Wrote articles for Her Campus." You should say, "Wrote 6+ articles for Her Campus over topics of self-love, entertainment, culture, etc." This way of writing gives your employer a better understanding of your capabilities while quantifying your work and adding credibility.

Not including unpaid experiences

Unpaid experiences make up a large portion of a college student's experience. From internships to organizations, college students gain lots of unpaid experience. And many students think that because they did not earn a paycheck for these experiences, they cannot include them on their resume. That is not true. Employers care much more about the knowledge you have gained and experience you have in the position, rather than the amount of paid work you have.

Skills

Your skills section should always be the last section of your résumé. This section is a simple list of skills that you haven't expressed in your experience sections.

Soft skills

Your skills section should be solely hard skills. Things like teamwork, leadership and other soft skills are good to have, but they can easily be demonstrated in the bullet points of your experience section or in an interview.

Instead, include hard skills relevant to the job you are applying for. If you're a journalism major, your skills section should include things like AP style writing, video editing and photojournalism. You can also include programs that you are familiar with. Think Microsoft 360, Canva or Adobe. These kinds of skills will give your employer more information about the skills you possess.

Formatting

Although not a section, formatting your résumé the correct way is extremely important to the hiring process.

Using templates

As tempting as a super cute Canva or Word template is, do not give in! Most templates are formatted in a two-column style that doesn't scan well with applicant tracking systems (ATS). This means that your résumé could be thrown out before an actual human even takes a look at it. Instead, make your own one-column template that you can use over and over again.

Typos

This might sound like an obvious one, but it is so important to triple-check your résumé for spelling and grammar errors. Even one typo can get your résumé thrown in the trash. Employers tend to see typos as a liability later down the line. If you're not checking your résumé for misspellings, it signals to your employer that you'll make that mistake with important work as well.

More than one page

Résumés are recommended to be only one page in order to not overload your employer with unnecessary information. The average amount of time an employer spends reviewing a résumé is six to seven seconds. A résumé that is short and easy to read will allow your employer to focus less on trying to decipher your résumé and more on the skills you could bring to their team.

The most important thing to remember is that your résumé is a living document. This means that you can (and should) constantly be updating it. You should change your résumé for every application you submit.

Résumés are a hard skill to master, but once you understand the reasoning behind all the factors, it will all click and you'll have no trouble creating and editing your résumé.
 
more
7   
  • Describing WHAT you did is meaningless to me unless there are specific details of what those WHATs translated to RESULTS. What did you propose and... implement to improve the tasks you performed? What did they result in? Higher revenues? Quicker process times? Tasks are meaningless unless results of you performing them are improved. more

  • This post is highly appreciated! Thank you so much for all the tips in such a wonderful format. The removing high school from a resume is especially... helpful. I've been to job fairs where I've gotten assistance regarding my resume and no one advised me to remove high school from it! That part has been making it difficult to keep my resume at 1 page.  more

Recruiter Feels Heartbroken After Older Job Candidate Struggles With Basic Technology


Folks, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.

This is the kind of story that will probably make you upset.

Because it's tough to imagine being an old person right now trying to deal with all these technological advancements.

We'd like to think that most older people can kick back, relax, and retire, but the fact is that a lot of them are still struggling to make ends meet and they have to work.

In this... story, a person talked about how they felt bad for a job interview they helped conduct with an elderly man.

Read on and get all the details below.

"I'm not a recruiter, but I was asked to sit in on an interview a few days ago.

My only job was to chat a bit with one of the applicants to verify his language proficiency since I speak it well. After I finished my part, the rest of the team would continue.

Looking for a job as an older person is tough.

One of the last applicants we saw was an elderly man. He looked defeated even before we started, and it was obvious he had been away from the corporate environment for a long time.

He passed the language portion with me very well, but then one of the hiring managers asked him to share his screen to walk us through a short presentation. It took him a full 25 minutes just to figure out how.

He kept sharing the wrong screen, and the anxiety and fear started to become apparent.

And it's depressing for others to see them struggle with technology.

My God, it was so hard to watch him trying his best to connect with us and say the right things, even though it was clear his best days were behind him and he was very exhausted.

When he was fumbling for 25 minutes trying to share his screen, I wasn't annoyed with him at all.

To be honest, I felt a lump in my throat. This man deserves to be enjoying his retirement right now, not struggling and going through all of this.

Things are tough out there right now, especially for older folks looking for work.

This situation gave me a terrible feeling about what might be waiting for all of us in the future.

His CV was truly impressive; he must have had a great career in his time. But everyone on the call, including him, knew it wasn't going to work out.

We were all just playing our roles in a small, sad play.

There's no real point to this story, I just feel upset and suffocated by the whole thing. The entire situation was just depressing."

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an employee who figured out how to stop his manager from constantly stealing his phone charger.

And this is how readers reacted to this story.

This person shared a story.

And this Reddit user weighed in.

Maybe I'm a big softie, but these kinds of stories really tug at the heartstrings.

You gotta feel for a person in his situation.

And, a word of advice: if you see an older person having a hard time, HELP THEM OUT.

Technology is moving at the speed of light right now and a lot of people don't have the skills to make sense of it all.

Hopefully this poor guy landed a job somewhere...
 
more

Find My Resume on CareerBuilder: A Comprehensive Guide to Optimizing Your Profile - Cooking recipes, simple and delicious recipes for dishes on Cook Like Mom


So, you've just completed your resume, poured hours into crafting the perfect narrative of your professional journey, and now you're ready to get it in front of potential employers. A common first thought for many job seekers, myself included, is: "Where is my resume on CareerBuilder?" or more precisely, "How do I ensure my resume is actually discoverable by recruiters using CareerBuilder?" This... initial step can feel a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack if you're not entirely sure how the platform works. It's not just about uploading your document; it's about strategically making it visible and appealing to those who are actively seeking candidates like you.

My own experience with CareerBuilder, and other job boards for that matter, has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, I treated it like a digital filing cabinet - upload and forget. But the reality is, employers and recruiters often use sophisticated search filters and keywords to scour the vast database of resumes. If your resume is buried or not optimized, it's likely to be overlooked. The good news is that CareerBuilder offers a robust platform, and with a little understanding and effort, you can dramatically increase your chances of being found. This guide aims to demystify the process, offering practical steps and insights to not only help you find your resume on CareerBuilder but, more importantly, make sure it's working hard for you.

Before we dive into the specifics of finding your resume, it's crucial to grasp how CareerBuilder operates regarding candidate profiles and uploaded documents. CareerBuilder is essentially a massive database where job seekers can upload their resumes, and employers can search this database for candidates who match their requirements. When you upload a resume, CareerBuilder doesn't just store it as a static PDF. It parses the information, extracting keywords, skills, experience, and education to build a searchable profile for you. This parsing process is key to how recruiters find you.

Think of it this way: a recruiter types in search terms like "Java developer," "project manager," "marketing specialist," "five years experience," "Excel," "strategic planning," etc. CareerBuilder's system then sifts through its database and presents a list of candidates whose parsed profiles contain those keywords and qualifications. Therefore, simply having your resume uploaded is only half the battle. The other half is ensuring that the information CareerBuilder has extracted from your resume is accurate, comprehensive, and keyword-rich.

So, how do you actually go about finding your resume once it's uploaded? It's a straightforward process once you're logged into your CareerBuilder account. Here's a step-by-step approach:

From my own experience, it's always a good idea to periodically check this section. Sometimes, minor formatting issues can occur during the upload or parsing process, and catching these early can save you a lot of potential trouble. Seeing your resume displayed within the CareerBuilder system also gives you a tangible point of reference for the optimization steps we'll discuss later.

Now that you know how to find your resume on CareerBuilder, let's talk about why simply having it there isn't enough. An optimized profile is what truly makes your resume work for you. Recruiters are busy. They don't have time to scroll through pages of search results. They rely on keyword searches and filters to quickly narrow down their candidate pool. If your resume doesn't contain the right keywords or isn't structured in a way that CareerBuilder's system can easily interpret, you might as well not have uploaded it.

What does "optimized" mean in this context? It means ensuring that:

This is where the "find my resume on CareerBuilder" search query really becomes about maximizing your visibility and opportunities. It's an active process, not a passive one.

Optimizing your resume for CareerBuilder involves a multi-pronged approach, focusing on both the content of your resume document and how CareerBuilder presents your profile. Here are some in-depth strategies:

This is arguably the most critical aspect. You need to think like a recruiter. What terms would they use to find someone with your skills and experience?

For instance, if you're a marketing professional, you might search for terms like "digital marketing," "SEO," "SEM," "content marketing," "social media marketing," "email marketing," "campaign management," "lead generation," "marketing automation," "brand strategy," and specific platform names like "HubSpot" or "Marketo."

Your resume summary (or objective, if you're early in your career) is the first thing most recruiters will read after seeing your name and title. It's prime real estate for keywords and a concise overview of your value proposition.

This is where you provide the bulk of your qualifications and demonstrate your capabilities. Beyond just listing job duties, focus on accomplishments.

Many job seekers underestimate the power of a well-organized skills section. CareerBuilder's parsing system heavily relies on this to categorize candidates.

Don't overlook this section. List your degrees, the institutions you attended, and the years of attendance. If you have relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, CPA, Google Ads Certification), list them clearly. These are often key search criteria for employers.

It's vital to understand that CareerBuilder uses technology to "read" and interpret your resume. This is called parsing. The system extracts keywords, job titles, company names, dates, skills, and education. If your resume has an unusual format, uses graphics extensively, or has text embedded in images, the parser might struggle to extract the information accurately. This can lead to your profile not being fully searchable.

I've found that sometimes a resume that looks perfect on my screen might not parse perfectly on the job board. This is why the "preview" or "view parsed profile" feature is so important. It's your direct window into how the system sees your information.

Beyond the content of your resume, there are other factors that influence how easily your resume can be found on CareerBuilder. Being active on the platform and ensuring your profile is discoverable are key.

CareerBuilder offers options for controlling who can see your resume. It's essential to understand these settings to ensure you're not inadvertently making yourself invisible to recruiters.

An outdated resume is a less effective resume. Recruiters often filter by "last updated" or "date posted." If your resume hasn't been updated in a long time, it may appear less relevant or indicate a lack of current activity.

While this article focuses on finding and optimizing your resume for search, actively applying for jobs is another way to ensure your resume is seen. When you apply for a job directly through CareerBuilder, your resume is sent to the employer. This process also helps CareerBuilder's algorithms understand your job search preferences and can influence the types of jobs they recommend to you.

Here are some common questions job seekers have when navigating their resumes on CareerBuilder:

Ensuring your resume is found by recruiters on CareerBuilder hinges on two primary factors: making it searchable and making it appealing. Firstly, you must log into your CareerBuilder account, navigate to the "My Resumes" or "My Profile" section, and verify that your resume is set to "Public" or "Searchable." If it's set to private, recruiters won't be able to find it through database searches. Secondly, and arguably more importantly, your resume content must be optimized for the search algorithms and for human recruiters alike. This involves meticulous keyword research. You'll want to identify the terms employers are likely using to find candidates with your skills and experience - think industry-specific jargon, technical proficiencies, and sought-after soft skills. These keywords need to be naturally integrated throughout your resume, especially in your summary, experience descriptions, and skills section. Furthermore, quantifying your achievements with data and using strong action verbs will make your resume stand out when recruiters do find it. Regularly updating your resume with new experiences and skills also helps keep it fresh and relevant in the system.

When you upload a resume to CareerBuilder, you're essentially providing the raw material - your professional history, skills, and education in document form. CareerBuilder's system then *parses* this document, extracting key information to build a searchable candidate profile. This parsed profile can include fields for your skills, job titles, employers, education levels, and more. A CareerBuilder profile, therefore, is the structured, keyword-rich representation of your resume that the platform uses for its search functionality. While uploading a resume is a crucial first step, it's the information that CareerBuilder extracts and organizes into your profile that truly dictates your discoverability. You can often edit this parsed profile directly within your CareerBuilder account to ensure accuracy and completeness, which is a vital step beyond just uploading the initial document.

Yes, when your resume is set to public on CareerBuilder, recruiters who find your profile through their searches will typically be able to see your contact information, including your name, email address, and phone number. This is a fundamental aspect of the platform's design, enabling direct communication between employers and potential candidates. However, CareerBuilder also offers options for managing your privacy. You can often control which specific pieces of information are displayed. If you have concerns about privacy, it's always a good practice to review your account settings thoroughly. Some users might choose to use a secondary email address for their job search profiles to maintain separation from their primary personal or professional inbox. The default setting for a public resume is generally to share contact details to facilitate the recruitment process.

To stay relevant on CareerBuilder, it's highly recommended to update your resume at least every three to six months, and more frequently if you have significant new achievements or have acquired new skills. The job market is dynamic, and recruiters often use filters that include "date last updated" or "date posted" when searching for candidates. An older resume may appear less current or indicate a lack of recent activity, potentially causing it to be overlooked. Beyond just the date, you should update your resume whenever you complete a significant project, achieve a notable accomplishment, gain a new certification, or learn a new valuable skill. Regularly reviewing job descriptions in your field and incorporating those keywords into your resume also ensures it aligns with current industry demands. Think of it as a continuous improvement process. If you've recently changed jobs or taken on new responsibilities, those should be reflected immediately. Even small additions of quantified achievements can make a difference. The goal is to ensure your profile accurately represents your most up-to-date qualifications and experience, making it more attractive to hiring managers.

If CareerBuilder's parsing technology misinterprets your resume, it can lead to inaccuracies in your searchable profile, making it harder for recruiters to find you based on specific keywords or qualifications. For example, a skill might be misidentified, a job title could be incorrect, or dates might be jumbled. The good news is that CareerBuilder typically provides a way to review and edit the parsed information directly within your account. After uploading your resume, navigate to your profile or resume management section and look for an option to "View Parsed Profile" or "Edit Profile Information." This allows you to manually correct any errors, add missing details, or clarify information that the system may have misunderstood. It's crucial to use this feature. If the system doesn't recognize a particular skill or keyword because of formatting or an uncommon phrasing in your resume, you can often add it directly to the relevant fields in your CareerBuilder profile. This manual correction is a vital step to ensure your profile accurately reflects your capabilities and is optimally searchable.

Beyond the fundamental steps, there are some advanced strategies you can employ to boost your visibility on CareerBuilder. These often involve a deeper understanding of how recruiters use the platform.

While not directly about *finding* your existing resume, setting up job alerts and paying attention to recommended jobs can indirectly help. When you actively engage with the platform by searching for jobs and setting up alerts, CareerBuilder's algorithms learn more about your preferences. This can influence the types of jobs that appear in your personalized recommendations and, by extension, the types of candidates the system highlights to recruiters searching for similar roles. Ensure your search criteria for alerts are specific and aligned with your target roles.

CareerBuilder allows you to upload multiple resume versions. This can be a powerful tool if you're targeting different types of roles. You can tailor each resume version with specific keywords and focus areas relevant to a particular job family. For example, you might have one resume optimized for software engineering roles and another optimized for project management roles. When you upload a new version, make sure to label it clearly within your account so you know which is which. This ensures that when you apply for a job, you're sending the most relevant version.

It's important to distinguish between keywords within your uploaded resume document and keywords that you might explicitly add to your CareerBuilder profile fields (like skills, interests, or a personal summary section within the profile itself). Both are important. The parsing technology reads your document, but CareerBuilder also has structured fields designed for searchability. Ensure you're filling out all relevant profile sections completely and accurately, as these can act as direct search filters for recruiters. For instance, if your resume document mentions "Agile methodologies" but your "Skills" section in your profile explicitly lists "Agile," "Scrum," and "Kanban," you're reinforcing your qualifications and making yourself more discoverable through multiple search avenues.

Finding your resume on CareerBuilder is the first step, but the real power lies in optimizing it to work for you. By understanding how CareerBuilder's search and parsing technology functions, you can move from simply uploading a document to strategically positioning yourself for career opportunities. Consistent updating, meticulous keyword integration, and careful attention to your profile settings are not just good practices; they are essential components of a successful online job search strategy in today's competitive landscape.

My own journey with online job platforms like CareerBuilder has taught me that proactive engagement and continuous refinement are key. Don't just upload and hope for the best. Take the time to learn the platform, understand what recruiters are looking for, and invest in making your resume and profile as powerful and visible as possible. By following the steps and strategies outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to not only finding your resume on CareerBuilder but also ensuring it's a compelling tool that opens doors to new career possibilities.
 
more
3   
  • Try evening classes 8pm to 10pm

  • Not sure what country you are in but that’s a lot of hours which would make getting additional education difficult. You have to plan study time too... which is typically 2 or 3 additional hours of your time for every hour spent in class. A lot of companies in some countries actually encourage their employees to get more education and offer tuition reimbursement. Maybe it is time to look at other opportunities.  more

    2
3   
  • Tip I'm very ready for interview

    1
  • Tip: Be ready to describe a time you handled confidential information and how you ensured discretion — HR assistants must build trust.

    Example... question: "Can you give an example of a time you handled confidential employee information? How did you protect it?"

    How to answer (brief STAR structure):
    - Situation: briefly set the context (e.g., payroll discrepancy, disciplinary record).
    - Task: state your responsibility (e.g., review records, communicate outcome).
    - Action: explain concrete steps to protect confidentiality (limited access, secure files, encrypted email, follow company policy, disclose only to authorized parties).
    - Result: show positive outcome (issue resolved, no breaches, maintained trust).

    One-line practice answer: "When resolving a payroll discrepancy, I reviewed secure records on a company computer, discussed details only with payroll and the employee in a private meeting, logged all changes per policy, and the issue was resolved with no data exposure."
     more

How AI Job Assistants Are Changing the Job Search in 2026


We spent weeks comparing the top platforms, scoring each on features, results, brains, control, and price. Below is our top-15 list, plus tactics you can use today.

We built a five-point scorecard that mirrors the hurdles you and I face during a 2026 job search.

First, we asked, "Does the product cover more than one step?" A résumé writer helps, but a résumé writer that also submits applications... and rehearses interviews is a breakthrough. Breadth and depth of features carried the most weight.

Next came results. We hunted for hard evidence: Trustpilot scores, case studies, and independent surveys. One telling data point set the bar -- according to Huntr, tailored applications secure interviews at more than double the rate of generic blasts (5.75 percent vs 2.68 percent). Platforms that drive users toward that higher tier earned extra credit.

Third, we graded the tech itself. We looked for GPT-4 or GPT-5 integrations, proprietary matching algorithms, and any clever twist that delivers measurable improvement. Shiny dashboards without substance slipped down the list.

User control was our fourth lens. The best AI feels like a copilot, not a runaway Tesla. If you can preview, tweak, and veto what the bot sends, that's a win. If it fires off applications with zero transparency, that's a strike.

Finally, we weighed value. Price matters, but only in context. A free tool that saves an hour is great; a $40 subscription that replaces three separate services can be even better.

Each assistant received a composite score. The countdown that follows reflects those numbers, plain and simple.
 
more

'Fold Hands, Close Eyes': Bizarre Virtual Job Interview Leaves Internet Shocked


A bizarre virtual job interview experience shared by a chartered accountant has gone viral on social mediaA chartered accountant's viral Reddit post detailed a bizarre virtual job interview where she was allegedly told to sit in a "namaste" posture with closed eyes for 15 minutes. The incident triggered widespread online outrage over unprofessional hiring practices.

A bizarre virtual job... interview experience shared by a chartered accountant has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage and disbelief over unusual hiring practices in corporate workplaces.

Add Asianet Newsable as a Preferred Source

The incident came to light after the candidate posted on Reddit describing how she was allegedly instructed to sit in a "namaste" position with her eyes closed during an online interview. The unusual request left many internet users stunned, with several calling the process "humiliating" and "deeply unprofessional."

According to the viral Reddit post, the woman had applied for an accountant role through a recruitment agency. During the interview, she claimed the interviewer abruptly instructed her to join her hands and close her eyes while remaining silent.

"She asked me to close my eyes and sit in namaste posture," the candidate wrote in the post.

The applicant further alleged that the interviewer asked her to remain in that position for nearly 15 minutes while observing her reactions on camera.

"I was confused whether this was an interview or some meditation session," she reportedly wrote.

The post quickly gained traction online, with thousands of users reacting to the strange experience. Many questioned whether companies are increasingly crossing professional boundaries during recruitment processes.

Several social media users criticised the interviewer's conduct and expressed concern over psychological pressure tactics being used during hiring.

"This is not recruitment. This is manipulation," one user commented.

Also Read: Love Shopping But Tired Of Carrying Bags In Crowded Delhi Markets? This Startup Says, 'We'll Do It'

Another user joked: "Next round probably involves chanting mantras before salary negotiation."

The incident has reignited broader conversations about toxic work culture and unconventional hiring methods that job seekers increasingly encounter during interviews. Many users shared their own uncomfortable experiences involving aggressive questioning, unpaid assignments, personality tests, and excessive screening rounds.

Career experts say interviewers should maintain clear professional boundaries and avoid activities that may cause discomfort, embarrassment, or emotional distress to candidates. Human resource specialists also warned that unconventional behavioural experiments without consent can negatively impact employer reputation.

The viral discussion also highlighted the growing role of Reddit and social media platforms in exposing workplace culture issues. Posts describing strange interview experiences frequently gain attention online as frustrated candidates seek validation and advice from others navigating the job market.

While some users speculated that the interviewer may have been testing patience, mindfulness, or stress tolerance, many argued there are ethical and professional ways to evaluate such qualities without making candidates uncomfortable.

The company involved has not publicly responded to the allegations so far. However, the incident continues to spark debate online about whether hiring practices in some organisations are becoming increasingly intrusive and performative.

As the post spreads across social media, many professionals are now questioning where recruiters should draw the line between candidate assessment and personal dignity during interviews.

Also Read: Viral Clip Shows Pune Woman Buying Microwave At Midnight, Internet Calls It Peak Adult Money

Read Full Article
 
more
3   
  • Unfortunately this is the trend in many organizations now..

  • i think the best option is to have a chat with him/her discuss your difference, apologize and move on it's always good to create good relationship... even though the people you amending things with hates you, always make sure you remain professional and calm more

GETFund equips Service Personnel with skills for the job market - Metro TV Online


The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has organized an Entrepreneurship Seminar for its National Service Personnel (NSP) to equip them with essential employability and professional development skills, while fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The event took place at the GETFund Head Office on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with a strong focus on capacity building. Participants were... provided with practical tools and knowledge to help them navigate the nation's competitive job market and create opportunities for themselves beyond national service.

The seminar brought together experienced professionals who shared practical insights on communication, professionalism, career development, networking, and personal growth to prepare participants for the future.

Delivering the keynote address, Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Bailon Afful, encouraged participants to take advantage of every opportunity available to them. He urged them to network with colleagues across different units and departments in order to learn, grow, and broaden their career prospects.

Speaking at the event, a Principal Manager of Corporate Affairs at GETFund, Mr. Samuel Edem Assisi, emphasized the importance of effective communication in career development, describing communication as the "number one skill" every professional must possess.

He further encouraged participants to always understand their content and audience when communicating. Mr Edem advised them to master the "7Cs" of communication to enhance clarity, confidence, and professionalism in both personal and workplace interactions.

On her part, a Principal Manager of Operations, Grace Afari-Mensah (PhD), stated that beyond academic qualifications, employers increasingly seek qualities such as professionalism, communication skills, teamwork, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.

Presenting on how to build a strong Curriculum Vitae (CV), a Principal Manager of Human Resource at GETFund, Mrs. Pearl Ama Akordor, highlighted the key elements required in preparing a professional CV. She emphasized the need to include at least academic and professional references when writing a CV.
 
more

coworker wrote a sonnet about my absences, boss asked me if I was job hunting because of her, and more


It's five answers to five questions. Here we go...

1. My coworker wrote a sonnet about my absences

I am a teacher. We have professional development days every so often. I take sick time for about half of them. Recently on a PD day I was here for, one of the other teachers read (in front of my colleagues) a sonnet he wrote about me being absent frequently. It was written in a joking, or depending... on how you look at it, mocking tone. I was kind of stunned in the moment while it was happening and laughed it off.

I don't know this teacher very well, and he has only been in our district for a couple years. What he doesn't know is that the reason I'm often absent on those days is that after my son died, I had a hard time coming back to work. I couldn't make it through more than a week or so without being absent for one or two days. As part of a strategy to address that, my counselor and I came up with the idea to be absent on PD days and less on regular days -- that way the absences were less impactful on me and the students, and being out only on PD days gave me a goal to reach. I got better slowly, but it's still a process and I still struggle. PD days are still kind of a target to make it to for me -- a kind of relief valve. I'm trying to be out less of them, but it's slow progress.

The more I've thought about it, the more I feel like I have to respond to him, and I drafted an email (he works in another school and I have no desire to talk in person to him about this) professionally addressing the issue. In the email I told him why I am absent, and made it clear I'd not address this further. What's your opinion on sending it? I just don't feel like I can let it go, but I also have no desire to bring admin into the situation. Also, I feel like I should cc to the other teachers who were present when he read the poem.

I'm so sorry -- both for your loss and for this ass writing a poem to mock your coping strategy. Even if you missed a lot of PD days for some less sympathetic reason, he would have been out of line, and it doesn't sound like you have the sort of relationship with him where he could have reasonably expected that it would taken as good-humored ribbing.

I haven't seen the email you've written, but as long as it's short and matter-of-fact, just giving him the information he lacked, I think you can send it. If he has any sense at all, he'll feel mortified, and he should. I'm less convinced that you should cc the other teachers ... but I do wonder if there's someone you'd be comfortable confiding in who would quietly fill in others who were there so that you don't have to.

2. My boss asked me if I was job hunting because of her

I'm in an uncomfortable spot right now. My boss asked me point-blank during my yearly performance review if I was job hunting because of her. I deflected with a half truth -- that I'm job hunting because I need to make more money, and the only way to do that is to move up into a management position, which isn't a possibility at my current job.

The thing is, I'm also job hunting because of her. I could write a novel about her poor management, but that's not the point of this email.

How can I address how inappropriate that was with both my boss and with my grandboss (her supervisor)? It was a supremely uncomfortable moment, but more so because it happened during a meeting regarding my performance review. I have no doubt that whatever facial reaction I gave negatively impacted the review, and I've already had upper management (my great-great-grandboss) ask me about my review since it happened.

It's not outrageously inappropriate for a manager to ask an employee if they're job hunting, particularly in a review conversation where how things are going generally is being discussed. It can be a naive question because there's no reason to assume they'll get an honest answer, and it obviously can make the employee uncomfortable if that's not information they care to share -- but it's not so inherently out-of-line that you should raise it afterwards.

I can't tell if your manager already knew you were job-searching and only asked if it was because of her, or if she was asking whether you were job-searching, period. The former would make even more sense ("are there things we're doing that are driving you to want to leave?" is a reasonable thing to ask about) but neither would change what I said in my first paragraph.

For what it's worth, while she's welcome to ask the question, you're never obligated to disclose anything about a job search that you don't want to disclose. In most cases, it makes sense that say that you're not actively looking, regardless of whether or not you are. (There are some exceptions to this, but they're very much exceptions.)

3. Why would a company announce layoffs in advance?

This article makes Meta sound awful but also says that in April, Meta announced that it would lay off about 8,000 people in May. Their head of human resources is quoted as saying, "I know this leaves everyone with nearly a month of ambiguity which is incredibly unsettling."

Why would they publicly announce layoffs in this way? What's the benefit to the company's bottom line that makes the incredibly awful morale this brings worth it? I'd understand if they were offering employees to volunteer to be laid off, but it doesn't sound like they are. Are they afraid the info would leak? Do they get some benefit from telling shareholders? But is a month of time really worth that?

When a company announces layoffs in advance and tells specific people that they're being laid off, it can be to comply with the WARN Act, which requires employers with 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice of mass layoffs (or to provide an equivalent amount of severance in lieu of notice). But in cases like this, where they're not notifying specific employees and instead it's just a general announcement that layoffs are coming but no one knows who's affected, sometimes it's because they know word is likely to leak anyway and people will lose trust (or lose more trust) in leadership for denying that it's happening. Other times they're sending signals to investors about their management of the company, particularly if it's obvious they need to make cuts. And sometimes, too, they're hoping for attrition -- that if some people leave on their own, that's fewer layoffs for them to do. (That's generally a terrible idea since the people who can usually leave the fastest are likely to be your strongest employees.)

This question is timely because the first round of layoffs that Meta announced back in April happened yesterday. For some reason they chose to do it by informing employees that the people being laid off would receive an email letting them know at 4 am local time in their region (why?!).

4. How can I get back in touch with former coworkers who I really liked?

At my last job, I got along very well with most of my coworkers, but never became the type of friends to hang outside of work. There was also a pretty significant age gap, with me being about 20 years younger than the next youngest coworker.

I left this job to go back to school, which has been overall a good choice, but it can get a bit lonely. I miss spending time with my coworkers from my last job -- it wasn't a close relationship, but they were all really lovely and interesting people, and I enjoyed our lunchtime conversations. I'd like to see them again, but I'm really not sure if it would be appropriate to reach out and say this.

And, if it would be appropriate to reach out, what would be the best way to do this? Should I invite them all for a happy hour? Ask individuals to get coffee? Just send a general message expressing that I value their friendship?

I know I'm probably overthinking this, but it's hard to know what is normal this early in my career. Any advice or stories from you or the commenters would be appreciated.

Yes, tell them you'd love to catch up and suggest a happy hour (or, if you're geographically close enough during the day, a lunch during the work day like you used to do). Or if there are a couple of people who you especially clicked with, invite them to coffee! Any of those are fine and normal. (Personally I would be delighted if a much younger former coworker suggested that -- they may think you're not interested in keeping in touch because the age gap puts you in different stages of life and they might be honored to know you're actively interested in staying in touch.)

5. Our department chair doesn't know about major work I'm doing

I'm an assistant professor at a community college, where I've been on the faculty for a couple of years. I have a PhD, I publish actively, and I'm involved in curriculum development and department leadership. By most measures, I'm a engaged and productive faculty member. Previous to this position, I worked at a much more prestigious university but made this move so that I could prioritize my family (and I do truly love teaching at a community college).

Recently our department completed a hiring search, and during a conversation about the new hire, the newly appointed chair of the department made a comment that surprised me. She said she was excited because the new person would bring active scholarship and publishing to the department, and that no one else in the department does that kind of work. This isn't true. I publish. I present at national conferences. I've done this consistently since joining the faculty. My chair either doesn't know this or didn't think of it in the moment, but the effect was that my contributions were erased in a fairly public way, and despite my best efforts, it has really affected how I feel about the chair, the department, and the college in general.

I want to address this with my chair, but I'm not sure how. My goals are twofold: I'd like her to actually know what I'm doing professionally, and I'd like to understand whether there's something I should be doing differently to make my work more visible at the department or institutional level. I don't want this to come across as a complaint or as me being precious about recognition. I genuinely want to have a productive professional conversation, and I also want to feel like my work is legible to the department and college.

You can be pretty straightforward about it: "When you announced Valentina Smith's hiring, I was surprised that you said that no one else in the department is doing active scholarship and publishing! I wanted to make sure you know that I am doing ____ (fill in with specifics)."

Depending on her response, you might then say, "It made me wonder if there's more I should be doing to ensure that work is visible in the department and more broadly. Do you have thoughts on that?"
 
more

His Roommate Was So Bad That He Finally Decided to Get Revenge Instead of Putting Up With It Anymore


As we grow up, we're often taught of the importance of first impressions. Whether you're on a date or a job interview, starting school or meeting a partner's family for the first time, it's inevitable that their first impressions of you count for something. Of course, in a long-term relationship, like with in-laws, you can gradually change a person's impressions of you, but in a short-term... meeting, like an interview, you have no such chance.

This means that the kind of person an interviewer or a first date sees when you shake hands or say your name at the beginning is something that they'll hold onto as they're silently judging you, determining if you're a good fit for them. It sounds scary, but if you are a warm and open person, or a very knowledgeable team member, you really have nothing to worry about.

The real problem comes when you make a bad first impression. Not just being a little timid or cracking an awkward joke to break the ice - we're talking really bad stuff here. Saying something inappropriate, staring, dressing far too casually, swearing, injuring someone else - all these are reasons to believe that the first impression you made was poor, and to learn from that.

The guy in this story was keen to make a good impression on his new roommate, particularly since he was feeling low in his own self-esteem. But the first thing the new roommate said to him was a bad sign for things to come, with everything getting considerably worse from there.

Read on to find out what happened.

A few years ago, when I was in my early twenties, I moved in with a friend - we'll call him Bob.

Bob was a bit of a heavy drinker and partier, but mainly did so outside the house, so it was really no inconvenience. It was me and my (long since ex) girlfriend also living there.

I had lost my job and had been out of work for a while (not for lack of trying) in a very small town with not much to do for work.

Bob worked two jobs (he loved money and alcohol so much, he didn't mind if he hardly had a life to get to enjoy it) and my girlfriend worked in a nursing home during the day.

Let's see what kind of place this left the guy in this story in.

I felt pretty worthless, since I was no longer the breadwinner anymore, but did what I could to help out.

I got food stamps to take on the food situation for the household, cleaned, cooked and did whatever I could to keep anyone needing to do a thing once they were done working for the day. It was literally the least I could do given the circumstances.

About a month or two into our living arrangements, Bob suggested his old high school buddy (we'll call him Rick) move in. Bob explained that he worked on the boats and he would be gone for a month at a time and back for two weeks. Dry, rinse and repeat.

My girlfriend and I thought, shouldn't be a problem right? WRONG.

Uh-oh. Read on to find out what the issue with Rick was.

From moment one, day one, Rick was a major passive aggressive *******. Bob walked him over to introduce us and he shook my hand in a manner that he was obviously trying to crush my hand and intimidate me.

I could tell from how he looked and acted like an entitled *******, but what he did and said immediately after confirmed it: "So, you don't work and live here rent free? Must be why Bob asked me to move in. Sure is nice for you huh?"

Before I could say anything, Bob spoke up and clarified that while I didn't work, I kept the house clean, cooked and kept the fridge stocked, I was not mooching and was doing my part.

Rick proceeded to say," But his girlfriend works while he stays at home all day? That's totally not cool, it should be you taking care of her. Not the other way around."

Let's see what he had to say to Rick's mean comments.

While I totally agreed that I'd rather be there for her than the other way around, I didn't need this ******* commenting and making assumptions that this is what I wanted or needed to hear.

"Look, I don't enjoy being the one who stays at home while everyone else works. I'd rather be out there working, contributing and doing something worthwhile. This is not something I chose. If someone called me and offered me a job right now, I'd take it in a heartbeat. I'd prefer it if you stopped inferring that I'm just a lazy bum," I said as politely as I could, despite how angry I was.

Rick looked at me like I grew a second head or something and told me to calm down, like he hadn't said anything that was the least bit insulting, even though he clearly had.

He didn't apologise of course, and he eventually met my girlfriend when she came home.

But what happened when Rick was introduced to this guy's girlfriend was even worse.

Rick was very polite, but proceeded to make passive passes at her. "We need to find you a working man" or "You could use someone like me to treat you right." My girlfriend was less than enthused by this, and told him it was none of his business and she was more than happy with me.

So, from the get go, neither of us liked Rick at all. We resolved to keep as much space between him and us as possible.

Unfortunately, Rick had about as much social awareness, social cues, personal boundaries and proper etiquette as a rock. He constantly came barging into our living area, even after being told to either knock and be acknowledged to enter or not come in at all.

Also, Rick turned the upstairs half of the house into a two week long party central when he was home.

Yikes! This guy was truly out of control.

It was loud, between having over a dozen people all drunkenly stomping around and being loud, he was BLARING music so loud that the entire house was vibrating. His parties were also causing a huge mess in both the house and yard, as well as damage.

Rick and his buddies were also cleaning out the cupboards and fridge of all the food for the rest of us, effectively leaving the rest of us with nothing and having to re-buy the food out of pocket.

Bob was almost never home, he was either working or at a girlfriend's place. Even when he was home, he came in so drunk that he would pass out so hard he couldn't hear any of it.

He also woke up hungover and rushing into work, so he hardly noticed all that was going on.

So the couple decided to take matters into their own hands.

My girlfriend and I sat down with Bob and explained the situation to him. We explained that we had tried talking to Rick and telling him that he needed to quit coming into our living area all the time, and to either politely keep it down so my girlfriend could get some sleep for work or take it elsewhere.

We told him about the food, the major mess he was making and the damage to the house. Bob was livid. He told us that he'd have a talk with Rick and fix it. We hoped that would fix the issue. WRONG.

This clearly, like everything else, didn't get through at all. And from there, it only got worse.

The intrusions into our living area were more frequent, ruining our personal lives when Rick was home, and the parties got even bigger and more out of hand. A couple of times, the neighbours actually called the cops on Rick's parties and he still wouldn't calm down. It was a living hell.

After going through all this, it became clear that they were going to have to figure things out for themselves.

We now knew that the situation would never improve and further complaints would only make it worse than before. We couldn't move out given our financial situation and between us and Rick (being Bob's oldest and best friend), we didn't want to risk getting kicked out for causing issues. So I began finding ways to get back at Rick silently and without a way to try link it to us.

Firstly, he had to do his laundry downstairs since that's where the washer and dryer were located, in our living area. So whenever he had to put his laundry in the dryer, I'd stop it and pee in it before starting it up again. All his clothes and bedding smelled like straight up urine and he couldn't figure out why (Rick wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed).

Secondly, whenever Rick was gone, I'd go upstairs and dump out 75% of the alcohol out and replaced it with water. This reduced how loud and rambunctious he'd get, with the added bonus of having to go out and get more alcohol in the middle of the night. Effectively, we cut down the disruption by 50%, but it still persisted.

Thirdly, I would also, just for fun, put his toothbrush in the dirty toilet while he was out and put it back. Rick started complaining that he constantly tasted **** every time he used his toothbrush and that he couldn't understand why. This was just icing for me, but he actually had a lot of trouble hooking up with anyone because of it.

But when all of this didn't make much difference, they came up with an even more elaborate plan.

Eventually, despite all this, it didn't rid us of either his presence or behaviour, and it was still taking its toll on my girlfriend. This had continued for a few months before I concocted a way to get him out of the house longer.

Rick always left on the last Sunday of his two weeks off in the morning to return to the boats. He also had a big fancy truck with HUGE custom tires on it. These tires typically ran about $300 to $400 a tire and were special order tires, hard to find outside of ordering them online.

So, I started putting nails under a couple of his tires before he left, so they'd puncture his tires when he left, but they wouldn't go flat immediately. He'd get to the boats fine, but his tires would be flat.

Rick would have to stay a week or even the whole two weeks special ordering or tracking down new tires while he was stuck in the town he was in at a hotel. My girlfriend and I would either have just one week of misery or the whole thing being peace and quiet. It was glorious.

Finally, things started to look up.

This continued for about two or three months before Rick finally couldn't take all his misfortune anymore. He told Bob he was moving out when he got back and that it was because everything was going wrong since he moved in.

This was especially funny because Bob told us afterwards that he was planning to ask Rick to move out because he was trashing the house, driving up the utilities, eating all the food and refusing to pay the difference.

Rick finally showed up a week late from the boats because of the tire situation, so there was no time for him to relax, between finding somewhere to put his stuff, somewhere to live and move everything. This took him all of his final off week to do.

Finally, on his last day, Rick came busting into our room and started being rude and saying he was leaving because everything had been going wrong and felt off since he moved in, clearly wanting sympathy or something.

Let's see how they responded to Rick's attempts at garnering sympathy.

We just nodded and said that's tough while going about our business. Rick just kept going on and on about everything, despite the fact that we weren't paying him any attention and you could clearly see that we didn't care about anything he had to say.

Finally, we both got fed up and just looked him dead in the eye and told him he had been a terrible roommate who had no respect for anyone and that he deserved everything that was happening to him, plus some. He stormed off and we never saw him again.

Bob did tell us that he had been couch surfing since he moved out and that nobody would let him stay with them because of his behaviour. It was glorious and it brought a smirk to my face every time I heard it.

I've long since moved out and am no longer with that girlfriend, and my life is in a much better place. I lament to myself that maybe I was being too underhanded and vindictive, but this guy was toxic and in all honesty, he got what he deserved. I just hope no one else gets stuck rooming with this guy.

Wow, you've got to feel sorry for this guy going through this experience.

Sure, some of the things he did to Rick were a little mean, but sometimes when you're a horrible person to others, you have to stop and wonder if all the awful things that are happening to you are just a coincidence.

Given everything he put them through, he should probably look at it as karma.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about an apartment tenant who is being called petty for blocking her parking space with trash cans.

Let's see what folks on Reddit made of this.

This person was delighted with the revenge plot.

Though others took issue with one aspect in particular.

Meanwhile, this Redditor pointed out that his actions could have had dire consequences.

When someone is ruining your life week in, week out, like Rick was, sometimes perfectly reasonable people can be driven to do something crazy. And there's no question that these unhinged revenge strategies were crazy - it's just a bonus for the couple involved that they did, indeed, drive their horrible, disruptive housemate to leave.

But some of these pranks could have been downright dangerous, with Rick getting seriously ill, or his damaged car driving a stranger off the road. That really wouldn't have been okay, and could have actually landed the housemates in serious trouble. But as it was, all's well that ends well, and their constant, irritating schemes drove this menace of a housemate out of their lives.

It is absolutely not recommended to follow any kind of strategies like these. Instead, the tenants need to take up the issues with their landlord - in this couple's case, Bob. But for the guy in this story, at least all this drama is in the past. No more Rick. It's good to know that he's got his life together now - and hopefully he will never cross paths with this disrespectful loser again.
 
more

Recruiter Reveals Biggest Interview Mistakes Candidates Still Make - 20 May 2026 | O Heraldo


A recruiter's viral Reddit post has sparked widespread discussion online after revealing how candidates often damage their chances in job interviews by being "too honest" instead of giving polished, strategic answers.

The post, titled "Things recruiters know you're lying about in interviews (and honestly we expect it)," was shared on the popular subreddit r/recruitinghell. In the lengthy... explanation, the recruiter argued that interviews function more like sales conversations rather than completely transparent discussions, meaning candidates are expected to carefully present themselves instead of sharing every blunt opinion.

One of the biggest mistakes, according to the recruiter, involves speaking negatively about former employers. Candidates who openly criticised toxic managers, poor office culture, or workplace conflicts often unintentionally created doubts in the minds of recruiters. Even when the complaints were genuine, interviewers sometimes viewed such responses as warning signs about how the person might behave in future workplaces.

Instead, the recruiter advised candidates to frame their job changes around growth opportunities, professional learning, career progression, or the desire for greater responsibility.

The post also touched on salary negotiations. The recruiter claimed many companies ask about previous compensation levels to maintain lower salary offers, especially if candidates were underpaid in earlier jobs. Applicants were encouraged to focus discussions around current market value, experience, and skills instead of relying solely on past salary figures.

Another commonly discussed topic involved the famous "Where do you see yourself in five years?" question. According to the recruiter, employers are not necessarily expecting a perfect life plan. Rather, they look for signs of ambition, stability, and commitment to long-term professional growth.

The recruiter further argued that highly talented candidates often undersell themselves during interviews. Many describe their achievements as pure luck or only as team efforts, while less qualified applicants frequently present themselves with far greater confidence.

"A resume is marketing, not autobiography," the recruiter wrote, explaining that resumes are designed to secure interviews rather than document every single career detail.

The post quickly gained attention online, with users sharing personal interview stories. One user wrote that people often say "insane stuff" during interviews, recalling a customer support candidate who answered "I hate people" when asked about his biggest weakness.

Another user admitted struggling with self-confidence during interviews due to being taught from childhood that bragging was wrong. Several commenters agreed that many professionals unknowingly downplay their own accomplishments.

The discussion highlighted how modern hiring processes often reward candidates who know how to position themselves effectively rather than those who simply reveal every detail with complete honesty.
 
more